* Income: Your household income must be at or below 50% of the area median income (AMI). The AMI for New York City is $104,900 for a family of four.
* Family size: Your household size must be at least one person. There is no maximum family size for Section 8 housing.
* Citizenship or immigration status: You must be a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident, or a non-citizen who has been lawfully admitted to the U.S. for at least five years.
* Displaced or disabled: You must be displaced from your current housing, or you must have a disability that prevents you from working or attending school.
* Background check: You must pass a criminal background check.
In addition to these general requirements, there may be additional eligibility requirements for specific Section 8 housing programs. For example, some programs may give priority to families with children, seniors, or people with disabilities.
If you think you may be eligible for Section 8 housing, you can apply online or at your local public housing authority (PHA). The PHA will review your application and determine if you are eligible for assistance.
If you are approved for Section 8 housing, you will be issued a housing voucher. This voucher can be used to rent a private apartment or house from a landlord who is willing to accept Section 8 payments.
Section 8 housing is a valuable resource for low-income families and individuals in New York. If you are eligible for assistance, I encourage you to apply.