Where to explore for Section 8 in New York

In New York State, you explore for Section 8 through your local Public Housing Authority (PHA), not through a state office or online portal. Each county and city runs its own waiting list, so where you explore depends on where you want to live. If you want to live in New York City, you explore to the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). If you want to live elsewhere in the state — Buffalo, Rochester, Albany, or any other area — you explore to that county's or city's PHA.

You cannot explore online for Section 8 in most of New York. Instead, you visit the PHA office in person or call to ask how they currently accept applications. Some PHAs accept paper applications by mail; others have you come in during specific process periods. NYCHA, which handles the largest waiting list in the state, periodically opens and closes its process period — sometimes for just a few weeks per year. When NYCHA's list is open, you can explore in person at any NYCHA office or by mail.

Before you go, gather the documents you will need. The PHA will ask for proof of identity (a driver's license, passport, or state ID), proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer), and proof of residency or intent to live in that area. If you are currently homeless or living in a shelter, bring documentation of that instead. Bring your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for each household member.

Key Takeaways

  • You explore to the Public Housing Authority that serves the area where you want to live — NYCHA for New York City, or your county or city PHA for elsewhere in the state.
  • Most New York PHAs do not accept online applications; you explore in person during open periods or by mail, and you must call ahead to learn when applications are being taken.
  • Bring proof of identity, proof of income, and proof of residency or homelessness, plus Social Security numbers for all household members.
  • Waiting lists in New York are very long — NYCHA's list has tens of thousands of people — and you may wait years before being contacted.
  • Once you are on the list, you must update your contact information if you move, or the PHA may remove you for not responding to offers.

What documents you need to bring

The PHA will verify your identity, income, and household composition. Bring an original or certified copy of your birth certificate for each household member, or a passport. For identity, bring a government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, state ID, or passport. If you do not have a photo ID, ask the PHA what documents they will accept instead.

For income, bring recent pay stubs (usually the last 30 days), tax returns from the past two years, or a letter from your employer on company letterhead stating your job title and annual salary. If you receive unemployment benefits, Social Security, disability, child support, or other income, bring documentation of that too — a benefits statement, award letter, or bank statement showing deposits. If you have no income, bring a statement explaining your situation.

For residency, bring a lease, utility bill, or other document showing your current address. If you are homeless or in a shelter, bring a letter from the shelter or a social worker confirming your status. If you are moving to New York and do not yet live there, some PHAs will accept a letter stating your intent to move to the area, though policies vary — call ahead to ask.

How waiting lists work in New York

When you are added to a PHA's waiting list, you are assigned a position based on when you applied. The list is not first-come, first-served in the way you might expect. Instead, most PHAs use a preference system that moves certain households higher on the list. Preferences typically go to people who are homeless, people with disabilities, people who work in the area, and people who are being displaced by government action. Ask your PHA which preferences they use, because they vary by location.

New York's waiting lists are extremely long. NYCHA's main list has tens of thousands of households, and the average wait time is measured in years, not months. Some smaller PHAs outside New York City have shorter waits, but you should expect to wait at least one to three years, and possibly much longer. During this time, you remain on the list only if you keep your contact information current with the PHA.

If the PHA tries to contact you and you do not respond, or if your address changes and you do not update it, you may be removed from the list. The PHA will send notices to the address you provided when you applied. If you move, call the PHA when ready and give them your new address and phone number. Some PHAs let you update this information online or by phone; others require you to visit in person.

Income limits and rent calculations

Section 8 has income limits that vary by household size and by county in New York. The limit is based on the area's median income — usually 50% or 80% of the area median income, depending on the program. For example, the income limit for a single person in New York City is different from the limit in rural upstate New York. You can find the current income limits for your area on the PHA's website or by calling them.

If your income is above the limit when you explore, you will not be added to the list. If your income is below the limit when you are offered a voucher, you will be income-may be able to access at that time. Your income can increase after you receive a voucher without losing it, up to certain thresholds — the PHA will explain this when you are offered housing.

