How does NYCHA Public Housing work?

Rent is based on your family’s income — utilities are included in most buildings. NYCHA offers apartments designed to meet different accessibility needs: Mobility-friendly apartments: Some apartments have been modified for people with mobility impairments. Other accommodations: NYCHA can make other changes to meet your needs as well. Residents can also get support finding work and managing personal finances through NYCHA’s senior and community centers Find other affordable housing options through NYC Housing Connect and NYC Housing Development Corporation .

Am I eligible for NYCHA Public Housing?

To qualify for public housing, all of the following must be true: At least one person in your household is a U.S. citizen or has legal immigration status — such as permanent resident (Green Card), refugee, or asylum status. You’re 18 or older, or you’re an emancipated minor. If you’re applying with a spouse or domestic partner, they’re also 18 or older, or an emancipated minor. If you’re applying for senior public housing, everyone in your household is 62 or older. Your household qualifies as a family under NYCHA’s rules. This includes two or more people related by blood, marriage, domestic partnership, adoption, guardianship, or court-awarded custody—and single people also qualify. Your household income is at or below the income limits. Family size Income in a year 1 $95,000 2 $108,600 3 $122,150 4 $135,700 5 $146,600 6 $157,450 7 $168,300 8 $179,150 9 $190,000 10 $200,850 11 $211,700 12 $222,550 13 $233,450 14 $244,300 15 $255,150

What do I need in order to apply to NYCHA Public Housing?

You do not need to submit any documents to apply for public housing. If you get an interview, you will need to bring the following original documents with you. Your marriage or domestic partner certificate (if applicable) Birth certificates of everyone who will live with you Social security cards of everyone who will live with you Proof of your immigration status (if applicable) Proof of where you currently live, such as a recent utility bill Rent receipts for the last six months and your lease (if you have one) Your last gas and electric bill Proof of your income (if any), such as an award letter, pay stubs, or SNAP letter Documents showing your assets, such as a bank statement

NYCHA Public Housing

How it works

Lower-income New Yorkers can rent affordable housing through the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA).

Rent is based on your family’s income — utilities are included in most buildings.

NYCHA offers apartments designed to meet different accessibility needs:

Mobility-friendly apartments: Some apartments have been modified for people with mobility impairments.
Other accommodations: NYCHA can make other changes to meet your needs as well.

Residents can also get support finding work and managing personal finances through NYCHA’s senior and community centers

Find other affordable housing options through NYC Housing Connect and NYC Housing Development Corporation.

Eligibility requirements

To qualify for public housing, all of the following must be true:

At least one person in your household is a U.S. citizen or has legal immigration status — such as permanent resident (Green Card), refugee, or asylum status.
You’re 18 or older, or you’re an emancipated minor.
If you’re applying with a spouse or domestic partner, they’re also 18 or older, or an emancipated minor.
If you’re applying for senior public housing, everyone in your household is 62 or older.
Your household qualifies as a family under NYCHA’s rules. This includes two or more people related by blood, marriage, domestic partnership, adoption, guardianship, or court-awarded custody—and single people also qualify.
Your household income is at or below the income limits.

Family size	Income in a year
1	$95,000
2	$108,600
3	$122,150
4	$135,700
5	$146,600
6	$157,450
7	$168,300
8	$179,150
9	$190,000
10	$200,850
11	$211,700
12	$222,550
13	$233,450
14	$244,300
15	$255,150

Immigration status requirements

At least one member of your household must be a U.S. citizen or a non-citizen with eligible immigration status (e.g., Permanent Resident, refugee, asylee).

Required documents

You do not need to submit any documents to apply for public housing. If you get an interview, you will need to bring the following original documents with you.

Your marriage or domestic partner certificate (if applicable)
Birth certificates of everyone who will live with you
Social security cards of everyone who will live with you
Proof of your immigration status (if applicable)
Proof of where you currently live, such as a recent utility bill
Rent receipts for the last six months and your lease (if you have one)
Your last gas and electric bill
Proof of your income (if any), such as an award letter, pay stubs, or SNAP letter
Documents showing your assets, such as a bank statement

How to apply

To apply for public housing, you must submit an application on the NYCHA website.

After you apply, you will be assigned a case number and put on a waiting list for an eligibility interview. Use the self-service portal to check your status at any time. You’ll need to register and log in.

Apply online

Applicants are encouraged to apply online. However, paper applications are available by mail. Call NYCHA’s Customer Contact Center (CCC) at 718-707-7771 to request a paper application.

Get help

Visit the website

Visit the NYCHA website for more information.

Call 311

Ask for Public Housing.

Call NYCHA

Call NYCHA’s Customer Contact Center (CCC) at 718-707-7771 if you have questions about public housing.

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Last Updated May 27, 2026

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