NYCHA Public Housing
Affordable public housing
NYCHA rents apartments to eligible lower-income households. Rent is based on household income, and most buildings include utilities. Public housing is a separate program from Section 8.
Eligibility
Applicants generally must be at least 18 or emancipated minors, meet NYCHA household and current income rules, and have at least one household member with eligible citizenship or immigration status. Senior developments have additional age rules. NYCHA verifies eligibility.
How to apply
- Open ApplyNYCHA and complete the public housing application.
- Report household composition, income, current living situation and first and second borough choices.
- Save your case number and check your status through the Self-Service Portal.
- Update household changes. Renew the application every 24 months until called for an eligibility interview.
Documents and next steps
No documents are required with the initial application. At interview, follow NYCHA instructions for identity, household, income, assets, immigration status and residence records. Waiting and admission depend on priority, eligibility and available apartments; placement is not guaranteed.
Application help
Call NYCHA at 718-707-7771 for help or a paper application. Public housing applications are free. H.E.R. can help with preparation; NYCHA decides eligibility.