qaravan
RU EN
Donate

Resources Housing

Help paying rent, staying housed and leaving shelter

City money and rent subsidies if you are behind on rent, may lose your home or are leaving shelter.

Most of these programs belong to the City's Department of Social Services (DSS). It includes the Human Resources Administration (HRA), which handles benefits, and the Department of Homeless Services (DHS), which operates the shelters. You apply to HRA on the ACCESS HRA website or app.

The rules depend on immigration status: people with a pending asylum case can get some programs and not others.

Start here

  • If you are behind on rent, apply for a One Shot Deal (a one-time payment for back rent) on ACCESS HRA, then call 929-273-1872 right away for the interview. The line's menu has Russian, and staff bring in a free interpreter.
  • If you may lose your home, go to the Homebase office for your ZIP code: you can walk in without an appointment, best before noon.
  • Asylum applicants can get Cash Assistance (HRA's monthly benefit) if they meet the other rules. Public housing and Section 8 do not accept them.

Where to start, by situation

What can helpWhere to start
You are behind on rent or have an eviction noticeA One Shot Deal (Emergency Assistance) pays back rent once, if you show you can pay future rent. Homebase can help you plan.ACCESS HRA, an HRA Benefits Access Center, or a Homebase office
You have a home and are at risk of losing it, with a low incomeHomebase helps prevent eviction, sort out benefits, and get emergency and short-term help with rent. It is also how you apply for CityFHEPS if you are not in a shelter.The Homebase office for your ZIP code
You live in a DHS shelter and want your own apartmentCityFHEPS pays part of your monthly rent if you qualify.Your case manager or housing specialist in the shelter
You have no income and need money each monthCash Assistance, which for single adults is Safety Net Assistance.ACCESS HRA
You live with HIV or AIDSThe HIV/AIDS Services Administration (HASA) has its own housing and rent help.HASA ServiceLine
You heard about ERAPThe Emergency Rental Assistance Program has closed.No new applications are taken. Be careful of anyone who offers to apply for you for a fee.

  1. Apply on ACCESS HRA

    Cash Assistance is monthly money from HRA. Families can get up to 60 months under the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program (TANF); single people without children, and families who used their 60 months, get the State's Safety Net program. Apply online on ACCESS HRA.

  2. Call for the interview

    After you apply, call 929-273-1872, Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 5 pm, for the interview, and upload your documents in the ACCESS HRA app. The list of documents (form W-119D) is available in Russian. The line's menu has Russian, and staff bring in a free interpreter.

  3. Check that your immigration status qualifies

    Safety Net Assistance accepts qualified non-citizens (in federal law, for example green card holders, refugees and people granted asylum) and people the State classes as PRUCOL (immigrants allowed to stay without a green card). This includes people who applied for or were granted asylum, and people with Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Special Immigrant Juvenile status or parole of less than one year. A State notice of May 12, 2023 says asylum applicants can get it with or without a work permit if they meet the other rules.

  4. Wait for your benefits card

    Everyone approved for Cash Assistance or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, food benefits) gets an EBT card in the mail. If it has not come, an HRA center can give you a temporary card with all your benefits. When you apply for ongoing Cash Assistance, HRA also decides on Medicaid and SNAP.

  1. Collect your documents

    HRA asks for your income and savings, ID, immigration status, proof of address, Social Security number or proof you applied for one, school attendance for children under 16, and who lives with you. Add the landlord's demand letter or court papers and a month-by-month breakdown of what you owe.

  2. Apply

    Online on ACCESS HRA, in person at an HRA Benefits Access Center, or on paper by mail or fax. If a disability makes this hard, ask for a home visit or a phone application as a reasonable accommodation.

  3. Call for the interview right away

    The interview is by phone: 929-273-1872. Call right away, ideally first thing in the morning; be ready to wait or choose a call-back. If nobody calls back within 48 hours, call again. Upload documents in the ACCESS HRA app or scan them at a Benefits Access Center kiosk. The line's menu has Russian, and staff bring in a free interpreter.

  4. Know what HRA looks for

    That you can pay rent from now on and still cover basic needs; that you have no savings to pay the debt; that the apartment is affordable; and why you fell behind. If someone in the household is older or disabled and eviction would endanger their life, say so. People on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) do not need to show future ability to pay.

  5. Check your immigration status

    At least one person in the household must qualify for Cash Assistance by status. The Legal Aid Society says this includes asylum applicants, TPS applicants and people with parole. A parent without eligible status can apply for a child who lives with them and qualifies.

  6. Follow up after 30 days

    HRA should decide within 30 days. Check the status on ACCESS HRA. If you hear nothing, follow up at your Benefits Access Center.

  7. If approved

    The checks usually go to your landlord or to the Housing Court. If you have a lawyer, they can ask HRA to send the checks to the law office.

