New York City residents seeking housing assistance may see a positive development later this year as Mayor Eric Adams plans to issue thousands of federal rental assistance vouchers and reopen applications for the first time in nearly 15 years.
However, there is a flip side, as some individuals who have been waiting for years might face exclusion due to their names being removed from the extensive Section 8 waiting list for administrative reasons.
The city’s decision to resume accepting new Section 8 applications comes in response to challenges such as escalating rents, a diminishing housing supply, and a record-high homeless population fueled by both newly arrived migrants and long-time residents unable to afford permanent housing.
Mayor Adams briefly outlined the proposal during his recent State of the City address, expressing the intention to distribute “1,000 vouchers a month” to low-income households sometime this year.
However, concrete details, including a clear timeline for accepting applications and implementing the mentioned subsidy rate, are currently unavailable.
New York City already supports nearly 100,000 households with Section 8 vouchers, administered primarily by the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA).
Approximately 7,000 applicants remain on the waiting list, a significant reduction from the list’s peak of over 100,000 households five years ago.
NYCHA spokesperson Michael Horgan emphasized the agency’s commitment to affordable housing, stating that the remaining applicants would be contacted, and vouchers issued based on factors such as application date and preferences, giving priority to groups like homeless individuals, victims of domestic violence, and people with disabilities.
How Section 8 Helps with Housing Costs
Section 8, officially known as the Housing Choice Voucher program, is regarded as a premier housing assistance tool backed by the federal government.
Unlike other programs, it has no expiration date once recipients secure an apartment, ensuring continuous support as long as income qualifications are met.
In New York City, income thresholds for eligibility stand at just under $50,000 per year for individuals and $70,600 for a family of four.
Recipients contribute 30% of their income towards rent, with Section 8 covering the remainder up to a federally determined “fair market” threshold. The vouchers are applicable nationwide, provided landlords accept them.
Despite legal protections against rejecting tenants based on Section 8 or other subsidies, the practice persists, leading to challenges for new recipients who must secure housing within a 120-day window to retain their vouchers.
Application Process and Waiting List
NYCHA closed the Section 8 waiting list in December 2009, reopening it only under specific circumstances. The agency reduced the list by over 90% in recent years through various measures, including issuing emergency housing vouchers during the COVID-19 pandemic and removing ineligible applicants.
While NYCHA is set to reopen the application portal later this year, the exact timeline remains unspecified. Housing advocates encourage those on the waiting list to stay updated and maintain accurate information through NYCHA’s Self-Service Portal or Customer Contact Center.
Challenges and Uncertainties
Despite the positive impact of issuing more vouchers, challenges persist. Approximately 4,500 households with NYCHA-issued Section 8 vouchers are currently seeking apartments. The complexity of finding willing landlords and enforcing anti-discrimination laws further complicates the process.
Housing advocates stress the need for the city to pair the voucher initiative with stringent measures against owners and real estate agents refusing to accept them.
There is also a call for increased enforcement of laws addressing “source of income discrimination.”
While the announcement of additional Section 8 vouchers is promising, there is a shared sentiment among housing advocates and applicants for clearer details on how the initiative will be implemented to address the ongoing housing crisis in New York City.
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I’m in the shelter and I applied for housing. Will I be able to get section 8 or Do I have to be already in NYCHA?
Jacguella,
Thanks for reaching out. Contact NYCHA https://www.nyc.gov/site/nycha/index.page and your elected officals. communty board, etc., to ask your questions until you get an answer.
Let us know how it’s going.
Thanks
Kyle, HMW