NYC Reopens Section 8 Applications After 15 Years: Deputy Mayor Torres-Springer Calls It a “Lifeline” for Hundreds of Thousands

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) has announced that it will begin accepting applications for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program for the first time in nearly 15 years.

Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer stated that reopening the Section 8 waitlist marks a monumental milestone in NYC’s continuous efforts to tackle the housing crisis.

In an interview with LittleAfrica News, she said, “What this means for hundreds of thousands of individuals is a lifeline so that they have a more secure path to a safe, affordable, and decent home.” 

Earlier this year, Mayor Eric Adams committed to an ambitious goal in his State of the City Address—creating 500,000 new homes by 2032.

On Monday, May 20th, Adams said, “Addressing our city’s housing crisis means using every tool our city has, and that’s exactly what we are doing.” 

He added, “From advancing 24 housing projects on public land this year through our ’24 in 24′ plan to fighting for our ‘City of Yes for Housing Opportunity’ proposal to build a little more housing in every neighborhood, we are committed to helping every New Yorker find and stay in their home.” 

Torres-Springer, whose own family benefited from the Section 8 voucher program, explained that the program requires recipients to contribute 30% of their monthly income towards rent, with the remaining cost covered by a federal subsidy.

She said, “We are really thrilled that after 15 years of that list being closed, we are finally reopening it and really opening the doors for more opportunity for New Yorkers.”

Torres-Springer added, “New York families, individuals too many of whom, of course, are facing strain and have to worry too much about how they are going to make rent. So they take the voucher and search for apartments in the private market in a neighborhood of their choice.”

NYCHA, the country’s largest Section 8 program administrator, currently provides rental subsidies to over 241,000 residents. The waitlist, which was closed on December 10, 2009, has been reopened after a 15-year hiatus. 

The deputy mayor stated that city officials will launch an extensive public awareness campaign in collaboration with ethnic and traditional media outlets to inform the public, especially those in homeless shelters, about the opportunity to apply for housing assistance.

The application window will be open from June 3 to June 9. Applicants can visit https://faq.section8.nycha.info/Section-8-Waitlist-FAQ.html to check eligibility criteria and apply. 

Following the application process, NYCHA will establish a waitlist of up to 200,000 individuals. 

The waitlist will be selected through a random lottery, ensuring equal opportunity for all applicants.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer also supported the initiative, stating, “I applaud Mayor Adams for opening up access to the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, a cornerstone of affordable housing. I am proud to have led the charge to protect the program so that more New Yorkers have access to safe and affordable housing opportunities.”

Over the past two years, Mayor Adams has made several investments in public housing, including converting more than 5,200 units to Section 8 through the permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) program and securing $1.8 billion for capital repairs. The Adams administration has also been proactive in cutting red tape and accelerating housing delivery through initiatives like the “Green Fast Track for Housing” and the “Office Conversion Accelerator.”

Reopening the Section 8 waitlist is a pivotal step in Mayor Adams’ ongoing efforts to enhance housing affordability and support New York’s working-class families.