When you receive a Section 8 voucher and find an apartment, your rent is calculated as a percentage of your income — typically 30% of your gross monthly income. The PHA pays the landlord the difference between your share and the fair market rent for that unit. If you find a unit that costs less than the fair market rent, your share of the rent goes down. If the unit costs more, you pay the difference out of pocket, or you must find a different unit.

What happens after you are on the waiting list

While you wait, the PHA will contact you when a voucher becomes available. This contact usually comes by phone or mail to the address you provided. When they reach you, they will tell you how long you have to respond — typically 10 to 30 days — and what the next steps are. If you do not respond within that time, you may lose your place on the list.

Once you respond and are ready to search for housing, the PHA will give you a voucher and explain the rules. You will have a limited amount of time — usually 60 to 120 days — to find a landlord who accepts Section 8 and sign a lease. The landlord's unit must pass a PHA inspection and meet housing quality standards. If you cannot find housing within the time allowed, you may lose your voucher and have to reapply.

After you move into a Section 8 apartment, you will have an annual lease renewal with the PHA. They will verify your income and household composition each year. Your rent share may change if your income changes. You must report any changes in household size, income, or employment to the PHA within 30 days, or you may lose your benefits.

explore outside New York City

If you want to live in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, or another city or county outside New York City, contact that area's PHA directly. Each one has its own waiting list, process process, and timeline. Some accept applications year-round; others open their lists only during certain months. Some have short waits of a few months; others have waits of several years.

To find your local PHA, search online for "[your city] Public Housing Authority" or "[your county] Housing Authority." You can also call your city or county government office and ask for the housing authority's contact information. Once you have the number, call and ask when they are taking applications, what documents you need, and whether you can explore by mail or must come in person.

If you are moving to New York from out of state, some PHAs will put you on their waiting list even if you do not yet live in their area. Others require you to already live in the county or city. Ask the PHA about their residency requirement before you explore.

What to do if the waiting list is closed

Many New York PHAs close their waiting lists when they become too long to manage. NYCHA, for example, opens its list for a few weeks every few years, then closes it again. If the list is closed when you call, ask the PHA when they expect to open it again. Some can tell you a rough timeline; others cannot predict it.

While you wait for the list to reopen, you can explore other housing options. Look into public housing directly — some PHAs have public housing apartments available without going through the Section 8 waiting list, though these also have waiting lists. Ask about emergency housing programs, rapid rehousing, or other local information if you are currently homeless or at risk of homelessness. Your local 211 service (dial 211 or visit 211.org) can connect you to these programs.

You can also contact your city council member or state representative and ask if they have information about when the waiting list will reopen. Some elected officials track this information and can sometimes advocate for you to be added to a list that is technically closed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be on multiple waiting lists at the same time?

Yes. You can explore to NYCHA and also explore to PHAs in other counties or cities. Each PHA maintains its own separate list. If you are offered a voucher from one PHA and you accept it, you should notify the other PHAs that you are no longer interested, so they can remove you from their lists.

What if I have a criminal record or eviction history?

Criminal history and eviction history do not automatically disqualify you from Section 8, but the PHA will review your background. Certain serious crimes, drug-related convictions, and recent evictions may make you ineligible. Call your local PHA and ask about their specific policies before you explore, so you know what to expect.

Do I have to be a U.S. citizen to get Section 8?

No, but you must be a lawful permanent resident or have a valid visa. Mixed-status households (where some members are citizens and others are not) may be may be able to access, but the rules are complex. Ask your PHA about your specific situation before you explore.

What if I move after I am on the waiting list?

Call your PHA when ready and give them your new address and phone number. If you move to a different county or city, you will need to explore to that area's PHA separately — your old PHA's voucher does not transfer. Some PHAs allow you to transfer between their offices within the same county, but you must ask.

Can I explore if I am currently in a shelter?

Yes. Bring a letter from the shelter or a social worker confirming where you are living. Many PHAs give preference to people who are homeless, which may move you higher on the waiting list than someone with stable housing.