The Veterans Affairs HUD-VASH Program is a program from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the US Department of Veterans Affairs VA to help veterans facing homelessness and their families find and sustain permanent housing under the Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher (HCV).

The HUD/VASH program works as a rental subsidy that allows veterans to pay a reasonable amount of their income toward their rent. Think of Section 8 for veterans. Eligible veterans will receive a voucher to begin searching for housing. Generally, veterans will pay no more than 40 percent of their adjusted monthly income toward their rent share.

The VA pays the remaining amount to the owner on the veteran's behalf. HUD/VASH participants must comply with all program requirements, including completing their annual certification, accommodating Housing Quality Standards inspections, allowing property owners to make any needed repairs, and adhering to the terms of their lease. VA case managers connect these veterans with additional support services.

Eligibility:

• Veterans must be VA health care eligible (determined by the VA).
• Veterans must also meet the definition of homelessness defined in The McKinney Homeless Assistance Act
• HUD-VASH prioritizes the chronically homeless
• At least one member of the veteran family must meet the documentation requirements of citizenship or eligible immigration status
• Veterans must provide social security numbers for all family members who claim citizenship or eligible immigration status
• No member of the veteran household may have been convicted for production of methamphetamines in federally-assisted housing
• No member of the veteran household may be subject to a lifetime registration requirement under a State sex offender registration program
• The veteran must be within the appropriate income limits for their family size. Income limits can be found on the Section 8 eligibility page.

How to Apply:

Call 877-424-3838 to be connected with your local VA homeless program and apply. Visit the HUD-VASH website for more information. https://www.va.gov/homeless/hud-vash.asp

Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program or Section 8, works as a rental subsidy that allows families to pay a reasonable amount of their income toward their rent. Eligible families will receive a voucher to begin searching for housing. Generally, families will pay no more than 40 percent of their adjusted monthly income toward their rent share. NYCHA pays the remaining amount to the owner on the family's behalf. This payment to the owner is known as the Housing Assistance Payment. Section 8 participants must comply with all program requirements, including completing their annual certification, accommodating Housing Quality Standards inspections, allowing property owners to make any needed repairs, and adhering to the terms of their lease.

Eligibility:

At least one member of the applicant family must meet the documentation requirements of citizenship or eligible immigration status

An applicant must provide social security numbers for all family members who claim citizenship or eligible immigration status

No member of the applicant household may have been convicted for production of methamphetamines in federally-assisted housing

No member of the applicant household may be subject to a lifetime registration requirement under State sex offender registration program

An applicant must be within the appropriate income limits for their family size. Income limits can be found on the Section 8 eligibility page.

How to Apply:

New Section 8/HCV applications are not being accepted at this time. The public will be notified when applications are being accepted again. If you previously submitted a Section 8 application when the waiting list was open, log on to the Self-Service Portal to confirm the receipt of your NYCHA application. Learn more about Section 8.

The NYC Rent Freeze Program, which includes the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) Program and the Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) Program, helps those eligible stay in affordable housing by freezing their rent. Under this program, a property tax credit covers the difference between the actual rent amount and what you (the tenant) are responsible for paying at the frozen rate.

NYC Mayor's Public Engagement Unit / Rent Freeze

Veteran's Liaison: Marcos Ramirez

Phone: (646) 581-3069

Email: ramirezmar@hra.nyc.gov

Anthos|Home is a pioneering nonprofit organization working to reduce homelessness in New York City. By improving the housing subsidy process for both tenants and housing providers, we get people into housing faster and support their success along the way.

Our model is based on the successful Flexible Housing Subsidy Pool created by Brilliant Corners in Los Angeles that uses flexible funding to bring apartments online and quickly move in tenants with housing vouchers.

Anthos|Home partners with government, nonprofits, housing providers, and others to help voucher holders quickly find and move into affordable housing.  At the same time, we work to ease the risk and administrative burden of vouchers for housing providers and provide supports to both tenants and housing providers to ensure housing stability.

Anthos|Home

169 Madison Ave,

New York, NY 10016

Phone: (212) 606-0785

Through Housing Connect, you can find and apply for affordable rental and homeownership opportunities. To qualify, your household must meet the income and size requirements for a unit in the affordable development. Your household is all of the people who will live in the affordable unit.

