If you’re in a New York City shelter — or on the verge of losing your home — there’s a rental assistance program that most people have never heard of. The New York State Housing Access Voucher Program (HAVP) was created to do what Section 8 waitlists have failed to do for decades: get homeless and at-risk households into stable, permanent housing quickly. With $50 million in new state funding secured in the FY2026 budget, HAVP is one of the most important housing tools available to low-income New Yorkers right now.
Here’s everything you need to know — including who qualifies, how to apply, and what to do if you’re currently in shelter or facing eviction.
What Is HAVP?
The Housing Access Voucher Program is a four-year pilot program created by New York State. It provides rental subsidies to households experiencing homelessness or facing imminent loss of housing. Unlike Section 8, which has notoriously long waitlists (sometimes decades in NYC), HAVP was designed to move faster and reach people who fall through the cracks of existing programs.
In New York City, HAVP is administered by the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), in partnership with the NYC Department of Social Services (DSS). HPD identifies eligible households primarily through referrals from shelter partners.
Families receiving an HAVP voucher pay approximately 30% of their adjusted income toward rent. The voucher covers the rest, up to a payment standard tied to local fair market rents.
Who Qualifies for HAVP?
To be eligible for HAVP, your household must meet three core criteria, according to the NYC HPD HAVP page and NYS Homes and Community Renewal:
- Income: Your household must earn less than 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI). In 2026, that’s approximately $72,900 for a family of three in NYC, with figures varying by household size (source: HUD AMI tables for the NYC metro area, as published on hcr.ny.gov).
- Housing status: You must be currently experiencing homelessness (including shelter stays) or at imminent risk of losing your housing.
- Immigration status: Unlike many federal programs, HAVP is open to applicants regardless of immigration status. This is a critical distinction for undocumented New Yorkers and mixed-status families.
Priority is given to families with children, survivors of domestic violence, and individuals who have been in shelter the longest.
Why HAVP Matters More in 2026
Governor Hochul’s FY2026 Enacted Budget included $50 million for the first year of a scaled-up HAVP, according to the Governor’s office. This funding comes on top of the existing pilot allocation and represents the state’s recognition that rental subsidies — not just shelter beds — are the only real solution to homelessness.
In NYC alone, thousands of families are currently in shelter. HAVP provides a direct exit path: a voucher you can use to lease an apartment in the private market, with rent support that scales to your income.
How to Apply for HAVP in NYC
The application process works differently depending on where you are:
If You’re Currently in a NYC Shelter
This is the most direct route. Speak with the housing specialist at your shelter and ask specifically about HAVP. DSS shelter partners are the primary referral channel to HPD, which administers the program in NYC. Your housing specialist can initiate the referral and help you gather the required documentation.
If You’re At Risk of Homelessness (Not Yet in Shelter)
Contact NYC HPD directly by visiting nyc.gov/site/hpd or calling 311 and asking about HAVP. HPD also accepts referrals from community-based organizations and legal services providers. If you are facing eviction, connecting with a free legal service (such as the NYC Right to Counsel program) may accelerate your access to the program.
The HAVP Portal
For providers and agency partners, applications are managed through the state portal at havpp.hcr.ny.gov. Individual tenants do not apply directly through this portal — it is for administering agencies.
What HAVP Covers — and What It Doesn’t
Once you receive an HAVP voucher, you can use it to rent an apartment from a participating private landlord. The voucher is tenant-based, meaning it stays with you if you move (unlike project-based housing assistance).
Important limits to know:
- The voucher covers rent up to the payment standard, which is tied to local fair market rents. In NYC, those standards are set by HUD and adjusted annually.
- You are responsible for finding a landlord who will accept the voucher. NYC’s source of income discrimination law prohibits landlords from refusing HAVP holders based on the voucher alone — but enforcement requires tenants to know their rights and file complaints when refused.
- HAVP is a four-year pilot. The state has committed to renewals pending funding, but long-term continuity is not yet guaranteed.
HAVP vs. Other NYC Rental Assistance Programs
HAVP is not the only rental subsidy available, but it fills a specific gap. Here’s a quick comparison:
- CityFHEPS: NYC’s own rental voucher, primarily for people exiting shelter. Administered by HRA. See our full CityFHEPS guide.
- Section 8 (HCV): Federal rental assistance through NYCHA. Waitlist is currently closed and has been for years.
- HAVP: State-funded, immigration-status-neutral, and specifically targeted at shelter residents and those facing imminent homelessness. Currently accepting referrals through HPD.
If you’re in shelter, pursue both CityFHEPS and HAVP simultaneously. They are separate programs and you may be eligible for one or both.
Action Steps
- If you’re in shelter: Ask your housing specialist today about HAVP referrals. Specifically use the words “Housing Access Voucher Program” — some shelter staff may not be familiar with the name.
- If you’re at imminent risk of eviction: Call 311 and ask for the Tenant Helpline. Request a referral to HPD’s housing assistance programs, including HAVP.
- Check your income eligibility: Confirm you’re below 50% AMI. The full AMI table for NYC is available at hcr.ny.gov.
- Connect with free legal help: NYC’s Right to Counsel program provides free attorneys to tenants facing eviction. Call 718-557-1379 or visit nyc.gov/site/hra.
- Know your source of income rights: If a landlord refuses your voucher, file a complaint with the NYC Commission on Human Rights at 212-416-0197 or nyc.gov/cchr.
Rental assistance in NYC is never simple to navigate. But HAVP represents real money — and with new state investment for 2026, the program has more capacity than it’s had since its launch. If you or someone you know is in shelter or at serious risk of losing housing, this is the program to ask about first.
For related resources, see our guides on CityFHEPS and SNAP enrollment in NYC.
