Payment Standards: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The Voucher Payment Standard (VPS) refers to the maximum amount of subsidy NYCHA can pay for an apartment of the same size. This means that the tenant will pay a certain portion of the rent and NYCHA will pay the remainder. Your VPS is listed on your voucher as Unit Size.

NYCHA's Payment Standard schedule is based on the Fair Market Rent (FMR) for each unit size established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These standards can be set between 90% and 110% of the published FMR. You can find the current Voucher Payment Standards here on NYCHA’s website.

The Subsidy Standard refers to the maximum number of bedrooms that NYCHA will subsidize. Subsidy Standards are based solely on the number of people residing in the assisted household. NYCHA will allow one bedroom/sleeping area per two people. NYCHA does not determine who shares a bedroom/sleeping room. If you rent an apartment with fewer bedrooms than what is listed on your voucher, your Payment Standard will match the number of bedrooms in the unit, not the voucher.

Yes, you can lease an apartment with a rent that is higher than the Voucher Payment Standard; however, you will be responsible for any amount over the Voucher Payment Standard plus your tenant-share portion of the rent (tenant rent to owner). Your tenant rent to owner cannot exceed 40% of your family’s gross adjusted income.

Exception Payment Standards (EPS) are set at the ZIP Code level; they allow for subsidy levels to more closely reflect the rates of the local market. EPS are intended to expand housing opportunities in ZIP Codes that have lower rates of poverty and crime and have well-resourced schools. Please note that EPS apply only to Section 8 voucher holders and are currently only available for emergency housing voucher holders.

NYCHA will not approve your subsidy in a unit where the landlord is a parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, sister, or brother of any member of the assisted household. NYCHA may waive this restriction as a reasonable accommodation for a family member with a documented disability.

# OF PEOPLE	HOUSEHOLD COMPOSITION	CERTIFIED BEDROOM SIZE
1	Single Person	0
2	Head of Household and Spouse/Domestic Partner	1
	2 Persons of the Same Sex	1
	2 Persons of Different Sexes	2
3	Head of Household and Spouse/Domestic Partner and 1 Person (any sex)	2
	3 Persons of the Same Sex	2
	2 Persons of the Same Sex and 1 Person of a Different Sex	2
	3 Persons of Different Sexes	3
4	Head of Household and Spouse/Domestic Partner and 2 Persons of the Same Sex	2
	Head of Household and Spouse/Domestic Partner and 2 Persons of Different Sexes	3
	4 Persons of the Same Sex	2
	2 Persons of the Same Sex and 2 Persons of a Different Sex	2
	2 Persons of the Same Sex and 2 Persons of Different Sexes	3
	3 Persons of the Same Sex and 1 Person of a Different Sex	3
5	Any 5 Person Combination	3
6	Any 6 Person Combination	3
7	Any 7 Person Combination	4
8	Any 8 Person Combination	4

Bedroom Size	Payment Standard ($)
0	$2,624
1	$2,696
2	$3,027
3	$3,777
4	$4,070
5	$4,680
6	$5,291
7	$5,901
8	$6,512

To determine your Payment Standard, go to NYCHA’s website or call the CCC phone number:(718) 707-7771.

The Utility Allowance is intended to enable participating families to pay typical costs for utilities and services, similar to those who live in the same area and are of similar household size. The Utility Allowances in the table below are effective January 1, 2024 and are updated every year. Utilities paid by the tenant must be subtracted from the Payment Standard (see above).

COOKING GAS AND ELECTRIC (NO ELECTRIC STOVE)
No Bedrooms	0	1	2	3	4	5 or more
Cooking Gas ($)	25	28	33	37	42	46
Electric ($)	74	84	109	134	160	186
Total (w/ Cooking Gas & Electric) ($)	99	112	142	171	202	232

OIL HEAT AND HOT WATER
No Bedrooms	0	1	2	3	4	5 or more
Oil Hot Water Only ($)	35	41	60	78	97	115
Oil Heat Only ($)	116	137	156	175	195	214
Total (Oil Heat & Hot Water) ($)	151	178	216	253	292	329

GAS HEAT AND HOT WATER
No Bedrooms	0	1	2	3	4	5 or more
Gas Hot Water Only ($)	20	23	34	44	54	65
Gas Heat Only ($)	65	77	89	98	109	120
Total (Gas Heat & Hot Water) ($)	85	100	123	142	163	185

ELECTRIC HEAT AND HOT WATER
No Bedrooms	0	1	2	3	4	5 or more
Electric Hot Water Only ($)	28	33	42	51	60	69
Electric Heat Only ($)	39	46	62	77	92	108
Total (Electric Heat & Hot Water) ($)	67	79	104	128	152	177

Note: The electric heat allowance is applicable to Section 8 tenants who are responsible for paying their own electric heat. It should be noted that the figures do not include an allowance for cooking by gas or by electric, or electric for light and household appliances.

ELECTRIC
No Bedrooms	0	1	2	3	4	5 or more
Including Electric Cooking Range ($)	85	97	128	159	191	223

Note: The allowance includes electric and use of the electric stove.

HEAT PUMP
No Bedrooms	0	1	2	3	4	5 or more
NYCEEC Compliant	23	27	30	35	41	49
NYCEEC Noncompliant	36	42	47	55	64	76

Note: The allowance includes heat pumps in apartment buildings and single-family homes.

If you need additional information about NYCHA Payment Standards or the lease-up process, please call the NYCHA Customer Contact Center at 718-707-7771, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.