Housing

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) provides housing for low- and moderate-income residents throughout the five boroughs of New York City. NYCHAalso administers a citywide Section 8 Leased Housing Program in rental apartments.

Supportive housing is a combination of affordable housing and support services designed to help individuals and families use housing as a platform for health and recovery following a period of homelessness, hospitalization or incarceration or for youth aging out of foster care.

Supportive housing is affordable, permanent and independent housing that meets the needs of tenants by providing support and that is integrated within a neighborhood and community.

The two primary types of supportive housing are:

• Single-site (also referred to as congregate): A designated building where each individual or family has a private living quarters and may share kitchens and/or common recreational rooms or other facilities.

• Scattered-site: units in apartment buildings spread throughout a neighborhood or community that are designated for specific populations, accompanied by supportive services

Governed by a unique right to shelter mandate, New York City provides temporary emergency shelter to every man, woman, and child who is eligible for services, every night. This policy sets New York apart from municipalities across the nation−many of which turn homeless individuals and families away once shelters have filled up or simply put their names on a waiting list.

If you are a homeless family, a single pregnant woman, or a single adult, you can apply to enter the shelter system.

Runaway shelters are available to young people under 21 who are homeless or in crisis. Pregnant girls and young people under 21 with children are also eligible for crisis shelter. Services for sexually-exploited youth and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth are also available.

Check out this Homeless Shelter Intake Page to learn more about available resources and how to enter the shelter system.

Check out this Homeless Shelter Directory to find services in your area of NYC.

Eviction Prevention Services may include:

• Representation in housing court

• Negotiations with landlords and/or other advocacy assistance

• Inquiries into whether a tenant’s rent level is correct, whether there are conditions that require repair and whether these constitute defenses to a proceeding

• Preparation and filing of required agency and court papers

For more information on homeless prevention services, click here

Check out Homebase's Homeless Prevention Network for eviction prevention services in your area.

Supportive housing is affordable housing with on-site services that help formerly homeless, disabled tenants live in dignity in the community.

Supportive housing is permanent and affordable – all tenants hold leases and pay about a third of their income in rent. The residences are owned and operated by nonprofit organizations - and are accountable to their city, state, and federal funders.

Check out these resources for more information on obtaining supportive housing.

The NYC Department of Homeless Services operates 5 24-hour Drop-in Centers throughout the city that are generally geared towards the chronically street homeless, or other hard-to-reach homeless populations. Drop-In centers provide hot meals, showers, laundry facilities, clothing, medical care, recreational space, employment referrals and other social services. Staff also can help clients find a safe and secure place to sleep.