HPD vs NYCHA Section 8: Understanding NYC's Three Voucher Programs
One of the most confusing things about Section 8 in New York City is that it's not a single program. Three different agencies administer Section 8 vouchers in NYC, each with their own application process, waitlist, contact information, and administrative procedures. If you have a voucher, it matters which agency issued it. If you're a landlord, you might deal with any of the three depending on which tenant applies.
Here's how the three programs work and what the differences mean for tenants and landlords.
The Three Section 8 Agencies in NYC
| Agency | Vouchers Administered | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|
| NYCHA | ~100,000+ | General public (when waitlist open), largest program |
| HPD | ~36,000 | Homeless referrals, displacement, special populations |
| HCR | Smaller program | Statewide program with NYC presence |
All three programs use the same federal funding source (HUD) and follow the same basic rules: tenants pay about 30% of their income toward rent, and the Housing Assistance Payment covers the rest. But how you get a voucher, who you contact for help, and the administrative details vary significantly.
NYCHA Section 8
The New York City Housing Authority runs the largest Section 8 program in the country. NYCHA administers over 100,000 vouchers through its Leased Housing Department, serving more than 200,000 residents. Over 25,000 landlords participate in the program.
How to get a NYCHA voucher: NYCHA is the only agency that has historically maintained a general waitlist that anyone can apply to. However, this waitlist has been closed for years and only opens occasionally through a lottery. The last lottery was in June 2024. When it opens, demand is massive since it's effectively the only path to Section 8 for most NYC residents who aren't being referred through another program.
Who NYCHA serves:
Contact information:
Payment timing: NYCHA receives HUD funding on the first business day of each month and processes landlord payments within one business day. Payments go via direct deposit only.
HPD Section 8
The NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development administers about 36,000 vouchers through its Division of Tenant Resources. Over 9,000 landlords participate in HPD's programs.
How to get an HPD voucher: You cannot apply directly to HPD for a Section 8 voucher. HPD vouchers are distributed through referrals from city agencies, primarily the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) and the Human Resources Administration (HRA). Housing specialists at shelters identify eligible residents and assist them in applying.
Who HPD serves:
Contact information:
Special programs HPD administers:
HCR Section 8
New York State Homes and Community Renewal operates a statewide Section 8 program and has a presence in NYC through its Subsidy Services Bureau. This is the smallest of the three programs operating in the city.
How to get an HCR voucher: HCR occasionally opens its NYC waitlist through a lottery. When open, applications are submitted through HCR's Section 8 MyHousing Portal. Priority is given to households experiencing homelessness, elderly and disabled households, and households with dependent children.
Who HCR serves:
Contact information:
Unique feature: HCR offers a Section 8 Homeownership Program that allows voucher holders to use their assistance toward mortgage payments instead of rent after participating in the program for at least one year.
Key Differences That Matter
For Tenants
Getting a voucher:
Portability: All three programs allow portability (moving your voucher to another jurisdiction), but the process goes through your issuing agency. If you have an HPD voucher and want to move to New Jersey, you work with HPD to initiate the transfer. The rules are the same since they're federal, but the paperwork and contacts differ.
Transfers within NYC: If you need an emergency transfer due to domestic violence or safety issues:
Recertification: All three require annual recertification, but you submit paperwork to your specific agency. NYCHA tenants use the Self-Service Portal, HPD tenants submit through the DTR Portal or by email, and HCR tenants contact the Subsidy Services Bureau.
For Landlords
Which agency you deal with depends entirely on the tenant's voucher. A landlord might have three Section 8 tenants from three different agencies in the same building.
Registration:
Payments: All three pay landlords directly via the Housing Assistance Payment. Timing and method vary slightly:
Inspections: All three conduct HQS inspections before move-in and periodically thereafter. The standards are the same (federal HQS), but you coordinate with whichever agency issued the tenant's voucher.
Rent increases: Process is similar across agencies (submit request 60 days before lease renewal, subject to rent reasonableness), but forms and submission methods differ.
What Landlords Need to Know
When a prospective tenant says "I have Section 8," your first question should be: Which agency? This determines:
- Who to contact with questions
- Where to submit paperwork
- Who conducts inspections
- Where your HAP payment comes from
You can accept tenants from any of the three programs. NYC's source of income discrimination law applies regardless of which agency issued the voucher.
Pro tip: Keep a contact sheet with all three agencies' information. You'll reference it whenever tenant issues arise.
| Agency | Landlord Contact | Portal |
|---|---|---|
| NYCHA | 718-707-7771 | Owner Extranet |
| HPD | 917-286-4300 | DTR Owner Portal |
| HCR | 212-480-6672 | MyHousing Portal |
What Tenants Need to Know
Your voucher doesn't change value based on which agency issued it. The payment standards and rules are set by HUD and apply across all three programs. What differs is the administrative experience:
- NYCHA has the largest program and most established systems (Owner Extranet, Self-Service Portal)
- HPD administers multiple special-purpose voucher programs and serves primarily homeless populations
- HCR is smaller but offers the homeownership option
If you have questions about your voucher, always contact your issuing agency. Calling NYCHA about an HPD voucher will just result in confusion and delays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch from one agency to another? No. Your voucher stays with the agency that issued it. The only way to get a voucher from a different agency is to give up your current one and apply to the other agency (not recommended, given waitlist lengths).
Do landlords prefer one agency over another? Most landlords don't have a preference since the fundamental program is the same. Some landlords report that NYCHA's larger infrastructure makes certain processes smoother, but experiences vary.
Are payment standards different between agencies? Payment standards can vary slightly since each agency sets their own within HUD's allowed range (90-110% of Fair Market Rent). In practice, NYC payment standards are similar across agencies because they all operate in the same housing market.
What if my voucher was issued by another state's PHA and I moved to NYC? Your voucher "ports" to one of the three NYC agencies (usually the one that accepts the transfer). You'd then work with that agency going forward while your original PHA may continue billing.
Resources
NYCHA:
HPD:
HCR:
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Looking for Section 8 housing in NYC? Browse voucher-friendly listings from landlords who accept all three programs.
Landlord accepting Section 8? List your property on VoucherMatch and connect with voucher holders from NYCHA, HPD, and HCR.
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