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Non-Emergency Transfer Policy Update (Tenants)


Dear Section 8 Participant:

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) has made an important change to its non-emergency transfer policy for voluntary moves. Starting May 1, 2026, NYCHA will only process non-emergency transfer rental requests that are cost-neutral. This means the new apartment’s gross contract rent must be the same or lower than your current apartment's. The gross contract rent is the total of your contract rent plus any utility allowances.

Example:
A tenant currently resides in a two-bedroom apartment and is responsible for paying for
cooking gas and electricity.

      • Current Unit: $2,000 (Rent) + $181 (Utility Allowance) = $2,181 Total
      • New Unit Limit: The new rent + new utility allowance must be $2,181 or less.
      • Note: Even if the payment standard is $2,997 for a two-bedroom unit, you are capped at
        your current cost of $2,181.

This policy does not apply to involuntary moves using an emergency transfer. Emergency transfer
reasons include:

  • 24-hour failed Housing Quality Standards(HQS) inspection – such as a gas leak or fire
  • Non-voluntary move because of an HQS longterm suspension
  • Natural Disaster – such as a hurricane orearthquake
  • Court Action – Holdover proceeding in Housing Court based on a landlord’s choicenot to renew a lease.
  • Foreclosure Action and Order to Vacate
  • Reasonable Accommodation
  • Victim under the Violence Against Women Act(VAWA): VAWA Victim of domestic violence,dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking
  • Intimidated Victim (IV)
  • Intimidated Witness (IW)


For more information on this policy update, please read our Frequently Asked Questions.

 

Thank you,

Leased Housing Department