  8. If denied

    You can reapply right away or ask for a fair hearing. A fair hearing can take a long time, so while you wait it is often best to reapply with every document and fix any errors.

  9. Plan for repayment

    Most people must repay some or all of a One Shot Deal. People on SSI do not repay emergency grants, including certain back-rent grants. If you are asked to repay more than you can afford, ask for a repayment plan.

Homebase offices by borough (from HRA's Homebase locations page; under DSS rules Homebase providers must offer phone interpreters: say "Russian")

AddressPhoneZIP codes served
Bronx, Mott Haven: BronxWorks630 Jackson Avenue347-704-000110451, 10452, 10454, 10455
Bronx, Grand Concourse: BronxWorks1130 Grand Concourse718-508-310710456
Bronx, Unionport: Catholic Charities Community Services2155 Blackrock Avenue718-414-105010462, 10472, 10473, 10474
Bronx, Hunts Point: Catholic Charities Community Services890 Garrison Avenue929-259-943010462, 10472, 10473, 10474
Bronx, Bronxdale: Catholic Charities Community Services2901 White Plains Road347-913-469410461, 10464, 10465, 10466, 10469, 10475
Bronx, Woodlawn: Catholic Charities Community Services4377 Bronx Boulevard347-947-392010461, 10464, 10465, 10466, 10469, 10475
Bronx, Williamsbridge: HELP USA815 Burke Avenue, Bronx, NY 10467646-905-528910467, 10470, 10453, 10463, 10468, 10471
Bronx, Mount Hope: HELP USA1780 Grand Concourse347-226-454010457, 10458
Bronx, Parkchester: HELP USA1860 East Tremont Avenue718-299-847310459, 10460
Brooklyn, Bedford-Stuyvesant: CAMBA1958 Fulton Street718-408-5756 ext. 3710011201, 11205, 11213, 11215, 11216, 11217, 11225, 11231, 11233, 11238
Brooklyn, Crown Heights: CAMBA1117 Eastern Parkway718-622-732311201, 11205, 11213, 11215, 11216, 11217, 11225, 11231, 11233, 11238
Brooklyn, Flatbush: CAMBA2244 Church Avenue718-408-576611204, 11209, 11210, 11214, 11218, 11219, 11220, 11223, 11224, 11226, 11228, 11229, 11230, 11232, 11235
Brooklyn, East Flatbush: Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services1900A Ralph Avenue718-514-803411203, 11234, 11236
Brooklyn, East New York: Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services3060 Fulton Street929-234-303611207, 11208, 11239
Brooklyn, East New York: Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services560 Livonia Avenue718-408-718111207, 11208, 11239
Brooklyn, Bushwick: RiseBoro Community Partnership535 Bushwick Avenue718-366-430011206, 11211, 11221, 11222, 11237, 11249, 11251
Brooklyn, Bushwick North: RiseBoro Community Partnership380 Grove Street, 1st floor347-295-373811206, 11211, 11221, 11222, 11237, 11249, 11251
Brooklyn, Brownsville: RiseBoro Community Partnership145 East 98th Street917-819-320011212
Brooklyn, Brownsville: RiseBoro Community Partnership1875 Broadway, 1st floor917-819-320011212
Manhattan, Washington Heights: SUS - Urgent Housing Programs, Inc.516 West 181st Street, 4th floor917-492-1019All of Manhattan
Manhattan, East Harlem: SUS - Urgent Housing Programs, Inc.2322 3rd Avenue, 3rd floor917-492-1019All of Manhattan
Queens, Jamaica: Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services161-10 Jamaica Avenue, 5th floor718-674-1000All of Queens
Queens, Rockaways: Catholic Charities Neighborhood ServicesThe office at 1847 Mott Avenue is temporarily closed for renovation; contact it by phone718-647-1015All of Queens
Staten Island, St. George: CAMBA120 Stuyvesant Place, 4th floor, Suite 413718-282-6473All of Staten Island
Staten Island, Tompkinsville: CAMBA209 Bay Street718-226-0496All of Staten Island

  • Homebase

    Any statusFree

    Neighborhood offices in all five boroughs, operated by nonprofits with DSS. For people with low incomes at imminent risk of entering shelter who want to stay housed: eviction prevention, benefits, emergency rental assistance, financial counseling, help moving and short-term financial help. Find the office for your ZIP code at nyc.gov/site/hra/help/homebase-locations.page; you can walk in without an appointment (best before noon) or book by phone with that office. Bring whatever documents you have: Homebase can help without all of them. After you leave shelter, Homebase also offers aftercare.

