What Is a HASA Voucher? NYC HIV/AIDS Housing Program Guide
Quick answerHASA (HIV/AIDS Services Administration) is a program run by the NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA) for New York City residents diagnosed with HIV or AIDS. It is not a voucher document you hand to landlords: you find an apartment, your HASA caseworker inspects it, and HASA pays the landlord directly twice a month. If you have income other than Cash Assistance, you pay 30% of your gross household income toward rent. The current maximum rent is $2,646 for a studio and $2,762 for a one-bedroom. Apply through ServiceLine at 718-557-1399.
- 30%share of gross household income you pay toward rent
- $2,646maximum monthly rent for a studio
- $2,762maximum monthly rent for a one-bedroom
- 200%of the Federal Poverty Level is the income limit for financial benefits
- 718-557-1399ServiceLine, where you apply
What Is HASA?
HASA stands for HIV/AIDS Services Administration. It is the part of HRA that gives New Yorkers living with HIV or AIDS a caseworker and, for those who qualify financially, help paying rent.
Key pointPeople call it a "HASA voucher," but HRA says plainly that its rental assistance "is not CityFHEPS or voucher programs" (HASA FAQ, page 11). There is no shopping letter. The approval is tied to a specific apartment, rent and lease.
Rent is one piece. According to HRA's HASA page, a caseworker at a HASA center also helps clients apply for:
- Medicaid, SNAP and Cash Assistance
- Emergency transitional housing, non-emergency housing and rental assistance
- Home care and homemaking services
- Mental health and substance use screening and treatment referrals
- Employment and vocational services, and transportation assistance
- SSI or SSD applications and appeals
In August 2026 HASA had 35,396 open cases serving 44,451 people.
View the data table
| Type of housing | Cases |
|---|---|
| Rental assistance in a private-market apartment | 22,715 |
| Supportive housing | 4,498 |
| Emergency housing | 1,942 |
What it means: private apartments are the usual outcome, which is why the rest of this guide concentrates on them.
Source: HASA Facts, August 2026.
Who Qualifies for HASA?
Any New York City resident who has been diagnosed with HIV or AIDS qualifies for HASA case management. Rent and cash help have an income test on top of that.
- Medical eligibility. You must have been diagnosed, at any time, with HIV or with AIDS as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since August 29, 2016, you no longer need to have symptoms (HRA).
- Residency. You must live in New York City.
- Income limit for financial benefits. Total household income must be below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level for your household size (HASA FAQ, page 1). For one person in 2026 that is $31,920 a year, twice the $15,960 federal poverty guideline.
- Level of need. HRA then budgets your income against your rent and standard allowances. For a one-person household, the question is whether you would be left with less than $376 a month after your rent contribution. If so, the FAQ says you are eligible for rental assistance "and possibly" Cash Assistance, provided HASA approves the rent and the lease. The $376 figure changes with household size, and HRA has not published the amounts for larger households.
- If you receive SSI or SSDThese count as income and you can still qualify. HRA treats Social Security and veterans' benefits as unearned income with no disregard, so 30% of the full amount goes to rent.
- If you start workingHRA's FAQ describes two earned income disregards for clients already receiving Cash Assistance: 100% of new earnings for the first six months (once per lifetime), then an ongoing 65%. Your 30% rent share is still calculated on gross income, except during the six-month 100% period. The examples below show how this plays out, including a client who earns more than the 200% limit.
TipHRA has a Financial Assistance Estimator on its HASA FAQ page. It only works for a single-person household with no employment income that is not already living in HASA housing, and HRA warns that it is a screening tool, not a decision.
How HASA Rental Assistance Works
HASA pays your landlord directly, and what you pay depends on your income.
- If you have no incomeHASA pays the full approved rent.
- If you have income other than Cash Assistanceyou pay 30% of your gross household income toward rent and HASA pays the rest of the approved rent. The rule covers clients in private-market housing, and income is counted before any disregards (HASA FAQ, page 1).
Key pointThe 30% cap is state law. Social Services Law 131-a(14) says a person living with HIV in New York City who receives HASA services and public assistance "shall not be required to pay more than thirty percent" of monthly earned and unearned income toward rent they are directly obligated to pay. It does not apply to room and board arrangements.
