Section 8 Program Updates

Emergency Housing Voucher Program Updates

1. What is the Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) Program?

Created as part of the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the program was originally expected to provide assistance through September 2030 – with 626 public housing authorities having been awarded approximately 70,000 EHVs across the U.S. funded by the federal government. It was established by Congress during the COVID-19 pandemic 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.

On March 6, 2025, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that it would be ending the Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) Program early, with funding running out by the end of 2026. NYCHA is working to identify alternative subsidized housing options and will be reaching out to impacted households.

2. How many EHV participants does NYCHA currently have?

There are approximately 5,200 EHV participants as of March 2026. The number of EHV participants can be expected to change over time.

3. If I am an EHV participant, will I lose my EHV assistance?

Yes, all EHV participants will lose their EHV assistance once federal funding runs out, which is expected to be no later than December 2026. NYCHA is working to identify alternative subsidized housing options and will be reaching out to its EHV participants.

In order to receive an offer of an alternative subsidized housing option from NYCHA, EHV participants must complete a NYCHA public housing application on the Self-Service Portal.

EHV participants also must be current on their annual recertification, must allow inspectors in to conduct Housing Quality Standard inspections, and must provide timely responses to any NYCHA communication about their voucher or household.

4. When can I expect to hear from NYCHA about alternative housing options?

NYCHA expects to begin outreach to EHV participants on a rolling basis beginning in spring 2026.

5. Why was I notified last year I would be transitioning to a Housing Choice Voucher?

NYCHA intended to transition EHV households to the traditional Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Section 8 program. Unfortunately, NYCHA does not have the funding required to accomplish this transition, and waiver requests to facilitate this were denied. NYCHA is now exploring available alternatives to tenant-based vouchers for its EHV participants.

6. Do EHV participants need to take any action at this time?

Yes! In order to receive an offer of an alternative subsidized housing option from NYCHA, EHV participants must complete a NYCHA public housing application on the Self-Service Portal.

EHV participants will hear directly from NYCHA when an alternative housing option is identified. Please be sure to reply to all communications promptly.

7. Does filling out a public housing application mean EHV households will be placed in a public housing development?

No, completion of the public housing application is a first step toward receiving an offer of an alternative subsidized housing option. That offer could be any number of options within the NYCHA housing portfolio, including public housing, a converted PACT development, or a project-based Section 8 unit.

8. What happens after EHV households fill out a public housing application?

For any EHV participants in good standing, once their public housing application has been received, NYCHA will reach out to offer an alternative housing option within the NYCHA portfolio. Recipients of this outreach should promptly respond to any communication from NYCHA about their household, voucher, or transition.

9. What if a current EHV participant no longer wishes to pursue assistance?

If a current EHV household does not wish to pursue NYCHA's assistance in identifying an alternative housing option for after the EHV program ends, their subsidy will end when the funding runs out for the program in late 2026. They will then be responsible for the full contract rent for their unit when funding runs out in late 2026.

10. Is there any other place where households can obtain a Housing Choice Voucher?

Housing Choice Vouchers are issued by three authorities/agencies in New York City: NYCHA, the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), and New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR). None are currently issuing vouchers due to funding constraints. While funding remains a concern nationally, some public housing agencies outside New York City are still issuing Housing Choice Vouchers. Households may reach out directly to local housing authorities in other localities if they would be willing to relocate to those jurisdictions.

11. What if EHV households do not wish to relocate from their current rental unit?

Unfortunately, assistance cannot be provided for a current EHV unit beyond 2026. If households do not pursue NYCHA's assistance in identifying an alternative housing option, their subsidy will end when the funding runs out for the program in late 2026. Households will then be responsible for the full contract rent for their unit no later than December 31, 2026.

12. How do I update my contact information to ensure I receive future updates and communications?

You should update your mailing address, if different from your home address, phone numbers, and email address via NYCHA's Self-Service Portal.

13. What happens if my contact information or my circumstances change?

Please keep your information up to date. You must file an interim recertification if there are changes in your household or to your income. You can review your information by logging into your Self-Service Portal account.

General Section 8 Program Updates

1. Is NYCHA's temporary pause on active outreach and voucher issuance to applicants on the general HCV waitlist that was announced on August 1, 2025, still in effect?

Yes, the temporary pause on outreach and voucher issuance for applicants on the general HCV waitlist remains in effect.

2. 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.

3. Do I need to take any action to remain on the waitlist?

Yes, if NYCHA requests that you update your application and confirm that you are still interested in the HCV Program, you will need to update your application via NYCHA's Self-Service Portal by the deadline indicated on the canvass notice sent to you.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. Is there any impact to Section 8 households that are already currently leased up?

No.

8. Is NYCHA issuing tenant-based Section 8 vouchers right now?

NYCHA is not currently issuing new tenant-based Section 8 vouchers to those on the HCV waitlist.

9. Is NYCHA accepting referrals for Section 8 assistance?

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

Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH)
Stability Vouchers