NYC rental assistance programs

We search on your behalf. When you become a Mena Realty client, we look for apartments for you, based on your budget, your needs and any rental assistance program you use, and we guide you from application to keys. We register clients first so we know who we are working with and can explain our terms and any fees in writing before you commit. Under the FARE Act, you do not need to be our client to ask about an apartment a landlord has hired us to rent.

Rental assistance programs pay some or all of the rent for eligible New Yorkers, and the program sends its share directly to the landlord. Mena Realty has helped renters who use these programs for many years, and this guide explains the main ones in plain language. Each program decides who qualifies and how much it pays.

General information only. Program rules, rent limits and contacts change, so always confirm the details with the program or your caseworker.

The main programs at a glance

Program	Run by	Who it is for	What you usually pay
CityFHEPS	NYC Department of Social Services (HRA and DHS)	People in shelter or at risk of entering shelter, such as facing eviction	About 30% of household income
FHEPS	NYC HRA and DHS	Families with children who receive Cash Assistance and are in shelter, facing eviction or recently evicted	Depends on income and household size; many families have the full rent covered
Section 8 (Housing Choice Voucher)	Federally funded; run in NYC by NYCHA, HPD and NYS Homes and Community Renewal	Low-income households	About 30% of household income
HASA rental assistance	NYC HRA HIV/AIDS Services Administration	NYC residents diagnosed with HIV or AIDS	No more than 30% of income
SOTA	NYC DHS	Shelter residents with steady income who move out of shelter	One year of rent paid by the program; one time only

CityFHEPS

CityFHEPS helps people leave shelter or avoid entering it. It pays part of the rent for up to five years, and the household must renew every year. The household usually pays about 30% of its income and the City pays the rest to the landlord, up to a maximum rent amount. It can now be used anywhere in New York State.

If you are in shelter, your shelter case manager or housing specialist can help.
If you are facing eviction, contact your local Homebase office (call 311).
More: CityFHEPS on NYC.gov

FHEPS

FHEPS helps families with children who receive Cash Assistance and have been evicted, are facing eviction, or lost housing because of domestic violence. The amount depends on household income and size, and many families have their full rent covered by FHEPS plus their Cash Assistance shelter allowance.

The family must have an active Cash Assistance case (or qualify for it when leaving shelter).
Families in shelter work with their case manager or housing specialist; families in the community can contact Homebase.
More: FHEPS on ACCESS NYC

Section 8 (Housing Choice Voucher)

Section 8 is a federal program that helps low-income households rent in the neighborhood of their choice. The household usually pays about 30% of its monthly income, and the housing agency pays the rest directly to the landlord. In New York City, vouchers are issued by NYCHA, HPD and NYS Homes and Community Renewal. The apartment must pass a housing quality inspection.

More: HPD Section 8

HASA rental assistance

The HIV/AIDS Services Administration (HASA) offers case management and help with housing for New York City residents diagnosed with HIV or AIDS. HASA clients in its rental assistance program pay no more than 30% of their income toward rent.

Apply through the HRA ServiceLine (DSS OneNumber, 718-557-1399) or ask your medical or service provider for a referral.
More: HASA on NYC.gov

SOTA (Special One-Time Assistance)

SOTA pays one year of rent for eligible shelter residents who have steady income from work, SSI or SSD, and whose rent will be no more than 40% of their income. The program pays the landlord monthly. It can be used in New York City, elsewhere in New York State, or in another state. A household can receive SOTA only once.

Ask your shelter case manager or housing specialist whether you qualify.
More: SOTA on NYC.gov

How the process usually works

Get your approval or shopping letter from the program and note when it expires.
Find an apartment within the program’s rent limit for your household size.
The landlord and the program complete the paperwork, and the apartment is reviewed or inspected.
The program approves the apartment and the rent.
You sign the lease and move in.

⚠ The City must clear an apartment before we can show it

For CityFHEPS, FHEPS and SOTA, the apartment must first be submitted to the City’s Department of Social Services (HRA and DHS) for a property check and a rent review. We can schedule a viewing only after the property check passes, and the full rent review can take up to about three weeks. That is why an apartment cannot always be shown right away. Thank you for your patience.

Do not sign a lease or pay money until your program approves the apartment.

Your rights

In New York City, it is illegal for a landlord or broker to refuse to rent to you because you pay with a rental assistance program. See Your rights as a renter.

How Mena Realty helps

Mena Realty Homes Corp. is a licensed real estate brokerage in the Bronx, helping renters across New York City since 2001. Our team speaks English and Spanish.

We have helped renters who use rental assistance programs for many years, and we know the paperwork each program asks for.
We help you search for apartments and prepare your packet.
We work with caseworkers and housing specialists to keep your case moving, including the City’s inspection and approval steps.

Want us to search for you?

Official sources

Have a question?

Rental Dept: (929) 362-5354 · Mon–Fri 10–5

Start My Search