Rent Help in New York City — What's Available and Where to Start
New York City has more rental assistance programs than most places in the country, but they work very differently from each other. Some cover back rent, others help with security deposits, first month's rent, or broker's fees. Some are ongoing monthly subsidies, and some are free legal services that can stop an eviction without any money changing hands.
Which programs you can access depends on your income, immigration status, how far behind you are, and whether you've already received court papers. The programs below are verified citywide resources open to renters across all five boroughs.
Government emergency rent programs
HRA Emergency Assistance — One Shot Deal
New York City's Human Resources Administration provides one-time emergency grants to income-qualifying residents facing eviction for unpaid rent. You'll need to document why you fell behind and show you can pay ongoing rent going forward. Applications can be submitted online through ACCESS HRA or in person at your nearest HRA Benefits Access Center. At least one household member generally needs to be eligible for cash assistance based on immigration status, though exceptions exist — and seniors on SSI face a different set of rules. Contact: Apply at https://access.nyc.gov/ or call DSS OneNumber (718) 557-1399. Website: https://www.nyc.gov/site/hra/index.page
CityFHEPS (City Fighting Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement)
The city's primary ongoing rental subsidy program for households at serious risk of eviction or homelessness. CityFHEPS pays a monthly supplement directly to landlords for up to five years and can now be used anywhere in New York State, not just within the five boroughs. To apply, contact your nearest Homebase office — there are more than 20 locations across all boroughs. Shelter residents can apply through their case manager. Contact: Call 311 to find the nearest Homebase office, or search locations at https://www.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/homebase.page. Program inquiries: (718) 557-1399. Website: https://www.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/cityfheps.page
FHEPS (Family Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement)
A rent supplement for families with children who receive Cash Assistance and are facing eviction, lost housing due to domestic violence, or are displaced by health or safety conditions. Formerly called FEPS — the program has been renamed, expanded, and transferred from state to city administration. Apply at an HRA Benefits Access Center or through ACCESS HRA if you already have an active Cash Assistance case. Contact: (718) 557-1399 or access.nyc.gov. Website: https://www.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/fheps.page
Citywide nonprofit and faith-based rent assistance
Catholic Charities — Rent Payment Helpline
Provides information, referrals, and in some cases direct emergency assistance for rent and housing costs regardless of faith. Serves the working poor, seniors, recent immigrants, and others in housing crisis. Program availability varies by location and current funding. Contact: (888) 744-7900. Website: https://catholiccharitiesny.org/
Society of St. Vincent de Paul — New York Archdiocese
SVdP delivers short-term emergency assistance for rent and housing costs through a network of parish volunteer conferences across all five boroughs. Based on available funding; call the main number to be connected to the conference nearest you. Contact: (212) 755-8615.
