Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program helps low-income New Yorkers rent or buy safe, affordable housing.

This program supports:

• Low-income families
• Displaced families
• Disabled individuals
• Seniors
• Veterans

You may qualify if you:

• Meet income limits based on your household size and location
• Are a U.S. citizen or have eligible immigration status
• Have a valid Social Security number

If you qualify, NYS Homes and Community Renewal (NYSHCR) will pay part of your rent through a voucher that goes to your landlord each month.

The voucher stays with your household as long as you remain eligible—even if you move to a new home.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds this program. 

New Applicants

You can apply online for open Section 8 waiting lists through the MyHousing Portal.

Apply Online

If you’d like to submit a paper application, you can apply with your local Section 8 program administrator.

Find your local program administrator.

Returning Applicants

If a new waiting list opens up, you can use the MyHousing Portal to add additional waiting lists to your application. 

Add a new waiting list to your application.

Existing applicants who want to make updates to their account information should register for an NY.gov account if you don’t already have one. You will then link your NY.gov account to the MyHousing Portal.

For more information about how new and returning applicants can access and use their accounts, please visit the Section 8 Portal help page. 

Participants of the HCV program are required to complete an Annual Recertification every year. You can now submit your Annual Recertification online through the MyHousing Portal.

For help using the MyHousing Portal, check out our user guides, videos and FAQs at any time. Or, contact our Call Center at 833-791-2748 (available Monday through Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm).

If you have any questions about the Annual Recertification process or your case, please contact your case manager. If you do not know who your case manager is, please contact the Local Administrator for the county where you live.

Project-Based Vouchers (PBVs) are part of the Section 8 program. They provide rental assistance for certain apartment units in properties with a Project-Based Section 8 contract. If you move out, the voucher will stay with that unit.

Each building usually has its own waiting list. You can apply to as many lists as you like. Apply directly with the local program administrator in the city or county where the building is located.  

The organizations listed below can help you apply for the Housing Choice Voucher Program. Some organizations also offer Homeownership, Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS), and Project-Based Vouchers (PBVs) programs.

Here’s who to contact based on where you live:

Key: Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)
Homeownership (H)
Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS)
Project-Based Vouchers (PBVs)

For more information on how to apply, see the Section 8 MyHousing Portal resources page. 

The MyHousing Portal can be used by landlords, applicants, and certain residents participating in the NYS Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) or Project-Based Voucher (PBV) programs.

Applicants can review waiting lists and update their application.

Residents can respond to annual recertification requests and send documents securely to their caseworker.

Landlords can view issued payments, tenant information, and inspection details.

For more information, see the Section 8 Portal resources page.

MyHousing Portal

For help registering your MyHousing Portal account, you can contact our Call Center at 833-791-2748. The Call Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.