New York Section 8 Calculator — Bronx County, Kings County, New York County, Queens County and Richmond County Income Limits & Rent Estimate
Renters in New York, NY often search for the Housing Choice Voucher program — commonly called Section 8. Vouchers help very low-income households afford rent in private housing. In this city or town, HUD rules are usually applied through a Public Housing Authority (PHA) serving Bronx County, Kings County, New York County, Queens County and Richmond County.
Expanded local guide
Section 8 in New York City — NYCHA, Waiting Lists & Local Programs
Local Section 8 overview for NYC renters: NYCHA's voucher program, current waiting list status, CityFHEPS, payment standards, and how to estimate voucher help.
Updated May 26, 2026
NYCHA Section 8 in New York City
NYCHA operates the largest local Housing Choice Voucher program in the nation:
- Over 85,000 units under contract with more than 25,000 participating property owners across all five boroughs. (NYCHA Self-Service FAQs)
- A Furman Center analysis estimates roughly 123,000 households citywide use Housing Choice Vouchers across all administering agencies, with about 99,000 using tenant-based vouchers.
- NYCHA also administers Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV) — roughly 5,200 EHV participants as of March 2026. (NYCHA Updates)
Income Limits & Payment Standards
HUD income limits for Section 8 in NYC are set at the metropolitan area level and change annually:
- Your household income must generally fall below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for the NYC metro, with at least 75% of new vouchers targeted to households below 30% AMI.
- NYCHA uses payment standards based on HUD’s Fair Market Rents and, increasingly, Small Area Fair Market Rents (SAFMRs) by ZIP code, so the maximum rent a voucher covers varies across neighborhoods.
- Most Section 8 households pay about 30% of adjusted monthly income toward rent and utilities.
Check your estimated eligibility and voucher amounts →
Waiting List Status
NYCHA’s Section 8 waiting list is among the most competitive in the country:
- NYCHA reopened its HCV waitlist in June 2024 for the first time in nearly 15 years, accepting online applications for one week. (ABC7 NY)
- 200,000 households were selected via lottery for the new waitlist. (NYCHA Press Release)
- Due to funding limits and extreme demand, NYCHA is not currently issuing new tenant-based vouchers to everyone on the waitlist; average waits can span years.
Tips: Also check CityFHEPS eligibility, explore NYCHA public housing waitlists (separate from Section 8), and look for affordable lottery units on Housing Connect.
Additional Affordable Housing Resources in NYC
Beyond standard Section 8 vouchers, New York City offers:
- CityFHEPS — City-funded rent supplements for up to 5 years, usable anywhere in New York State. Apply through DSS/HRA.
- Housing New York — HPD’s plan to create or preserve 300,000 affordable homes, including affordable lottery units on Housing Connect.
- Expedited housing approvals — New fast-track procedures to accelerate affordable housing production.
- NYCHA public housing — Separate waitlists from Section 8, managed directly by NYCHA.
- Supportive housing and project-based vouchers — For people with serious mental illness, chronic homelessness, or other deep needs.
- FHEPS and other state programs — NYC 311 can help navigate available options.
Read our full deep-dive: Section 8 Neighborhoods in New York City →
HUD income limits & Fair Market Rents — New York
Official HUD figures for Bronx County (area: New York, NY HUD Metro FMR Area). Local PHA payment standards are often 90–110% of FMR.
This place spans multiple counties (Bronx County, Kings County, New York County, Queens County, Richmond County). Tables show the primary county — confirm with your ZIP in the calculator.
Annual income limits (FY 2026)
Very low income (~50% AMI) and low income (~80% AMI) by household size. Section 8 typically prioritizes very low-income households.
| Household size | Very low (50%) | Low (80%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $59,400 | $95,000 |
| 2 | $67,850 | $108,600 |
| 3 | $76,350 | $122,150 |
| 4 | $84,800 | $135,700 |
| 5 | $91,600 | $146,600 |
| 6 | $98,400 | $157,450 |
| 7 | $105,200 | $168,300 |
| 8 | $111,950 | $179,150 |
Monthly Fair Market Rents (FY 2027)
Benchmark gross rent (rent + utilities) by unit size. Use the ZIP calculator for Small Area FMRs or an estimated voucher amount.
| Bedrooms | FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $2,593 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,729 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,971 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,760 |
| 4 bedrooms | $4,121 |
Source: HUD USER API (income limits & FMR). Educational estimate only; not affiliated with HUD or any PHA. Reference fiscal year: 2026.
