FAQs on Section 8 Program Updates

Why is NYCHA pausing voucher issuance and outreach to applicants who are on the general waitlist for the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Section 8 program?
On March 6, 2025, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that it will be ending the Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) Program, which has provided critical housing assistance to the nation’s most vulnerable individuals. This program has been paramount in helping NYCHA stabilize approximately 5,500 New York City households since the passage of the American Rescue Plan in 2021, and its conclusion could have a devastating effect on the families who currently rely on this essential housing support.

HUD has included a provision that allows public housing authorities across the country, including NYCHA, to transition current EHV households to the traditional Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Section 8 program. As a means of ensuring that fellow New Yorkers maintain access to critical subsidy, NYCHA will begin transferring EHV households to the HCV program.

In order to accommodate these changes, NYCHA must temporarily pause voucher issuance and outreach to applicants on the general HCV waitlist.
When does the pause in voucher issuance for applicants on the general Section 8 waitlist take effect?
August 1, 2025.
How long will the pause in voucher issuance for applicants on the general Section 8 waitlist last?
We expect this pause will be in effect for approximately a year and a half.
What is the Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) Program?
The EHV Program was established to help families and individuals who are experiencing homelessness; at risk of homelessness; fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking; or recently homeless and at high risk of housing instability to find housing by subsidizing a portion of rent based on their income.
How many EHV voucher holders does NYCHA currently have?
There are currently 5,427 EHV participants.
If I am an EHV holder, will I lose my voucher?
No. As long as the EHV participant meets program income, recertification, and inspection requirements, they will not be at risk of losing their rental subsidy. NYCHA will transition EHVs to Tenant-Based Vouchers under the HCV Program to prevent EHV families from losing rental subsidy.
If I am provided a regular HCV voucher, will my voucher still expire when it was originally supposed to?
No; the HCV program is not time limited.
How long will the transfer from EHV to HCV take?
The transition will take place over the course of approximately a year and a half. EHV applicants will be notified when their EHV is transitioned over to the HCV Program.
Will I, as a voucher holder, notice any difference between my EHV and my HCV voucher?
No. EHV and HCV have the same rules related to income calculation, tenant share, recertifications, inspections, and transfers.
Administratively, what allows NYCHA to transfer EHV voucher holders to the HCV Program?
On June 24, HUD published guidance for public housing agencies (PHA) transitioning EHV households to their HCV Program. The notice outlines options for PHAs to prevent disruptions in assistance for EHV families.

NYCHA is working with HUD to begin the process of placing EHV families onto the HCV waiting list with preference, after which NYCHA will begin transitioning vouchers of EHV participants to the HCV program, to ensure rental assistance continues without interruption.
Will I lose my spot on the waitlist because of this pause?
No. You will stay on the waitlist and your position will remain unchanged.
Do I need to take any action to remain on the waitlist?
NYCHA will periodically request that you update your application and confirm that you are still interested in the HCV Program. If you would like to remain on the waitlist, you will need to update your application via NYCHA’s Self-Service Portal by the deadline indicated on the canvass notice sent to you.
How do I update my contact information to ensure I receive future updates and communications?
Home and mailing address, phone numbers, and email address should be updated via NYCHA’s Self-Service Portal.
How will NYCHA determine who gets contacted when voucher issuance restarts?
NYCHA will begin contacting applicants in order of preference and placement on the waitlist.
What happens if I move or my circumstances change during the pause?
Please keep your application information up to date. You can review and update your application by logging into your NYCHA Self-Service Portal account and clicking “Application Update” under your case information. When finished, please be sure to click the submit button.
How long should I expect to wait before NYCHA contacts me to resume the process?
We expect this pause will be in effect for approximately a year and a half.
Is there any impact to Section 8 households that are already currently leased up?
No.
Will NYCHA issue Section 8 vouchers during this pause?
NYCHA’s waitlist remains open for referrals in the following priority categories:

Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Initiative  
Homeless applicants referred by New York City agencies 
Victims of domestic violence referred by prosecutorial or law enforcement agencies  
Intimidated witnesses referred by prosecutorial or law enforcement agencies  
NYCHA public housing residents who are required to move (preference 3 in the NYCHA HCV Administrative Plan) 
EHV voucher holders who are in good standing but are at risk of homelessness due to a lack of funding for the EHV Program   

NYCHA will also continue to accept referrals under the following Special Admission Programs:

Mainstream 
Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) 
Family Unification Program (FUP) 
Non-Elderly Disabled (NED) 
Stability Vouchers 

Referrals for all listed priority categories and special admission programs will continue to be processed. 

NYCHA’s Housing Navigation Unit will continue to assist those searching for Section 8 housing.

Landlords/Property Owners:

Is it true that incentives for VASH are ending?
Yes; the VASH Rental Bonus was a time-limited program established using one-time VASH administrative funding.
How will the change in policy related to tenant “no access” policies impact landlords and property owners?
To comply with federal regulations, NYCHA is updating its “no access” policy as it relates to reinstatements and retroactive payments in connection with HUD’s inspection standards violations. Effective September 2025, failure to correct violations resulting from an inspection within the required timeframe, regardless of the reason, will result in the subsidy being withheld and/or abated.
How will NYCHA continue to attract participating landlords in light of these changes?
Owners who rent a unit to a new applicant, port-in, transfer, or restoration will be eligible to receive an incentive payment through NYCHA’s current Owner Incentive Program (OIP) – this incentive is equal to one month of contract rent and is issued after submission of the signed Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) agreement and verification that the keys have been issued to the new tenant. For more information about additional benefits of becoming a Section 8 property owner, please visit NYCHA’s Section 8 Property Owner Guide.