    nyc.gov

  1. Ask whether you qualify

    In a shelter, ask your housing specialist or case manager; from your own home, go to Homebase. Besides the income rule, you need one condition. From a shelter or the street: an adult worked 10 hours a week for the last 30 days; a disability; age 60 or older; an adult cares at home for a disabled family member; service in the U.S. Armed Forces; your DHS shelter is about to close; or a referral by a program that DSS decided shortens shelter stays. From your own home: service in the U.S. Armed Forces and a risk of homelessness; Pathway Home benefits (a friend or relative is paid monthly for up to 12 months to host a household leaving shelter; for people who lived in shelter at least 90 days); a referral by a program that DSS decided avoids shelter entry; or an eviction case in court (or an eviction in the past year) plus one of these: someone lived in a DHS shelter; an open Adult Protective Services (APS) case (the HRA program for physically or mentally impaired adults who need help to live safely at home); a designated community guardianship program (ask HRA what it means for you); or a rent-controlled apartment you will stay in. A single adult working at least 35 hours a week at minimum wage may earn more than 200% of the federal poverty level.

  2. Get two letters from DSS

    The Shopping Letter shows the highest rent allowed for your household and type of home; you can show it to landlords and brokers. The Household Share Letter shows your likely subsidy, what you may pay and why you may qualify; it is for you only. The letters do not mean you are approved. The community FAQ says the Shopping Letter is valid for 120 days.

  3. Look for a home

    You can rent a whole apartment anywhere in New York State. A room or an SRO (single room occupancy) must be in the five boroughs: a room is for no more than two adults and costs at most $1,100 a month; an SRO is for one adult. In a DHS shelter, ask your case manager about help with application fees.

  4. Tell your caseworker about the place you found

    Your case manager or Homebase caseworker sends your documents to DSS. DSS checks the unit and that the rent is no higher than similar units nearby (the rent reasonableness test). DSS will not pay for utilities the landlord does not provide, and side deals with a landlord are not allowed.

  5. Read the approval letter

    It says what DSS pays your landlord and what you pay. This can differ from the Household Share Letter if your details changed. DSS sends the landlord a check for its part each month.

  6. Know what a landlord cannot ask

    A landlord cannot ask for more than your share or for a security deposit: DSS gives them a security voucher. A broker cannot charge you a fee: DSS pays it. A landlord cannot refuse you because of CityFHEPS; if they do, report it to the NYC Commission on Human Rights online at nyc.gov/reportdiscrimination.

  7. Renew on time and contact Homebase if rent gets hard

    CityFHEPS is renewed every year. The renewal form is mailed five months before the end of your subsidy year; you can send it to CityFHEPSRenewals@hra.nyc.gov. Usually up to four renewals are allowed, with more time for good cause. The five-year limit does not apply to households with someone 60 or older or an adult on federal disability benefits. If rent gets hard after shelter, contact Homebase right away.

Two ways into CityFHEPS (the City Fighting Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement)

From a shelter or the streetFrom your own home
WhoA family or single adult in a DHS shelter, a household in an HRA shelter, or a person on the street, in a drop-in center or in transitional housing served by a DHS provider.A household that has a home but may lose it.
Income and benefitsGross income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level (some exceptions); on Cash Assistance if eligible; not eligible for another rent program such as FHEPS (Family Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement).Gross income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level; on Cash Assistance if eligible, with no sanction (a benefit cut for breaking HRA rules) on the case.
Plus one of theseOne of these: work, disability, age 60 or older, caregiving, military service, a closing shelter or a referral.One of these: military service, Pathway Home benefits, a referral, or an eviction case plus one more condition.
Where to applyYour case manager or housing specialist.A Homebase office.
The same rule for bothYou may not move back to a place where your household lived in the past year. The immigration rules are those of Safety Net Assistance.CityFHEPS follows the immigration rules of Safety Net Assistance.

2026 payment standards, effective April 1, 2026: for CityFHEPS packages submitted from March 1, 2026 and leases starting from April 1, 2026 (earlier ones may use the 2025 standards). Maximum monthly rent with all utilities included, in the five boroughs

Household sizeMaximum monthly rent
SRO1$1,953
Studio1$2,604
1 bedroom1 or 2$2,734
2 bedrooms3 or 4$2,997
3 bedrooms5 or 6$3,753
4 bedrooms7 or 8$4,077
5 bedrooms9 or 10$4,689
6 bedrooms11 or 12$5,301
7 bedrooms13 or 14$5,913
8 bedrooms15 or 16$6,524

From the Community Service Society chart of May 2026 (other rules also apply)