New York Section 8 Rent Calculator & Voucher Estimate
Because New York may sit in a multi-county HUD area, use our Section 8 rent calculator to check your county, HUD income limits, and estimated tenant rent share before you contact a housing authority.
Calculate New York rent share & voucherHousing Choice Voucher program
A Section 8 voucher in the New York area does not pay your full rent. You pay a tenant share (often about 30% of adjusted income), and the voucher covers part of the rent up to the local payment standard, which is based on HUD Fair Market Rents for Bronx County, Kings County, New York County, Queens County and Richmond County.
Most PHAs near New York run waiting lists that open only periodically. Eligibility depends on income, household size, and local preferences — not on applying first online alone.
- Project-based Section 8 — Project-based Section 8 — subsidy stays with specific buildings (different application path).
- Tenant-based vouchers (HCV) — Tenant-based vouchers (HCV) — you find a unit; the voucher moves with you in many cases after initial lease-up.
- Local preferences — Local preferences — veterans, elderly, disabled, or working families may get priority on some lists.
Section 8 guides for New York renters
These guides explain vouchers, income limits, and rent math for households in New York and across New York. Each links to our calculator so you can run numbers for your ZIP.
How Section 8 HAP Is Calculated (Tenant Share vs Owner)
HAP is min(payment standard, gross rent) minus TTP. See family rent to owner, utility reimbursement, the 90–110% FMR band, and what this calculator can and cannot decide.
RentHow Much Section 8 Pays by Bedroom Size
There is no national dollar amount for a 1-, 2-, or 3-bedroom voucher. Family unit size, the PHA payment standard, and your TTP decide HAP — plus the 40% first-lease rule.
PHAFind Your Public Housing Authority (PHA) for Section 8
Learn what a PHA is, how to find the housing authority for your city or county, and where to apply for a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list.
ApplicationHow to Apply for Section 8 — Waiting Lists & PHA Steps
Step-by-step overview of Section 8 waiting lists, PHA applications, and what to do while you wait for a voucher.
Voucher programHousing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) Explained
What the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program is, how PHAs run it, and how vouchers differ from public housing.
RentSection 8 Rent Calculator — How Much Will I Pay With a Voucher?
Estimate your Section 8 tenant share (TTP), payment standard, and maximum voucher subsidy. Includes rent above payment standard examples.
Income limitsSection 8 Income Limits Explained by Household Size
HUD very low and low income limits determine Section 8 eligibility. See how limits vary by ZIP, county, metro area, and family size.
BasicsHow Section 8 Housing Works — Vouchers, PHAs & What You Pay (2026)
How Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers work in 2026 — who qualifies, how PHAs issue vouchers, how payment standards are calculated, and exactly what renters pay vs what the subsidy covers.
Apply near New York
- Confirm income limits with the calculator.
- Find your PHA in our PHA Directory or the HUD contacts tool (Bronx County, Kings County, New York County, Queens County and Richmond County).
- Join the waiting list when the PHA opens applications — many lists close for years at a time.
- When selected, find a rental at or below the payment standard and complete inspection.
Ready to apply? Download the PDF application checklist before your appointment.
FAQ — Section 8 in New York
Can I use Section 8 in New York, NY?
Many renters in New York can apply if they meet HUD income limits and the local PHA has an open waiting list. Vouchers are portable in some cases, but you must apply through the housing authority that serves your area — often tied to Bronx County, Kings County, New York County, Queens County, Richmond County.
How much rent will I pay with a voucher near New York?
Your minimum share is the Total Tenant Payment (TTP) — typically the greater of 30% of adjusted monthly income, 10% of gross income, or a small PHA minimum. Use our calculator with your ZIP to see an estimate for Bronx County, Kings County, New York County, Queens County, Richmond County.
Where do I apply for Section 8 in New York?
Applications are handled by your local Public Housing Authority, not this website. Search HUD's PHA contact directory for authorities serving Bronx County, Kings County, New York County, Queens County, Richmond County, then follow their waiting list instructions.
Does New York have its own income limits?
HUD publishes income limits and Fair Market Rents by county or metro area. New York uses the limits for Bronx County, Kings County, New York County, Queens County, Richmond County. Enter your ZIP in our calculator to pull the current HUD figures for your household size.
Do medical bills lower Section 8 rent in New York?
If your household is elderly (62+) or disabled, HUD may deduct unreimbursed medical costs above 10% of annual income, plus a family allowance. That reduces the adjusted income used for your tenant share (TTP). Run a New York ZIP in the calculator; the PHA serving Bronx County, Kings County, New York County, Queens County, Richmond County decides which receipts count.