Rental Assistance Programs for Manhattan Residents
Manhattan has some of the highest rents in the country and a concentrated set of organizations working specifically on keeping low-income tenants housed. Emergency rent grants from HRA, eviction prevention through Homebase, and free legal representation under New York City's Right to Counsel law are all available — but they serve specific populations, and the right starting point depends on your situation. This page covers verified contacts for rent and deposit assistance, and everything in between.
If you have a court date, the legal aid section is where to look first. If you're behind on rent but haven't received court papers yet, Homebase and HRA programs are the more direct path. For information on additional options that may help, that cover all boroughs, see the New York City rent assistance page for all 5 borough.
Government emergency rent help
HRA Emergency Assistance — One Shot Deal (Manhattan)
Manhattan residents facing eviction can apply for a one-time emergency rent grant through HRA. Apply online via ACCESS HRA or in person at your nearest HRA Benefits Access Center. At least one household member generally needs to meet immigration status requirements for cash assistance eligibility, though exceptions apply. You'll need to show why you fell behind and that you can pay rent going forward. As another option, HRA Security Deposit Voucher and Broker's Fee Voucher may also be offered. Contact: Apply at access.nyc.gov or call DSS OneNumber (718) 557-1399. Website: https://www.nyc.gov/site/hra/index.page
Homebase eviction prevention — Manhattan locations
Manhattan's two Homebase offices are operated by SUS (Services for the UnderServed) — Urgent Housing Programs. Unlike some boroughs where sites are zip-code-restricted, both Manhattan Homebase offices serve all Manhattan residents.
- SUS — Washington Heights Homebase - Serves all of Manhattan. Contact: 516 West 181st Street, 4th Floor | (917) 492-1019. Website: sus.org
- SUS — East Harlem Homebase - Serves all of Manhattan. Contact: 2322 Third Avenue, 3rd Floor | (917) 492-1019. Website: sus.org
Additional emergency rent and eviction prevention programs focused on Manhattan
Catholic Charities Community Services — Eviction Prevention Grant Program (EPGP)
Catholic Charities' EPGP serves Manhattan residents at or below 80% of Area Median Income who are at risk of eviction or already have a housing court case. Services include housing court guidance, case management, landlord mediation, help applying for rent subsidies and benefits, and limited legal advocacy. Staff also assist Manhattan and Bronx residents in applying for FHEPS and other ongoing rent supplement programs. Contact: (888) 744-7900. Website: cccsny.org or https://catholiccharitiesny.org/
Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation (NMIC)
NMIC provides housing legal services, eviction prevention, and tenant rights assistance for residents of Upper Manhattan — Washington Heights, Inwood, and surrounding neighborhoods. Also contracted through the city's Office of Civil Justice for tenant legal representation. Contact: 45 Wadsworth Avenue, New York, NY 10033 | (929) 415-8745. Website: https://www.nmic.org/en/
East Harlem Neighborhood Based Alliance (EHNBAC)
Provides homelessness prevention services for East Harlem residents, including help applying for emergency One Shot Deal grants, landlord mediation, referrals to security deposit programs, and shelter coordination. Services are funding-dependent — call to confirm current availability before visiting. Contact: 413 East 120th Street, Suite 301, New York, NY 10035 | (212) 289-1900.
Housing Conservation Coordinators (HCC)
Provides housing legal services and tenant advocacy for Hell's Kitchen and Clinton area residents. Contracted through the city's Office of Civil Justice for eviction defense. Contact: 777 Tenth Avenue, New York, NY 10019 | (212) 541-5996. Website: https://www.hcc-nyc.org/
Section 8 Housing Vouchers
NYCHA Section 8 — Manhattan
Manhattan residents can contact NYCHA directly for Section 8 inquiries. The citywide waitlist reopened via lottery in June 2024 after being closed since 2009. While the list is rarely open, monitor the NYCHA website for any future openings. Contact: (212) 306-3322 | selfserve.nycha.info. Website: https://www.nyc.gov/site/nycha/index.page
Free legal help for tenants
The Legal Aid Society — Manhattan Offices
Free civil legal services for income-qualifying Manhattan residents, including eviction defense, public housing matters, habitability disputes, and landlord harassment. If you have a housing court date, attending court connects you to Right to Counsel services — you don't need to contact Legal Aid in advance. Harlem Civil office: 2090 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard, New York, NY 10027 | (212) 426-3000. Lower Manhattan: 199 Water Street, New York, NY 10038 | (212) 440-4300. Website: https://legalaidnyc.org/
Manhattan Legal Services (Legal Services NYC)
Free civil legal services for low-income Manhattan residents in housing law, eviction defense, immigration-linked housing issues, and benefits access. Citywide intake hotline: (917) 661-4500. Contact: 1 West 125th Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10027. Website: https://www.legalservicesnyc.org/
Mobilization for Justice
Provides free legal advice, counsel, and full representation to low-income Manhattan tenants facing eviction, unsafe conditions, and housing discrimination, including specialized services for seniors and SRO residents. Also runs community legal education clinics at partner sites in Lower Manhattan and the East Village. Contact: 100 William Street, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10038 | (212) 417-3700. Housing intake line: (212) 417-3700. Website: https://mobilizationforjustice.org/
Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation (NMIC) — Legal Services
In addition to eviction prevention services, NMIC provides direct legal representation in housing court for Upper Manhattan tenants. Contracted through the Office of Civil Justice. Contact: 45 Wadsworth Avenue, New York, NY 10033 | (929) 415-8745. Website: https://www.nmic.org/en/
New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG)
Provides free civil legal services citywide including eviction defense and housing-related legal help for low-income Manhattan residents. Contact: (929) 356-9582. Website: https://nylag.org/
311 and 211
Manhattan residents can call 311 to reach city agencies including HRA, or dial 211 for referrals to nonprofit programs. Both have gaps — programs like The Bridge Fund and several legal aid offices on this page won't come up through either line.
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