There are two ways to access opportunities in Housing Connect. It is a good idea to do both:

Apply to developments with open lotteries.

These are new and recently renovated buildings.

Click “yes” that you wish to be considered for re-rentals/resales. This question is in the “Re-rentals and Resales” section.

These are individual affordable units that become available when someone moves out.

To apply for an open lottery:

• Make sure the information about your household is complete and up to date on Housing Connect.
• Go to “Open Lotteries” to see what is available for applications. Are you interested in any of the buildings? Check the details to see if your household size and income fit the limits for the buildings.

Click “Apply” before the application deadline date.

It is very important to update your profile information immediately any time your household members or their incomes change. This can be before or after you apply to any specific development.

Need help? Not sure if you qualify? Visit our HPD Housing Ambassador page for help. You also call 311 and ask for a Housing Ambassador near you.

After the deadline:

Each application gets a random number—a lottery log number. Lottery log numbers are random. No one controls who has a better or worse number.

It does not matter if you applied first or last, online or on paper—your log number is random. Just make sure to apply before the deadline.

The Marketing Agent reviews the applications, beginning with set-asides and preferences.

In new buildings, 5% of units are for households where someone has a mobility disability, and 2% for vision, or hearing disabilities. Usually, this is called a “disability set-aside.”

Sometimes preference for a percentage of units is given to other categories of applicants. These preferences will be listed on the development’s advertisement. Visit the FAQ for more details.

After you apply:

It can take several months or longer to hear about your application. Sometimes you might not hear back even if you qualify.

While you’re waiting, carefully check what your current lease says about moving out before the lease is over. If you’re offered an apartment, you might need to move quickly.

If you aren’t selected or don’t hear back, keep searching for other apartments and apply when you are ready.

Be ready in case you are contacted for documents

If your application is selected, you’ll be invited to respond to a document request. This interview is very important. Agents from the building will confirm if you qualify for the opportunity you applied for. Get ready ahead of time to make sure you’re prepared.

Get important documents together

At the interview, you’ll need to show documents that prove the information you put in our application. Start collecting copies today!

You’ll have to show:

• Who will live with you. Examples: birth certificates, picture IDs
• The incomes of everyone who will live with you. Examples: pay stubs; federal or state tax returns; proof of Social Security, veteran, or public assistance benefits income
• Information about your current apartment: Examples: your current lease, receipts for rent, recent gas or electric bills

See the Apply Checklist and Resources Guide if you need help getting copies of these documents. After sending in your documents

You might have to do some follow-up steps to make sure your application is complete. After that…

Your application might be accepted. You’ll have to go through a few more steps before you decide if you want to sign a lease.

You might get a rejection notice saying you don’t qualify and the reason why. If this happens, you have the right to appeal. This means you’ll get a chance to explain why you think the decision was not correct.

If you want to appeal, act quickly – you only have 10 business days from the date of the postmark of the letter to submit an appeal!

Respond to the building agent explaining why you think you shouldn’t have been turned down. Include any documents that support your appeal.

The building agents will review your appeal and send you a letter with the outcome.

If the appeal is successful, the agent will continue processing your application.

If your appeal is not successful, you’ll receive an appeal rejection notice. If you think there’s still an error, you can contact HPD or HDC within five business days with a complaint. Be sure to include an explanation of why you think there’s an error. The notice will give you instructions.

Even if you don’t qualify for one housing opportunity, applications you’ve submitted for other opportunities are still active. Keep updating your Housing Connect information and working on getting ready in case you’re selected for another building!

NYC Housing Connect

Affordable Housing Lottery Helpline: 212-863-7990

Email: nychousingconnect@hpd.nyc.gov

For information on applying for affordable housing for people with disabilities, please submit accessibility inquiries to:

Phone: 212-863-6486

Email: accessibility@hpd.nyc.gov

HPD Housing Ambassadors

Email: ambassadors@hpd.nyc.gov

The NYC Veterans Housing Resource Guide

There are a number of housing programs available to veterans seeking sustainable housing. The NYC Veterans Housing Resource Guide is your guide to obtaining housing with breakdowns of the different programs and contact information.

