Complete Guide to Section 8 & Public Housing in New York
New York has 159 housing authorities managing a combined 975 waiting lists across Section 8 (HCV), Public Housing, and Project-Based Voucher programs. Currently, 475 of those lists are accepting applications — an open rate of approximately 49%. This data was last verified on Jul 17, 2026.
New York offers a range of affordable housing assistance programs across its 159 housing authorities, which collectively manage 716 waiting lists. Currently, 300 of these lists are open, representing a 42% open rate, while 255 lists are closed. The state housing agency overseeing many initiatives is NY State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR). Individuals seeking assistance can find opportunities in various programs. Public Housing has 79 open lists out of 153 total, Project-Based Vouchers (PBV) have 29 open lists out of 89, and Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) present 25 open lists from 159. Other options include RAD (5 open lists from 43) and Mainstream (1 open list from 41). Additionally, specific property programs like SRDI (6 lists open), Springs West Apartments (6 lists open), and Stonequist Apartments LLC (6 lists open) also have openings.
Many housing authorities statewide have openings. Saratoga Springs stands out with 27 housing authorities and 93 open lists. Other cities with activity include Buffalo (5 housing authorities, 6 open lists), New York (3 housing authorities, 5 open lists), Utica (3 housing authorities, 3 open lists), and Peekskill (2 housing authorities, 2 open lists). Recent updates indicate changes such as Fort Plain Housing Agency in Saratoga Springs changing its Public Housing list from closed to open, and the City of Utica also opening its Public Housing list. The Village of Corinth in Saratoga Springs recently moved its Affordable Housing list from open to opening soon.
When seeking housing assistance in New York, it's important to note that the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) operates independently from the state-wide system. Eligible applicants residing in or planning to move to NYC should consider applying to both NYCHA and other state-wide programs to maximize their opportunities. The variety of programs available, from tenant-based rental assistance to various affordable and supportive housing initiatives, means staying informed about current openings in desired locations and program types is a practical step for applicants.
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The affordable housing programs tracked in New York include Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) (28 open), Public Housing (78 open), Project-Based Vouchers (PBV) (35 open), RAD (6 open), Mainstream (1 open), VASH. Each program has its own eligibility criteria, application process, and wait times. In most cases, applicants can apply to multiple program types at the same housing authority, and there is no limit to the number of housing authorities you can apply to statewide.
The cities with the most open waitlists in New York right now are Saratoga Springs (42), New York City (30), Centereach (26), Southampton (20), and Jamestown (17) . Applicants who are flexible about location will generally receive assistance sooner than those who apply to a single waitlist in a high-demand area.
Latest opening: City of North Tonawanda — HCV
Eligibility Requirements for New York
To qualify for assistance in New York, applicants must meet specific income and household criteria set by the NY State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR).
- Income: Below HUD local limits
- Citizenship: U.S. Citizen or eligible legal status
- Background: Criminal background check required
- Residency: Preferences often given to locals
Real-Time Data Verification
Section 8 Waitlist aggregates data from official New York legal notices, government press releases, and PHA portal updates. Every listing is cross-referenced with NY State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) to ensure that families receive accurate information for low-income programs.