WHAT IS SID?

According to New York City’s Human Rights Law, it is illegal for landlords and real estate brokers to refuse to rent to current or prospective tenants who plan on using rental assistance vouchers. All landlords mustaccept all lawful sources of income - that includes all federal, state and local housing voucher programs listed below.

Lawful Sources of Income

Section 8

Section 8, also known as Housing Choice Vouchers, are federally funded through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and distributed by New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). Recipients of  Section 8 pay approximately 30% of their income after adjustments on rent, and the voucher covers the rest, to an extent. As of December 10, 2009, NYCHA closed the waitlist for Section 8 due to excessive wait times. If you were on the waitlist for a Section 8 voucher before that date, you will remain there as long as you maintain your spot. 

SSI/SSDI

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) are federal programs that provide cash payments to individuals who meet the requirements.  SSI recipients may or may not have worked in the past, and meet the guidelines set by the Social Security Administration regarding their disability. SSDI is available for workers who become disabled , and enables those who qualify to obtain social security benefits early.  

CityFHEPS

CityFHEPS (Fighting Homelessness and Eviction Prevention) is a city funded rental assistance program that will help families and individuals find and keep housing. CityFHEPS has replaced the LINC, SEPS, and CITYFEPS rental assistance programs.  There is now one program to make it easier for people to get help, easier for landlords to get payments, and easier for DSS to manage cases. The voucher is distributed by the Human Resource Administration (HRA).

HASA

HIV/AIDS Services Administration (HASA) vouchers is a federally funded program that is administered by the Human Resource Administration (HRA). The voucher assists individuals and families with HIV/AIDS and open cash assistance cases. HASA recipients must pay 30% of their adjusted income on rent, and the voucher covers the rest, to an extent. The program provides additional case management, as well as emergency transitional housing for the housing search process.

FHEPS

Family Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement (FHEPS) is a state funded program for families with children who have been evicted or are facing eviction, who have lost their housing due to a domestic violence situation, or who have lost their housing because of health or safety issues. Families must have an open cash assistance case in order to qualify for FHEPS, and the voucher is distributed by the Human Resource Administration (HRA). 

HUD-VASH

HUD-VASH is a federally funded collaboration between the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA).  HUD-VASH vouchers are for homeless veterans, with a specific emphasis on chronically homeless veterans. As of  2008, beneficiaries are no longer required to have chronic mental illness or chronic substance abuse disorders in order to qualify for the voucher.  

Others

If you have income that is not listed here or have questions about other possible sources, contact us. We will help you understand your rights and take action.