Housing Support

The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) Housing Support and Services (HSS) unit provides housing supports to parents/guardians who are the discharge resource persons in foster care reunification services and parents/guardians receiving eligible preventive services through ACS’ contracted providers. Assistance includes identifying housing resources to help families involved with foster care or prevention services with accessing suitable, stable, long-term housing.

Who is Eligible?

Families reuniting with their children who are leaving out-of-home foster care placements where the lack of housing is the primary barrier to reunification.
Families receiving eligible preventive services to prevent the child(ren) from entering foster care.
Youth in independent living programs should contact the Housing Academy Collaborative (HAC) for housing assistance.

How to Apply

Speak with your foster care or prevention services caseworker/case planner to discuss eligibility for ACS’ housing services.

Contact HSS at 110 William Street, New York, NY 10038, for additional information or with questions. Eligible youth and families should be accompanied by their Case Planners.

Call us at 212-676-2818.
Walk in Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 4:00pm

Programs

ACS Housing Subsidy

The ACS Housing Subsidy is a rent subsidy program that:

Assists with reuniting parents with children placed in foster care when housing is the primary barrier,
Helps to prevent children from entering foster care when housing is the primary obstacle to a child remaining at home,
Assist youth ages 18 and older who can live independently to secure permanent housing when they leave care.

The ACS Housing Subsidy can provide the following for eligible ACS clients. Exceptions may apply.

Special Grant (one-shot) for financial assistance up-to $4,350 towards specific costs associated with a new apartment.
Special Grant (one-shot) for financial assistance with rent or mortgage arrears up-to $4,350.
A recurring monthly subsidy that pays up to $725 monthly assistance for a maximum of either $26,100 or up to three years, whichever comes first, for families renting in New York market rate housing. Special Grants are included.

New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)

NYCHA Public Housing

NYCHA offers ACS priority access (N-0) to Public Housing under the Independent Living or Family Unification programs. Eligible ACS families must be referred by the foster care provider agency to the ACS Housing Support and Services (HSS) unit. Families must satisfy NYCHA’s standards for tenancy in a NYCHA development.

Families where housing is a primary barrier to reunification with their children from foster care placement.
Youth ages eighteen and older who are transitioning out of foster care with a goal of Another Planned Permanent Living Arrangement (APPLA).
Parents and youth who are able to pass a criminal background check and meet other NYCHA requirements.

NYCHA Section 8

NYCHA Section 8, also known as Housing Choice Vouchers, when available, is administered by NYCHA and provides Section 8 vouchers. Eligibility includes:

Families where housing is a primary barrier to reunification with their children from foster care placement.
Youth ages 18 and older who are transitioning out of foster care with a goal of Another Planned Permanent Living Arrangement (APPLA).
Parents and youth who are able to pass a criminal background check and meet other NYCHA requirements.

Additional Resources

Homebase

The Department of Social Services (DSS) Homebase program helps families and individuals to overcome immediate housing issues that could result in becoming homeless, while also helping them develop plans for long-term stability. Use the Homebase locator or visit 311 Online to locate your nearest Homebase office.

PATH

Temporary housing assistance is available to families through the DHS Prevention Assistance and Temporary Housing (PATH) program. Families with children younger than 21, pregnant women, and families with a pregnant woman are eligible to apply.

Location: 151 East 151st Street, Bronx, NY
Telephone: 917-521-3900
Open 24 hours per day, including weekends and holidays.
PATH processes applications 9:00am to 5:00pm.

Housing Complaints

Your property owner must keep your apartment unit and building in safe and sanitary condition and make repairs in a timely manner. The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) will issue violations to owners who do not properly maintain their property. You also have a responsibility to notify your property owner of any unsafe or unsanitary conditions. You should document all contact with your property owner.

To learn more about making a housing complaint, visit HPD’s Report a Complaint webpage. In addition to filing a complaint with HPD, you may seek assistance in Housing Court.

Harassment by an owner or landlord is illegal. Learn more about tenant harassment and examples of actions that may constitute harassment.

Additional HPD resources: