FHEPS vs CityFHEPS: What's the Difference?

If you're trying to navigate NYC's rental assistance programs, you've probably run into two similar-sounding names: FHEPS and CityFHEPS. They're related but not the same thing, and understanding the difference matters because it determines what you qualify for, how much rent gets covered, and what your path to housing looks like.

Here's the short version: FHEPS is a state-funded program specifically for families with children who receive Cash Assistance. CityFHEPS is a city-funded program with broader eligibility that consolidated several older programs into one. Most people applying for rental assistance in NYC today will be evaluated for CityFHEPS, but FHEPS still exists as a separate track for certain situations.

What Is FHEPS?

FHEPS stands for Family Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement. It's a rent supplement program that was originally funded and administered by New York State, though administration is now transitioning to the city. The program was formerly known as FEPS (Family Eviction Prevention Supplement) before it expanded to include survivors of domestic violence.

FHEPS is specifically designed for families with children who receive Cash Assistance and meet one of these situations: they've been evicted or are facing eviction, they lost housing due to domestic violence, or they lost housing because of health or safety issues.

Key FHEPS requirements:

You must be receiving Cash Assistance

Your household must include at least one child under 18, or a child 18 or younger who is a full-time student, or a pregnant person

You must be facing eviction, have recently been evicted, or have lost housing due to domestic violence or health/safety issues

FHEPS can help in two main ways: it can pay back rent to help you stay in your current apartment (FHEPS to stay), or it can help pay rent to move into a new apartment if you were recently evicted or can't stay in your current home (FHEPS to move).

You can apply for FHEPS through an HRA Benefits Access Center, through the ACCESS HRA website or app, or by contacting a Homebase provider if you need help moving to a new apartment.

What Is CityFHEPS?

CityFHEPS stands for City Fighting Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement. It launched in October 2018 and consolidated seven previous rental assistance programs, including LINC 1, 2, 4, and 5, SEPS, and the old CityFEPS program, into a single program with unified eligibility rules and payment standards.

The big difference is that CityFHEPS serves both individuals and families, not just families with children. It's also indexed to Section 8 payment standards (specifically the Fair Market Rent standards adopted by NYCHA), which means the maximum rents it covers are generally higher than what the old programs allowed.

CityFHEPS can help you find and keep housing anywhere in New York State for up to five years, with possible extensions for good cause. It's administered by DSS, which includes both the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) and the Human Resources Administration (HRA).

CityFHEPS eligibility generally requires:

Gross income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level

Being in a DHS or HRA shelter, being at risk of entering shelter, or meeting other qualifying circumstances

If eligible for Cash Assistance, you must be receiving it (you can't have a sanction on your case)

Key Differences at a Glance

Which Program Will You Be Evaluated For?

In practice, when you contact a Homebase office or apply through HRA, the agency will determine which program(s) you might qualify for based on your specific circumstances. You don't necessarily need to know in advance whether you're a better fit for FHEPS or CityFHEPS, though understanding the differences helps you know what to expect.

If you're a family with children receiving Cash Assistance and you're facing eviction or lost housing due to domestic violence, you'll likely be evaluated for FHEPS eligibility. The program was specifically designed for this situation, particularly for domestic violence survivors, and the eligibility determination follows New York State definitions.

If you're a single adult, or a family that doesn't meet FHEPS criteria, or you're currently in a DHS shelter, you'll likely be evaluated for CityFHEPS. This program has broader eligibility and serves as the primary rental assistance track for most people in the shelter system or at risk of homelessness.

Some households may qualify for both programs. In those cases, the agency will work with you to determine which program makes the most sense for your situation.

Payment Standards: How Much Do These Programs Cover?

One of the most important practical differences is how much rent each program will pay.

CityFHEPS payment standards are indexed to the Section 8 Fair Market Rent standards adopted by NYCHA. As of mid-2025, these range from about $1,985 for an SRO to $2,762 for a one-bedroom to $4,519 for a five-bedroom (within NYC). These amounts assume all utilities are included. If you pay some utilities separately, the amount is adjusted using a utility allowance.

FHEPS payment standards have historically been lower, though the program does publish its own payment standard schedule. The exact amounts depend on family size and other factors.

Because CityFHEPS is indexed to Section 8 rates, voucher holders can generally compete for a wider range of apartments than was possible under the old LINC or SEPS programs, where the maximum rents were too low for much of the NYC market. This was one of the main reasons the city consolidated the programs and raised the payment standards.

How the Application Process Works

For both programs, the typical entry point is through a Homebase office or through ACCESS HRA.

If you're in shelter: Your shelter housing specialist or case manager will help evaluate your eligibility and guide you through the application. For CityFHEPS, you'll receive a Shopping Letter that tells you the maximum rent you can search for, and a Household Share Letter that tells you how much you'll pay out of pocket.

If you're in the community facing eviction: Contact your local Homebase provider or apply through ACCESS HRA. For FHEPS to stay (keeping your current apartment by paying back rent), you can start through ACCESS HRA by selecting "help with rent arrears." For FHEPS to move, work with a Homebase provider.

If you're a family with children and a domestic violence situation: You may be specifically evaluated for FHEPS, which was expanded to serve survivors of domestic violence. Your caseworker can help determine the best path.

Once you have a shopping letter, you can start searching for housing. The CityFHEPS documents page has FAQs and forms for both tenants in shelter and tenants at risk of entering shelter that explain the process in detail.

What Landlords Need to Know

If you're a landlord or broker, both FHEPS and CityFHEPS offer similar benefits: you receive the first month's rent in full plus several additional months of the supplement upfront, along with ongoing monthly payments from HRA for as long as the tenant remains eligible (up to five years with extensions).

CityFHEPS rents are indexed to Section 8 standards, which means the amounts are competitive with market rates. Landlords also receive a security voucher and may qualify for a unit hold incentive equal to one month's rent.

The CityFHEPS FAQ for Landlords and Brokers and the FHEPS Program Landlord Fact Sheet provide details on the process, payment schedules, and requirements.

Source of income discrimination is illegal in NYC. Landlords cannot refuse to rent to someone because they receive FHEPS, CityFHEPS, Section 8, or any other form of lawful rental assistance.

Renewals and Duration

Both FHEPS and CityFHEPS last up to five years, with the possibility of extensions for good cause if you continue to meet eligibility requirements and funding is available.

For CityFHEPS, your subsidy must be renewed annually. HRA mails you a renewal application about five months before the end of your subsidy year. You can submit renewals through ACCESS HRA, by email, or by mail.

For FHEPS, similar renewal processes apply. If your circumstances change (income, household composition, rent increase), you should request a modification through ACCESS HRA or your Homebase provider.

Statewide Use

Both programs can be used anywhere in New York State, not just within NYC. If you're considering moving outside the city but within New York, the payment standards adjust based on the county. CityFHEPS has a statewide page with information about maximum rents by county.

Resources

• CityFHEPS main page (NYC HRA)
• FHEPS main page (NYC HRA)
• CityFHEPS documents and FAQs
• Homebase locations (find your local office)
• ACCESS HRA (apply online)
• DSS OneNumber: 718-557-1399 (for questions about rental assistance)

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Looking for housing that accepts CityFHEPS or FHEPS? Browse voucher-friendly listings from landlords who welcome rental assistance programs.

Landlord interested in renting to voucher holders? List your property on VoucherMatch and connect with tenants searching for housing.