Using the Veterans Housing Guide

Scanning QR Codes:

Most cell phones can access the website by scanning the provided QR code by opening your camera and holding the phone over the code. For older phones, you might need to download a QR Code Reader App from Play Store. Most are free but be careful which one you choose. Many have advertising which can be a pain. If scanning the QR code is not working, visit the website, https://www.vetjuspro.com/ and click on Veterans Resource Guide. Each section in this resource guide is duplicated on the website page and accompanied by a downloadable and printable pdf link.

Keeping Notes:

It cannot be stressed enough the importance of following up with the services and resources provided to ensure a successful exit from the transition program. You’ll notice there are numerous places for which to write down notes after most sections. I suggest writing down those people that are instrumental in your transition. Get phone numbers whenever possible.

Do not rely only on your phone to record your contacts and documents.

Securing Documentation and Important Information:

For those veterans in shelters or on the street who would like to have their documents scanned into a file and the originals secured, reach out to me and I will hold the originals with me here and then provide hard copies as well as email copies of your file in a pdf. For those who are filing claims, be sure to keep your research and follow-up information handy for reference when interacting with Veterans Affairs.

Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst:

If you don’t have a New York State ID, Social Security card, EBT enrollment, DD214, and VA enrollment, it only makes sense these will be required to obtain housing. Make it a job of obtaining these documents before anything else. The process is frustrating as it is, so having all your documentation before starting the process will make it that much quicker.

Be Mindful of Dates:

Most all documents you will encounter have some sort of renewal date to maintain participation in any of the housing programs. Veterans on disability or receiving a pension are required to update their VA award letter every 90 days. Current mental health information will need to be submitted for supportive housing. 

Ask Questions, Get Involved:

Do not make the mistake of putting all the pressure on the case worker. They are there to assist with the housing process but take control of your success by keeping engaged with the case workers and housing counselors. Ask how you can help. Ask about different programs and ensure both eligibility and enrollment are complete. Do not depend on the case worker to follow up with housing. It’s not their job.

HPD works to ensure the physical safety and quality of homes across the city to maintain the health and well-being of those who live in them. Examples of our work:

We enforce the New York City Housing Maintenance Code on behalf of tenants, inspecting homes for housing quality and safety, training and educating property owners, bringing cases in Housing Court, requiring emergency repairs, and more. Learn more about Code Enforcement.

We work to ensure that existing affordable housing stays affordable and in good physical condition into the future by helping owners stabilize their buildings with tax-exemptions, repair loans, outreach, and education; and working with qualified community partners to rehabilitate properties in distress. Learn more about Home Repair and Preservation Financing.

Housing Preservation & Development

100 Gold Street, 

New York, NY 10038.

Section 8 Local Program Administrators

In New York City:

HCR directly administers the HCV Program in New York City through its Subsidy Services Bureau.

Subsidy Services Bureau

NYS Homes and Community Renewal

25 Beaver Street, 2nd Floor

New York, New York 10004

(212) 480-6672

Email: subsidyservicesinfo@nyshcr.org

Outside New York City:

Outside of New York City, HCR's HCV Program is locally administered by Local Administrators. For more information on HCV Programs in areas listed below, contact the appropriate Local Administrator or the NYS HCR Statewide Section 8 Voucher Program at section8info@nyshcr.org . Or contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to determine if a PHA operates in your area.

Counties offering Home Ownership Vouchers (HOV) Local Administrators

County Office Address

Allegany

ACCORD Corporation

84 Schuyler Street

P.O. Box 573

Belmont, NY 14813

T: (585) 268-7605

F: (585) 268-7241

Cattaraugus

Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc.

132 North Union Street

Suite 107

Olean, NY 14760

T: (716) 372-2550

F: (716) 372-9107

Cayuga

Cayuga County Homsite Development Corp.

60 Clark Street

Auburn, NY 13021

T: (315) 253-8451

F: (315) 255-6114

Chautauqua

Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc.

402 Chandler Street

Jamestown, NY 14701

T: (716) 661-9430

F: (716) 661-9436

Chemung

Arbor Housing and Development

26 Bridge Street

Corning, NY 14830

T: (607) 654-7487

F: (607) 973-2202

Chenango

Greater Opportunities for Broome and Chenango, Inc.