Immigration status that qualifiesWhere to apply
Cash Assistance (Safety Net Assistance)Qualified non-citizens and people with PRUCOL, including asylum applicants, with or without a work permit, if they meet the other rules.ACCESS HRA
One Shot Deal (Emergency Assistance)A household member who meets the Cash Assistance (TANF or Safety Net Assistance) or SSI immigration rules.ACCESS HRA or a Benefits Access Center
CityFHEPSThe same immigration rules as Safety Net Assistance.Homebase, or your shelter case manager
HASAQualified non-citizens, people who are PRUCOL for Cash Assistance and people who are PRUCOL for State-funded Medicaid.HASA ServiceLine
Public housing and Section 8Only the federal list: permanent residents, refugees, asylees, people granted withholding of deportation, parolees, T visa holders, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitioners and a few other groups. Asylum applicants are not on it.The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA, the City's public housing authority) or HPD
Right to Counsel and the Tenant HelplineAny immigration status.Email civiljustice@hra.nyc.gov, or the Tenant Helpline online form: nyc.gov/site/mayorspeu/programs/contact-the-tenant-support-unit.page

  • HPD Section 8 and rental subsidy programs

    Green cardGranted asylumFree

    HPD gives Section 8 vouchers to families in buildings built or renovated under certain HPD programs, and to homeless people referred by DHS and HRA providers. Applications go only through designated intermediaries; the public cannot apply directly. At least one family member must have citizenship or eligible status. Families typically pay about 30 percent of monthly income in rent.

    nyc.gov

  • ACCESS HRA

    Any statusFree

    HRA's website and app: apply for Cash Assistance and a One Shot Deal, upload documents and check your status.

    a069-access.nyc.gov

  • Cash Assistance On-Demand interview line

    Any statusFree

    The interview for Cash Assistance or a One Shot Deal is done at this number. The line's menu has Russian, and staff bring in a free interpreter.

    929-273-1872nyc.govMon–Fri 8:30 am–5 pm

  • DSS OneNumber (Rental Assistance Call Center)

    Any statusFree

    HRA's line for CityFHEPS and other DSS rent help: its menu has Russian, and staff bring in a free interpreter. Renewals and requests to change your subsidy go to CityFHEPSRenewals@hra.nyc.gov.

    718-557-1399nyc.govRental Assistance Program Unit, 109 East 16th Street, 1st Floor, Room 102, New York, NY 10003 (mail for changes to your subsidy)Mon–Fri 8 am–5 pm

  • The Legal Aid Society: One-Shot Deals for back rent

    Any statusFree

    A guide to the documents, the interview, the decision, a fair hearing and repayment.

    legalaidnyc.org

  • Housing Court Answers: One Shot Deals

    Any status

    What you need to apply, how to keep your papers in order, what a third party is and what to do if you had a One Shot Deal before.

    housingcourtanswers.org

  • NYC Commission on Human Rights (CCHR)

    Any statusFree

    If a landlord or broker refuses CityFHEPS or asks for a side payment, report it online at nyc.gov/reportdiscrimination to this City commission, which enforces the anti-discrimination law.

    nyc.gov

Cash Assistance
Monthly money from HRA. Single adults without children get it under the State's Safety Net program.
PRUCOL
Permanently Residing in the United States Under Color of Law: New York State's term for immigrants allowed to stay without a green card, such as many asylum applicants.
One Shot Deal
The common name for HRA's Emergency Assistance: a one-time payment for a housing emergency such as back rent or a utility shutoff.
Homebase
Neighborhood offices operated by nonprofits that work with DSS. They help people at risk of losing their homes and handle CityFHEPS applications for people not in shelter.
CityFHEPS
The City Fighting Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement, a monthly rent subsidy from DSS.
Shopping Letter and Household Share Letter
The two letters DSS gives a household that may qualify for CityFHEPS: one shows the maximum rent, the other your likely share.
Rent reasonableness test
A check that the rent is no higher than similar homes nearby. DSS does it once all documents are in.
Federal poverty level
A yearly income line set by the federal government. CityFHEPS requires income at or below 200 percent of it.
SRO
Single room occupancy, a furnished room in a building with shared bathroom or kitchen.
Section 8
The federal Housing Choice Voucher program, which pays part of the rent for eligible low-income families. In New York City, NYCHA, HPD and the State administer it.
311
The City's service for information, complaints and referrals: online at portal.311.nyc.gov, in the 311 app, or by dialing 311 in New York City. Say "Russian" and a free interpreter joins.
Benefits Access Center
An HRA office where you can apply for benefits, scan documents and get help.
Qualified non-citizen
A term in federal benefits law. It includes, for example, green card holders, refugees, people granted asylum and people whose deportation was withheld.
Parole
Permission from the federal government to enter or stay in the United States for a limited time, for urgent humanitarian reasons or a significant public benefit.

This is general information, not legal advice: QARAVAN has no lawyers. QARAVAN does not help anyone enter the US and cannot arrange visas, invitations, sponsorship or evacuation. For your own case, talk to a licensed immigration attorney or a representative accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice.

All pages: Housing

Sources, checked November 2026