Community Service Society (CSS)
CSS runs three distinct emergency housing programs. Emergency Rent Arrears grants assist renters at imminent risk of eviction. Emergency Relocation Assistance covers first month's rent, security deposits, and utility deposits for renters moving to more affordable or safer housing. Short-term rent subsidies are available for households that have lost income suddenly. All programs are open to New Yorkers regardless of immigration status. Contact: 633 Third Avenue, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10017 | (212) 254-8900. Website: https://cssny.org/
Housing Court Answers
Operates a referral hotline for tenants citywide covering rental assistance programs, tenant legal rights, housing court procedures, and shelter resources. Particularly useful for tenants who have received court papers and need to quickly understand their options. Contact: (212) 962-4795. Website: https://housingcourtanswers.org/
Coalition for the Homeless — Eviction Prevention Program
One of the few citywide organizations offering direct eviction prevention intake open to all New York City residents, regardless of borough. Provides small one-time grants and advocacy to help households resolve rental arrears and avoid homelessness. Capacity is limited — intake is by phone only, generally on Wednesday mornings starting at 9:30 a.m. Calls on any other day or before 9:30 a.m. Wednesday will not result in an appointment. No walk-ins for eviction prevention services. Contact: 129 Fulton Street, New York, NY 10038 | Eviction Prevention Hotline: 1-888-850-2712 (Wednesdays 9:30 a.m. only). Website: https://www.coalitionforthehomeless.org/
The Bridge Fund of New York City
Serves working poor households facing eviction who do not qualify for government emergency assistance programs — filling a gap that most other programs leave open. Provides interest-free loans and grants to cover rent arrears, paired with budget counseling. A referral is required to access services; you cannot apply directly. Referrals come through social service agencies, legal aid providers, community groups, religious organizations, or Housing Court Answers (call 212-962-4795, Tuesday–Thursday). Contact via referral only. Website: https://thebridgefund.org/
Section 8 and income-based housing
New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) — Housing Choice Voucher Program
NYCHA administers Section 8 vouchers for the entire city. The waitlist was closed to the general public for 15 years before reopening briefly in June 2024, when 200,000 households were selected via lottery for the first time since 2009. Monitor the NYCHA website for updates. In-person Section 8 inquiries can be handled at the Brooklyn or Bronx Customer Contact Centers. Contact: Brooklyn Center: 787 Atlantic Avenue, 2nd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11238. Bronx Center: 478 East Fordham Road, 2nd Floor, Bronx, NY 10458. General: (212) 306-3322. Website: https://www.nyc.gov/site/nycha/index.page
Veterans — rental and housing assistance
Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)
SSVF provides short-term financial assistance — including rental arrears, security deposits, utility payments, and moving costs — to very low-income veteran families who are homeless or at imminent risk of losing housing. Household income must be at or below 80% of area median income. NYC-based SSVF providers include the following. To start: email [email protected] or call (877) 737-0111. Website: va.gov/homeless/ssvf
- Volunteers of America — Greater New York: 135 West 50th Street, New York, NY 10020 | [email protected]
- Services for the UnderServed (SUS): 463 7th Avenue, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10018 | (877) 583-5336
- Jericho Project: 245 West 29th Street, Suite 902, New York, NY 10001 | (646) 624-2341
- HELP USA (Bronx-based, serves veterans citywide): (646) 619-3299
HUD-VASH (HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing)
Combines Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers with VA case management for veterans who are homeless. Access begins at your nearest VA medical center — ask for a Homeless Coordinator. National Call Center for Homeless Veterans 1-877-424-3838, available 24/7.
Free tenant legal aid — citywide
Office of Civil Justice (OCJ) — Universal Right to Counsel
The city funds free legal representation for income-qualifying tenants facing eviction. If you have a housing court date, you do not need to contact OCJ in advance — attending your court date connects you to a legal service provider through the Right to Counsel process. For other housing legal matters, email [email protected] with your name, phone number, and case index number if you have one. Website: https://www.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/legal-services-for-tenants.page
The Legal Aid Society — Citywide
Free civil legal services for income-qualifying residents across all five boroughs. Handles eviction defense, habitability issues, public housing matters, housing discrimination, and landlord-tenant disputes. Borough offices: Bronx (718) 991-4600 | Brooklyn (718) 722-3100 | Manhattan (212) 426-3000 | Queens (718) 286-2450 | Staten Island (347) 422-5333. Website: https://legalaidnyc.org/
Legal Services NYC
A citywide network of legal offices providing free representation in housing, benefits, and family law for low-income New Yorkers. Includes offices in every borough. Citywide intake hotline: (917) 661-4500. Website: https://www.legalservicesnyc.org/
Resources by borough
Borough-specific programs, local contacts, and eviction resources are on dedicated pages. For Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island, those pages are live now.
A note on 211 - integrated with 311 in NYC
Dialing 2-1-1 connects you to a referral line for local programs. It's worth trying, but not every program on this page appears in the 211 database — particularly smaller nonprofit funds and newer government programs. Use it as one tool alongside this page.
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