44 West Main Street

PO Box 470

Norwich, NY 13815-0470

T: (607) 334-7114

F: (607) 336-6958

Clinton

Adirondack Roots

24 Margaret Street, Suite 1

Plattsburgh, NY 12901

T: (518) 825-0801

F: (518) 563-2824

Columbia

Joseph E. Mastrianni, Inc. Central Office

P.O. Box 5090

Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

T: (518) 372-8846

F: (518) 372-8467

Delaware

Delaware Opportunities, Inc.

35430 State Highway 10

Hamden, NY 13782

T: (607) 746-1650

F: (607) 746-1648

Dutchess

PathStone

Hollowbrook Park Plaza, Building 3

29 Marshall Road, Suite 3F

Wappingers Falls, NY 12590

T: (845) 298-8998

F: (845) 298-9021

Essex

Adirondack Roots

103 Hand Avenue

P.O. Box 157

Elizabethtown, NY 12932

T: (518) 873-6888

F: (518) 873-9102

Franklin

Franklin County Community Housing Council, Inc.

337 West Main Street

Malone, NY 12953

T: (518) 483-5934

F: (518) 483-0984

Fulton

Joseph E. Mastrianni, Inc. Central Office

P.O. Box 5090

Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

T: (518) 372-8846

F: (518) 372-8467

Genesee

PathStone

30 Jefferson Square

Batavia, NY 14020

T: (585) 343-3861

F: (585) 343-5442

Greene

Rural Ulster Preservation Co. (RUPCO)

289 Fair Street

Kingston, NY 12401

T: (845) 331-2140

F: (845) 331-6217

Hamilton

Joseph E. Mastrianni, Inc.

P.O. Box 5090

Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

T: (518) 372-8846

F: (518) 372-8467

Herkimer

Joseph E. Mastrianni, Inc. Central Office

P.O. Box 5090

Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

T: (518) 372-8846

F: (518) 372-8467

Jefferson

Lewis County Opportunities, Inc.

749 Leray Street

Watertown, NY 13601

T: (315) 788-0193

F: (315) 782-3813

Lewis

Lewis County Opportunities, Inc.

8265 State Rt 812

Lowville, NY 13367

T: (315) 376-8202

F: (315) 376-8421

Livingston

Livingston County

Department of Social Services

1 Murray Hill Drive

Mt. Morris, NY 14510

T: (585) 243-7300

F: (585) 243-7344

Madison

Joseph E. Mastrianni, Inc. Central Office

P.O. Box 5090

Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

T: (518) 372-8846

F: (518) 373-8467

Nassau

Community Development Corporation of Long Island, Inc.

1660 Walt Whitman Rd, Suite 130

Melville, NY 11747

T: (631) 471-1215

F: (631) 471-2167

New York City

NYS Homes & Community Renewal

Subsidy Services Bureau

25 Beaver Street, 2nd Floor

New York, New York 10004

T: (212) 480-6672

F: (212) 480-6677

Niagara

Belmont Housing Resources for WNY

2393 Main Street

Buffalo, NY 14214

T: (716) 884-7791

F: (716) 884-8026

Oneida

Joseph E. Mastrianni, Inc. Central Office

P.O. Box 5090

Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

T: (518) 372-8846

F: (518) 372-8467

Ontario

Geneva Housing Authority

41 Lewis Street

P.O. Box 153

Geneva, NY 14456

T: (315) 789-8010

F: (315) 789-8024

Orange

PathStone

1 Industrial Drive

Suite 3

Middletown, NY 10941

T: (845) 343-0771

F: (845)343-8494

Orleans

Pathstone

243 South Main Street Suite 100-102

Albion, NY 14411

T: (585) 283-4490

F: (585) 283-4525

Oswego

Oswego County Housing

46 East Bridge Street, 3rd Floor

Oswego, NY 13126

T:(315) 349-8263

F: (315) 349-8417

Otsego

Otsego Rural Housing Assistance, Inc.

140 Co Hwy 33W, Box 4

Cooperstown, NY 13326

T: (607) 547-8839

F: (607) 286-7244

Putnam

Putnam County Housing Corporation

11 Seminary Hill Road

Carmel, NY 10512

T: (845) 225-8493

F: (845) 225-8532

Rockland

Rockland County Department of Social Services

50 Sanatorium Road, Building L

Pomona, NY 10970

T: (845) 364-3330

F: (845) 364-3222

Saratoga

Joseph E. Mastrianni, Inc.

