NYCHA Section 8 housing waitlist in NYC: What’s next

Editor's note: The video was originally published on Aug. 1.

NEW YORK (PIX11) – The wait is over. NYCHA has added over 200,000 new families to its waitlist for the New York City Section 8 Housing Voucher program.

The housing authority announced the completed waitlist on Thursday. Those placed on the waitlist should receive an email notification and a letter in the mail. NYCHA warned that waitlist information is not available on the Self-Service Portal.

Applicants who did not get on the waitlist will also be notified and given a chance to appeal, according to NYCHA.

The New York City Section 8 Housing Voucher program allows low-income families to live in private-market housing at a fraction of the cost. Voucher holders pay a share of their income toward rent, and Section 8 pays for the rest. 

The program is in high demand. The city accepted applications for the waitlist in June for the first time since 2009. More than 630,000 applications were submitted – nearly half in the first 24 hours.

Now, some 210,000 New Yorkers and their families are closer to finding affordable housing. But for those lucky enough to snag a spot, the work is not done. 

Those who are selected will be interviewed to ensure they qualify. During the interview, NYCHA will verify family size and composition, housing priority, family income, Social Security numbers, and citizenship/immigration status. Screenings such as background checks and contacting previous landlords also take place.

Section 8 participants need to comply with all program requirements, including accommodating Housing Quality Standards inspections, letting property owners make needed repairs to apartments, adhering to lease terms, and completing an annual certification. 

Anyone who has received confirmation that they are on the waitlist should create a profile on NYCHA’s Self-Service Portal if they have not done so already.

Once a Section 8 participant is pulled off the waitlist and given a voucher, they can use the Self-Service Portal to comply with program requirements and look for housing. The voucher will have an issue date and an expiration date.

Section 8 participants have 180 days from the issue date to find housing and submit a rental packet to NYCHA. An extension can also be requested for a NYCHA-approved reasonable accommodation.

NYCHA will then send a notification whether the rental packet has been approved or denied.

For more information on the New York City Section 8 Housing Voucher program, click here.

This story comprises reporting from PIX11’s Emily Rahhal, Erin Pflaumer, and Jonathan Rizk.