The Housing Choice Voucher program, more commonly known as “Section 8,” was created more than 40 years ago. In short, it makes market-rate housing more affordable for eligible residents by supplementing rental costs, which is a win-win for both tenants and landlords.

Bronx Rentals Under $2,250 on StreetEasy Article continues below

Kingsbridge Heights

80 Van Cortlandt Park South

$1,868 No Fee

2 |

1

Morris Park

1575 Williambridge Road

$2,150 No Fee

2 |

1

Hunts Point

875 Hunt’s Point Avenue

$1,950 No Fee

2 |

1

Kingsbridge

3120 Corlear Avenue

$2,095 No Fee

1 |

1

Kingsbridge

3120 Corlear Avenue

$1,625 No Fee

Studio |

1

Soundview

1770 East 172nd Street

$1,950 No Fee

2 |

1

Highbridge

1030 Woodycrest Avenue

$1,825 No Fee

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1

University Heights

2337 Andrews Avenue North

$2,118 No Fee

2 |

1

Concourse

1127 Sheridan Avenue

$1,800 No Fee

1 |

1

Concourse

1279 Morris Avenue

$2,195 No Fee

2 |

1

Concourse

711 Walton Avenue

$1,895 No Fee

2 |

1

Concourse

721 Walton Avenue

$1,500 No Fee

1 |

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What Is Section 8 Rental Assistance?

The government program provides low-income families, older adults, and people with disabilities with rental assistance in the private housing sector. Eligibility for this program is determined by household size and annual gross income.

Once admitted to the program, participants receive a voucher to begin their home search in the neighborhood of their choice. Typically, families pay approximately 30%, but up to 40% of their adjusted monthly income* on rent, and the program takes care of the difference in rent costs with a subsidy paid to the landlord directly.

* What’s adjusted gross monthly income? It’s your monthly taxable income minus allowable deductions per the Internal Revenue Service.

Brooklyn Rentals Under $2,250 on StreetEasy Article continues below

Bensonhurst

1930 Bay Ridge Parkway

$1,700 No Fee

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1

Carroll Gardens

105 Luquer Street

$1,254 No Fee

Studio |

1

Coney Island

3086 West 1st Street

$1,750 No Fee

2 |

1

Crown Heights

1901 Bergen Street

$2,000 No Fee

2 |

1

Bath Beach

180 Bay 26th Street

$2,100 No Fee

2 |

1

Bedford-Stuyvesant

146 Herkimer Street

$1,700 No Fee

1 |

1

Sheepshead Bay

2775 East 16th Street

$1,600 No Fee

Studio |

1

Fort Hamilton

358 86th Street

$1,550 No Fee

Studio |

1

Bath Beach

172 Bay 28th Street

$1,899 No Fee

2 |

1

East Flatbush

1165 East 54th Street

$2,249 No Fee

2 |

1

Brownsville

1028 Clarkson Avenue

$2,050 No Fee

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1

Fort Hamilton

441 95th Street

$2,100 No Fee

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How to Apply for Section 8 Rental Assistance

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), New York City Housing and Preservation Department (HPD), and New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) run separate voucher assistance programs, more commonly known as Section 8. The three organizations operate independently and have different eligibility requirements. NYCHA stopped accepting new applications in 2009 because their waitlist is exceptionally long. HPD’s program does not offer vouchers to the general public; Prospective tenants must live in a building being developed or renovated under an HDP program or be unhoused individuals referred by the Department of Homeless Services or Human Resources Administration (HRA). HCR’s program serves the lowest income households in the city.

Queens Rentals Under $2,250 on StreetEasy Article continues below

Ditmars-Steinway

22-10 80th Street

$2,200 No Fee

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Queens Village

93-23 218th Street

$1,875 No Fee

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1

Forest Hills

98-30 67th Avenue

$1,999 No Fee

Studio |

1

Maspeth

54-12 Flushing Avenue

$1,850 No Fee

Studio |

1

Long Island City

36-29 30th Street

$2,100 No Fee

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1

Briarwood

141-47 84 Drive

$1,650 No Fee

Studio |

1

Kew Gardens

83-43 118th Street

$1,550 No Fee

Studio |

1

Kew Gardens

83-60 118th Street

$2,150 No Fee

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1

Ridgewood

60-41 68 Road

$2,100 No Fee

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1

Briarwood

84-31 Van Wyck Expressway

$1,995 No Fee

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1

Jamaica Estates

178-28 Wexford Terrace

$1,650 No Fee

Studio |

1

Briarwood

142-20 84 Drive

$1,645 No Fee

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Landlords Can’t Refuse Section 8 Housing Vouchers

Before you start your apartment search, it’s essential to know that it’s illegal for landlords to discriminate against tenants based on how they pay their rent, including with Housing Choice vouchers, so long as their income source is lawful. You can report housing discrimination to the NYC Commission on Human Rights by calling 718-722-3131 or the State Division on Human Rights by filling out a complaint form on their website. You can also call 311 for assistance.

“Understand that source of income discrimination is illegal. Never think that you shouldn’t apply to an apartment because it’s too nice or says something in the description like ‘no programs.’ You have the right to apply to any apartment in your price range,” says Joe Loonam, Housing Campaign Coordinator at VOCAL-NY, a grassroots organization dedicated to empowering low-income residents.

That said, there are a few exemptions from the source of income laws that apply to landlords and tenants in NYC, such as owner-occupied 1- and 2-family homes and rooms in an owner-occupied unit. (See NYC’s Human Rights Law as well as the New York State Human Rights Law for more information.)

How to Find an Apartment

Searching for an apartment can be daunting, especially if you use a voucher to pay the rent. Here are tips to maximize your home search.

• Treat it like a job interview: “When you go to see the apartment, make sure you present the best version of yourself,” says Essy Community Champion winner and real estate agent, Darlene Brown. 
• Bring all your paperwork to showings: “When you see a unit, have all of your paperwork and voucher ready,” says Brown. “This will make the process smoother and show that you are an organized person.” 
• Search for listings using price range tools: On StreetEasy, you can search for apartments based on rent ranges. Let’s say you have a voucher for a one-bedroom with an allowance, or payment standard, of $1,700. Just log on to the search site, input $1,700 for the maximum rent and the appropriate bedroom size to see what’s available. Note: You may be able to afford a bit more than the voucher payment standard based on additional household income, but this is an excellent place to start.
• Document correspondence: Although it is illegal, housing voucher discrimination happens. That’s why it’s important to document all exchanges with agents — think email and text messages — so you can prove discrimination if need be. Remember to take screenshots of any digital interactions and also save any paperwork that backs up your case.

Bonus tip: Did you find a broker or agent you like and trust? Continue working with them. While they may not have the perfect apartment right now, they may soon because of their access to rentals in a broad range of buildings.

Avoid Section 8 Housing Scams 

Fake voucher scams promise to sell or transfer Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers for a fee. Individuals and private companies can’t transfer or sell vouchers. 

Landlords and Tenants Have to Follow State Laws and HUD Rules

All rental property owners must adhere to state laws, whether or not the tenant uses a voucher. Section 8 housing voucher recipients should know that subsidized apartments in NYC are inspected before a tenant leases. Afterward, you should expect a reinspection periodically.

Likewise, tenants who hold Section 8 vouchers have the same responsibilities as tenants without vouchers and are required to sign a lease, abide by the rules of their lease, and pay rent on time. Good luck with your apartment search!