P.O. Box 5090

Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

T: (518) 372-8846

F: (518) 372-8467

Schuyler

Arbor Housing and Development

26 Bridge Street             

Corning, NY 14830

T: (607) 654-7487

F: (607) 973-2202

Seneca

Seneca Housing, Inc.

11 Auburn Road

Seneca Falls, NY 13148

T: (315) 568-2200

F: (315) 568-4311

St. Lawrence

St. Lawrence County Community Development Program

One Commerce Lane

Canton, NY 13617

T: (315) 386-1102

F: (315) 379-0380

Steuben

Arbor Housing and Development

26 Bridge Street

Corning, NY 14830

T: (607) 654-7487

F: (607) 973-2202

Suffolk

Community Development Corporation of Long Island, Inc.

1660 Walt Whitman Rd, Suite 130

Melville, NY 11747

T: (631) 471-1215

F: (631) 471-2167

Sullivan

PathStone

457 Broadway, Suite 5

Monticello, NY 12701

T: (845) 794-4880

F: (845) 794-4939

Tioga

Tioga Opportunities Program, Inc.

1023 State Route 38

Owego, NY 13827

T: (607) 687-0707

F: (607) 687-2017

Tompkins

Tompkins Community Action

701 Spencer Road

Ithaca, NY 14850

T: (607) 273-8816

F: (607) 256-1082

Ulster

Rural Ulster Preservation Company

289 Fair Street

Kingston, NY 12401

T: (845) 331-2140

F: (845) 331-6217

Washington

Joseph E. Mastrianni, Inc.

Central Office Housing Choice Voucher Program

P.O. Box 5090

Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

T: (518) 372-8846

F: (518) 372-8467

Wayne

Geneva Housing Authority

41 Lewis Street

P.O. Box 153

Geneva, NY 14456

T: (315) 789-8010

F: (315) 789-8024

Westchester

CVR New York Westchester HCVP

112 East Post Rd., Room 102

White Plains, NY 10601

T: (914) 995-2415

F: (914) 995-5839

Wyoming

Wyoming County Community Action, Inc.

6470 Route 20A, Suite 1

Perry, NY 14530

T: (585) 237-2600

F: (585) 237-2696

Yates

PathStone

30 Jefferson Square

Batavia, NY 14020

T: (585) 343-3861

F: (585) 343-5442 

If you live in Westchester County and would like to inquire about the ESOP housing mobility counseling program:

• Westchester Mobility Counseling Program

Westchester - ESOP (Enhanced Section 8 Outreach Program)

20 South Broadway, Suite 1102

Yonkers, NY 10701-3724

(914) 964-5519

Supportive Housing

Supportive housing is affordable housing with supportive social services in place for individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Supportive housing typically comes in two setting model types: congregate (the only one developers work with) and scattered-site.

In the Congregate Housing model, all tenants live in one building and each has his/her own individual room or apartment. Tenants have their own lease and pay rent directly to the landlord. These buildings typically have a rental subsidy connected to the apartment that allows the rent to be very affordable for the tenant. In a scattered-site model, apartments are scattered throughout the city in different buildings owned by private landlords. Leases are most often between the landlord and a non-profit provider.

All tenants have a sub-lease and are responsible to contribute 30% of their income towards the rent and utilities. There are supportive housing programs designated for adult families (all adults over 18), for families with children, and for young adults (18-25) aging out of foster care or in a shelter who are pregnant or have children. As with all populations, a 2010e application must be submitted to determine if the head of household is eligible for supportive housing.

The HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program combines HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance for homeless Veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VA provides these services for participating Veterans at VA medical centers (VAMCs), community-based outreach clinics (CBOCs), through VA contractors, or through other VA designated entities.

HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing

HUD-VASH Vouchers

American Veterans Assistance Group (AVAG) is a qualified 501(c)(3) charitable organization providing low and moderate income families with quality, affordable housing since 1997 and now offers help to veterans and their families through it’s Veterans Assistance Program. This is NOT a government program.