Step-by-Step Process for Achieving Housing

(Concise Veteran Guide)

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STEP 1 — Gather Essential Identification

These documents open every housing program.

1. DD-214 (or request through milConnect / National Archives)

2. Photo ID (NYS ID or Driver License)

3. Social Security Card & Birth Certificate

Tip: Start this step immediately—every delay in documentation delays housing.

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STEP 2 — Collect Income & Benefit Proof

Required for vouchers, NYCHA, supportive housing, and landlords.

1. VA Award Letter / Benefits Verification

2. Proof of Income – SSI/SSD, SSA statements, employment pay stubs

3. Shelter Residency Letter from DHS or shelter director

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STEP 3 — Begin Housing Applications

Once identification and income documents are ready:

1. Supportive Housing (2010e) Application

2. HUD-VASH Referral (if VA-eligible)

3. CityFHEPS Application (main NYC voucher)

4. SOTA Program (1-year rent paid if relocating)

5. NYCHA / Section 8 Portal (if list is open)

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STEP 4 — Prepare for Housing Search

Create a complete housing-ready packet:

1. Copy of all documents (ID, DD-214, income, residency)

2. Housing Resume (recommended for brokers & landlords)

3. Contact a Housing Specialist or SSVF Case Manager

4. Identify Veteran-Friendly Real Estate Agents

5. Search for units through brokers, NYC Housing Connect, HUD listings, and supportive housing networks.

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STEP 5 — Secure the Unit & Submit Landlord Documents

1. Landlord provides:

o Leasing paperwork

o Unit information

o Required building documents

o W-9 (voucher programs require this)

2. Submit to:

o VA (for HUD-VASH)

o NYCHRA (for CityFHEPS / SOTA)

o NYCHA (for Section 8)

o Supportive Housing Provider (for 2010e placements)

3. Schedule the Inspection:

o Housing Quality Standards inspection (HQS)

o Repairs must be completed before approval

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STEP 6 — Final Approvals & Lease Signing

1. Voucher or program approves the unit

2. Lease signing with landlord

3. Move-in funds released (voucher pays first month or subsidy)

4. Veteran signs:

o Lease agreement

o Program participation documents

o Case management consent (if applicable)

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STEP 7 — Move In & Maintain Housing

1. Complete move-in

2. Maintain communication with:

o VA case manager (HUD-VASH)

o SSVF/housing specialist

o NYCHA or NYCHRA (annual recertification)

3. Report income or household changes immediately

4. Renew documents before they expire

5. Request repairs through landlord & HPD if needed

Housing support for veterans includes federal, state, and local programs designed to prevent and end homelessness. HUD-VASH provides rental vouchers and VA case management for eligible homeless veterans, while New York State’s Veterans Emergency Housing Assistance Fund offers up to $2,000 for urgent housing needs. NYC veterans can access:

• NYCHA
• Section 8
• HUD-subsidized apartments
• Housing Connect lotteries, and
• Homebase prevention services. 

Additional rental supports:

• CityFHEPS
• HASA, and
• SOTA—help low-income or shelter residents secure housing.

Veterans with disabilities or chronic homelessness may obtain long-term supportive housing, often requiring a 2010e mental health assessment for eligibility.

Division of Code Enforcement

• Obtain information on the requirements of the Housing Maintenance Code and Multiple Dwelling Law.

• Obtain information about housing code violations existing at your property and guidance on how to address them.

• Request inspections for the dismissal of corrected violations. 

• Obtain complaint information.

• Use designated computers to access information about your property or HPD services. 

• Obtain Departmental forms, including Property Registration.

• Learn more about our services.

Bronx

1932 Arthur Avenue, 3rd Floor

Bronx, NY 10457

212-863-7050

Brooklyn

701 Euclid Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11208

212-863-6620

Brooklyn

345 Adams Street

Brooklyn, NY 11201

212-863-8060

Manhattan

94 Old Broadway, 7th Floor

New York, NY 10027

212-863-5030

Queens

120-55 Queens Boulevard

Kew Gardens, NY 11424

212-863-5990

Staten Island

10 Richmond Terrace

Staten Island, NY 10301

212-863-8100

Housing Preservation and Development (NYC)

Our mission is to promote quality and affordability in the city's housing, and diversity and strength in the city’s neighborhoods. We do this by maintaining building and resident safety and health, creating opportunities for New Yorkers through housing affordability, and engaging New Yorkers to build and sustain neighborhood strength and diversity. If you’re a public housing resident and have an inquiry or complaint in your neighborhood, you may contact your local Borough Management Office.

• Bronx: 718-409-8626

• Brooklyn: 718-491-6967

• Manhattan: 917-206-3500

• Queens/Staten Island: 718-553-4700

Division of Code Enforcement offices are currently open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10:00am-2:00pm. 

Division of Neighborhood Preservation offices are open Monday to Friday from 9:00am-4:00pm.

