Emergency Shelter | Permanent Housing
New York City makes a special effort to provide subsidized permanent housing opportunities for eligible victims of domestic violence. Through the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), victims of abuse residing in public housing may be eligible to receive confidential emergency transfers to another public housing development.
The Section 8 and public housing priorities are no longer available in the family shelter system. Housing Stability Plus, a new rental assistance program managed by the Department of Homeless Services, is now available for families on public assistance. Victims who are currently in shelter should speak to their housing specialist for more information.
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The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) provides decent and affordable housing in a safe and secure living environment for low and moderate-income residents throughout the five boroughs. NYCHA works to enhance quality of life by offering residents social services, which give them opportunities to participate in a multitude of community, educational, and recreational programs, as well as job readiness and training initiatives.
Section 8 housing is a federally funded rental assistance program administered by NYCHA. The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program enables low-income families to rent a unit from a private landlord by providing families or individuals with rental vouchers to help subsidize their rent. Families or individuals are responsible for finding a unit of their choice to rent. If the owner of the building or landlord agrees to rent to the individual or family, the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher is used to pay part of the rent.
Specifically, the Section 8 voucher pays the difference between the rent/utilities charged for a unit and 30-40% of a family's adjusted income. Payment is made directly to the landlord from Section 8 on the tenant's behalf. The tenant is responsible for paying the remaining amount for utilities and rent.
Section 8 vouchers are generally transferable and can be used anywhere in the United States. Families and individuals are allowed to use the voucher to identify housing that may be closer to jobs and schools, or that otherwise better meet their needs.
Section 8 vouchers are currently not available due to a shortfall in federal funding. As a result, NYCHA will be accepting applications for Section 8, but will not process them until additional funds are allocated. Applications with proper documentation will be placed on a waiting list when received by NYCHA.
Only applications from the following four categories will be accepted, until further notice:
1. Victim of Domestic Violence
2. Homeless
3. Intimidated Witness
4. Referred by ACS under the family reunification or Independent Living Program*
*The program enables the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) to access Section 8 housing vouchers for qualified families whose only impediment to reunification is housing, and for families with children who are receiving preventive services and are at risk of coming into foster care because of unmet housing needs.
All other Section 8 applications received by NYCHA will be discarded. If the individual falls within one of the above-listed categories, he or she may pick up a Section 8 application from any of the Housing Authority's Borough Application Offices.
The Social Services Support Department of NYCHA administers various programs designed to address the unique needs of NYCHA residents and applicants who are victims of domestic violence, intimidated victims, or witnesses of crimes. This unit also provides coordination between NYCHA's different human services and outside social service agencies to help maximize resources for NYCHA residents.
The Social Services Unit of NYCHA oversees the Domestic Violence Intervention and Education Program, Emergency Transfer Program, Domestic Violence Aftercare Program, Housing Assistance for Relocation and Transitional Services, Supportive Outreach Services, and Furniture Distribution Program.
The Domestic Violence Intervention and Education Prevention Program (DVIEP) helps residents who have filed police reports for domestic violence. DVIEP provides home visits, crisis counseling, emergency transfer assistance, and referrals for victims of abuse and their children. A case manager from Safe Horizon, a nonprofit social services agency, and a Domestic Violence Prevention Officer are assigned to every Public Housing Complex, known as a Police Service Area (PSA). The DVIEP team is also available to provide community presentations about domestic violence.
The Emergency Transfer Program provides an opportunity for tenants and authorized family members who qualify as domestic violence victims and intimidated victims and witnesses to relocate quickly and confidentially to a new NYCHA housing development.
Learn more on how to apply (in pdf )
The Domestic Violence Aftercare Program provides case management services to NYCHA residents who have been approved for an Emergency Transfer as a victim of domestic violence.
Learn more about the Domestic Violence Aftercare Program
The H.A.R.T.S. program provides intensive case management to families moving into public housing from the shelter system and individuals relocating into NYCHA housing with domestic violence or intimidated witness priority. Families are assessed and service plans are developed for each family. Workshops are provided on topics such as budgeting, apartment maintenance, parenting skills, and conflict resolution.
The Furniture Distribution Program delivers free, used furniture and other household items to families newly relocated in NYCHA housing from the shelter system, domestic violence victims transferred by the Emergency Transfer Program, and families impacted by natural disasters such as fire or flood. The program receives donations from hotels, motels, other organizations, and private citizens.
NYCHA’s Social Services Department has offices in every borough where social service staff is available to provide outreach assistance to residents experiencing stress associated with the challenges of daily living. Residents are either referred to the program or may self-refer for such problems as rental payment, financial hardship, need for resources, domestic violence, substance abuse, assistance with daily living due to age or disability, conflicts with others, etc. All services are home visit-based and include assessment, supportive counseling, referrals, advocacy, and formulation of service plans in conjunction with the resident’s need.
NYCHA
expands documentation options for DV priority.
