HUD-VASH Voucher NYC: A Complete Guide for Homeless Veterans

If you're a veteran experiencing homelessness in New York City, the HUD-VASH program might be the most direct path to stable housing available to you, and it works differently than the regular Section 8 lottery that most people think of when they hear "housing voucher."

HUD-VASH stands for HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing, and the name tells you almost everything you need to know about how it works: the Department of Housing and Urban Development provides the rental assistance while the VA provides case management and supportive services. Unlike the standard Section 8 program, which opened its waitlist in 2024 for the first time in 15 years and received over 600,000 applications, HUD-VASH operates on a referral basis through the VA. There's no lottery, no years-long waitlist in the traditional sense, though availability depends on voucher allocation and local capacity.

Who Qualifies for HUD-VASH

The eligibility requirements are straightforward but specific. You must be a veteran who was honorably discharged (or received a discharge under conditions other than dishonorable), you must meet the federal definition of homelessness, and you must be eligible for VA health care. The VA determines whether you need case management services to obtain and maintain housing, which is a key part of the program's structure.

The income limits follow standard Section 8 guidelines set by the local Public Housing Authority, so if you meet the homelessness criteria, income is rarely the barrier to entry. The bigger question is whether you meet the VA's health care eligibility requirements and whether you're willing to participate in ongoing case management, which is not optional.

Priority is generally given to veterans experiencing chronic homelessness or those with serious mental health or substance use challenges, though the VA makes these determinations on a case-by-case basis.

How to Apply for HUD-VASH in NYC

This is where HUD-VASH differs most dramatically from other voucher programs. You do not apply to NYCHA or HPD. Instead, you contact the VA directly, either by calling the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838 or by visiting a VA Medical Center and asking to speak with a Homeless Coordinator.

In New York City, the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System operates several locations where you can get connected to HUD-VASH services:

Brooklyn VA Medical Center 800 Poly Place, Brooklyn, NY 11209 Phone: 718-836-6600

Manhattan VA Medical Center (Margaret Cochran Corbin Campus) 423 East 23rd Street, New York, NY 10010 Phone: 212-686-7500

St. Albans Community Living Center 179-00 Linden Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11425 Phone: 718-526-1000

Harlem Clinic 55 West 125th Street, 11th Floor, Room 1101, New York, NY 10027 Phone: 212-686-7500, ext. 4656

You can also find homeless veteran care coordinators through the VA's online directory or by visiting ACCESS NYC's HUD-VASH page.

Once you contact the VA, a case manager will assess your situation and determine your eligibility. If approved, the VA refers you to the local Public Housing Authority, which in NYC is typically NYCHA, though HPD also administers some vouchers. From there, you receive a voucher and begin your housing search, but with one important difference from regular Section 8: your VA case manager helps you through the entire process.

The Role of Case Management

Case management is not an add-on to HUD-VASH; it's the heart of the program. Your VA case manager will help you find housing within a reasonable distance of a VA facility (generally defined as about an hour's travel time, though this can vary), assist with the application and inspection process, and provide ongoing support after you move in.

The VA maintains a mandated 25:1 case management ratio, meaning each case manager works with no more than 25 veterans. This level of attention is unusual in housing assistance programs and exists because HUD-VASH is designed not just to house veterans but to help them stay housed. The supportive services can include mental health treatment, substance use counseling, job training, and help accessing other VA benefits.

You must continue participating in case management to maintain your HUD-VASH voucher. If you stop engaging with your case manager, you risk losing your housing assistance.

How Rent Works with HUD-VASH

The financial structure mirrors other Section 8 programs. You pay 30% of your adjusted monthly income toward rent, and the voucher covers the difference between your contribution and the approved rent amount, up to the Fair Market Rent for the area.

For 2025 in NYC, the FMR rates are:

Just like regular Section 8, your total rent contribution cannot exceed 40% of your adjusted income at initial lease-up. The landlord receives the Housing Assistance Payment directly from HUD on your behalf.

You'll need to complete annual recertification to maintain your voucher, which involves updating your income and household information with both the PHA and the VA.

Finding Housing with a HUD-VASH Voucher

This is often the hardest part. NYC's rental market is competitive, and while it's illegal for landlords to refuse your voucher, finding landlords who actively welcome voucher holders can still take time. The Supportive Housing Network of New York has noted that HUD-VASH has a lower utilization rate in NYC compared to other areas, largely because of the difficulty locating available units in a low-vacancy market.

Your VA case manager can help with the housing search, but you should also use every resource available. VoucherMatch listings are specifically from landlords who accept vouchers, which eliminates one of the biggest barriers voucher holders face.

Once you find a unit, the process follows standard Section 8 procedures: the landlord submits paperwork to the PHA, the unit undergoes an HQS inspection to ensure it meets Housing Quality Standards, and if everything passes, you sign the lease and the HAP payments begin.

HUD-VASH Portability

One significant advantage of HUD-VASH is that the voucher is tenant-based and portable. If you need to move, whether to a different neighborhood in NYC or to another state entirely, your voucher can follow you. This works similarly to regular Section 8 portability, though you'll need to coordinate the transfer with your VA case manager and ensure continuity of your case management services in the new location.

For Landlords: What You Need to Know About HUD-VASH

If you're a landlord considering renting to a HUD-VASH voucher holder, the process is essentially the same as renting to any Section 8 tenant. The unit must pass an HQS inspection (use our free Pre-Inspection Checklist to prepare), you'll sign a HAP contract with the PHA, and you'll receive the housing assistance portion of rent directly from HUD each month.

The main differences from your perspective are all positive. HUD-VASH tenants have dedicated case managers who can help resolve issues before they escalate, provide a point of contact if problems arise, and support the tenant in maintaining stable housing. The NYC Human Resources Administration has a fact sheet for landlords that covers the basics.

To become a Section 8 landlord, you don't need to pre-register with NYCHA or any special HUD-VASH program. When a HUD-VASH voucher holder wants to rent your unit, you'll complete the standard Request for Tenancy Approval (RTA) form together and submit it to the PHA.

If you're ready to list a unit, you can add your property to VoucherMatch to connect with voucher holders actively searching for housing.

Other Resources for Homeless Veterans in NYC

HUD-VASH is the primary voucher program for homeless veterans, but it's not the only resource available. The New York State Division of Veterans' Services offers additional programs, and NYC's Department of Veterans' Services operates Veteran Resource Centers in all five boroughs where you can get connected to benefits assistance.

Other programs worth knowing about:

Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF): Provides case management and supportive services to prevent homelessness or rapidly rehouse veterans who have become homeless. Income must be at or below 80% of area median income.

Veterans Emergency Housing Program: A New York State program providing up to $2,000 for emergency housing expenses to veterans facing immediate housing hardship.

Grant and Per Diem Program: Funds transitional housing and service centers for homeless veterans through nonprofit and government providers.

For any of these programs, the starting point is usually the same: call 877-424-3838 or visit your nearest VA Medical Center.

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Find Housing That Accepts Your Voucher

Looking for an apartment? Browse VoucherMatch listings from landlords who welcome HUD-VASH and other housing vouchers.

Own rental property? List your unit on VoucherMatch to connect with voucher-ready tenants, including veterans with HUD-VASH vouchers who have dedicated case management support.

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Sources:

• HUD-VASH Program Overview, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
• HUD-VASH, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
• HUD-VASH Section 8, NYC Human Resources Administration
• Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program, New York State Division of Veterans' Services
• Supportive Housing for Veterans, ACCESS NYC
• VA New York Harbor Healthcare System