Please visit or call the Service Center in your borough for more information.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) is a program from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the US Department of Veterans Affairs VA to help veterans facing homelessness and their families find and sustain permanent housing under the Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher (HCV).

The HUD/VASH program works as a rental subsidy that allows veterans to pay a reasonable amount of their income toward their rent. Think of Section 8 for veterans. Eligible veterans will receive a voucher to begin searching for housing. Generally, veterans will pay no more than 40 percent of their adjusted monthly income toward their rent share. The VA pays the remaining amount to the owner on the veteran's behalf. This payment to the owner is known as the Housing Assistance Payment.

HUD/VASH participants must comply with all program requirements, including completing their annual certification, accommodating Housing Quality Standards inspections, allowing property owners to make any needed repairs, and adhering to the terms of their lease. HUD provides rental assistance vouchers for privately owned housing to veterans who are eligible for VA health care and are experiencing homelessness. VA case managers connect these veterans with additional support services.

Eligibility:

• Veterans must be VA health care eligible (determined by the VA).

• Veterans must also meet the definition of homelessness defined in The McKinney Homeless Assistance Act

• HUD-VASH prioritizes the chronically homeless

• At least one member of the veteran family must meet the documentation requirements of citizenship or eligible immigration status

• Veterans must provide social security numbers for all family members who claim citizenship or eligible immigration status

• No member of the veteran household may have been convicted for production of methamphetamines in federally-assisted housing

• No member of the veteran household may be subject to a lifetime registration requirement under a state sex offender registration program

• The veteran must be within the appropriate income limits for their family size.

How to Apply:

• Call 877-424-3838 to be connected with your local VA homeless program and apply. Visit the HUD-VASH website for more information.

• The public will be notified when applications are being accepted again. If you previously submitted a Section 8 application when the waiting list was open, log on to the Self-Service Portal to confirm the receipt of your NYCHA application. Learn more about Section 8.

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), the largest public housing authority in North America was created in 1935 to provide decent, affordable housing for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers. To start the housing search process, it is not mandatory to have all the necessary documentation, but the quicker the veteran gets required documentation, the better.

Section 8 Tenants

The Housing Choice Voucher program, also known as Section 8, is a federally funded program that provides assistance to eligible low- and moderate-income families to rent housing in the private market. Eligibility for this program is based on a family's gross annual income and family size.

To remain eligible for continued assistance, participants must:

• Comply with Section 8 program rules and regulations,

• Comply with the terms of the lease with the property owner,

• Allow Housing Quality Standards inspections and provide the Section 8 property owner to make any needed repairs, and

• Complete the annual recertification, and report family changes, on a timely basis.

A summary of program requirements can be found in the Housing Choice Voucher Program Guide for Voucher Holders.

Customer Contact Center (CCC). The CCC is NYCHA's single point of contact for public housing residents, Section 8 voucher holders, and Section 8 landlords.

Customer Contact Center (CCC): 718-707-7771

Customer Contact Center Walk-In Locations:

Bronx/Manhattan/Queens 

478 East Fordham Road (1 Fordham Plaza), 2nd Floor

Bronx, NY 10458

Monday-Friday, 8am - 5pm

Brooklyn/Staten Island/Queens 

787 Atlantic Avenue, 2nd Floor

Brooklyn, NY 11238

Monday-Friday, 8am - 5pm

HUD Subsidized Apartments

HUD helps apartment owners offer reduced rents to low-income tenants. To apply, contact or visit the management office of each apartment building that interests you. There are also several subsidized rental programs administered by New York State and New York City listed below.

Click each link for additional information.

• Search for a HUD subsidized apartment

• Check the HUD Resource Locator

• Research listings in the New York State Affordable Housing Directory

• Register for online affordable housing lotteries in New York City

• Browse complete New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development lottery listings

• Browse complete New York City Housing Development Corporation rentals

• Browse complete New York State Housing Finance Agency lotteries and rentals

Please note that although many New York City subsidized housing lotteries are available via the www.nyc.gov/housingconnect website, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, the New York City Housing Development Corporation, and the New York State Housing Finance Agency all have developments that require separate applications.

451 7th Street, S.W., 

Washington, DC 20410

Phone: 202-708-1112

330 W 30th St,

New York, NY 10001

Phone: (212) 987-6445

New York City Homebase (NYCHRA)

Homebase provides New Yorkers experiencing housing instability in the community with various homeless prevention services and aftercare services to families and individuals exiting NYC DHS shelter to permanent housing. Homebase locations are servicing clients either via phone or for in-person services. Anyone seeking Homebase services should call the office in advance to schedule an appointment.

Please use the Homebase locator to find the Homebase location that serves the ZIP code you currently reside in, along with the facility’s phone number.

You may be eligible for Homebase services if you:

• Are at imminent risk of entering the NYC shelter system

• Are low-income

• Want to remain stably housed in your community

Homebase

516 W 181st Street, 4th Floor

New York, NY 10033