HRA's worked examples: who pays what
| HRA example | Monthly income | Rent | You pay (30%) | HASA pays landlord | Cash grant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. No income | $0 | $1,419 | $0 | $1,419 | $376 |
| B. SSI only | $1,000 | $1,419 | $300 | $1,119 | None |
| C. New job, first six months | $2,000 wages | $1,800 | $0 | $1,800 | $376 |
| C. Same job, after six months | $2,000 wages | $1,800 | $600 | $1,200 | Not stated |
| D. New job above 200% of poverty | $4,000 wages | $1,800 | $1,200 | $600 | None |
What it means: your share tracks your gross income, not the rent.
Source: HASA Frequently Asked Questions, form SPSVC-18 (06/12/2026), pages 3 to 5. These are HRA's examples for a one-person household, not VoucherMatch estimates, and your own budget is decided by HRA.
- Same rent, double the share: In examples C and D the rent is the same $1,800, but the client's share doubles from $600 to $1,200 because the income doubled.
- Earning "too much": Example D also answers this common worry. That client's $48,000 a year is above the 200% limit, so the six-month full disregard does not apply, yet HRA still shows HASA paying $600 of the rent under the 65% disregard.
- What the FAQ leaves open: It does not spell out when higher earnings would end rental assistance, so ask your caseworker before you accept a raise or a second job.
How Much HASA Pays for Rent in 2026
HASA approves rent up to a maximum set by unit size and household size. The schedule in force is HRA's Special Services Rent Payment Guidelines, form SPSVC-17, effective September 10, 2025. HRA's June 2026 FAQ still points to it "for leases starting September 10, 2025 through present," so there is no separate 2026 HASA schedule.
View the data table
| Unit (household size) | HASA maximum rent | CityFHEPS 2026 (for comparison) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio (1 person) | $2,646 | $2,604 |
| 1 Bedroom (1-2 people) | $2,762 | $2,734 |
| 2 Bedroom (3-4 people) | $3,058 | $2,997 |
| 3 Bedroom (5-6 people) | $3,811 | $3,753 |
| 4 Bedroom (7-8 people) | $4,111 | $4,077 |
What it means: a HASA unit should be priced from the HASA column.
Source: HASA column from HRA Special Services Rent Payment Guidelines, SPSVC-17, effective 9/10/2025. CityFHEPS column from DSS-8r, effective 04/01/2026. The HASA schedule continues to a 10-bedroom at $7,812.
Watch outQuoting the CityFHEPS table undercounts what HASA pays.The CityFHEPS numbers dropped in April 2026 and HASA's did not, so a landlord or broker quoting the CityFHEPS table is leaving $28 to $61 a month on the table, and a tenant may be told a unit is over the limit when it is not.
Three conditions come with these maximums, all from the guidelines and the HASA FAQ, page 11.
- Utilities. The amounts assume the rent includes cooking gas, electricity, heat and hot water. If you pay a utility yourself, that amount is subtracted from the maximum. The page of SPSVC-17 that lists the deductions is not in the public file, so ask your caseworker for the figure.
- Heat and hot water. These must be included in the lease, except for apartments obtained through NYC Housing Connect and other City housing lotteries.
- Bedrooms. The number of bedrooms HASA will approve depends on how many people are in the household, their relationship, age, gender and other factors. Exceptions to apartment size are considered case by case on a documented need. HRA adds that the guidelines "are not a guarantee and are subject to change."
For utility rules and more examples, see How Much Does HASA Pay for Rent in 2026?
Types of Housing Available Through HASA
HASA places clients in three kinds of housing, described in the HASA FAQ, pages 8 and 9.
- Private market apartmentsHASA provides rental assistance for a unit you find yourself. HRA says clients "must conduct their own apartment search." Caseworkers can hand you a list of brokers who have worked with HASA clients, without any promise that those brokers have something available.
- Emergency housingIf you are homeless when you are accepted, you can request a same-day placement at ServiceLine, 400 Eighth Avenue in Manhattan. If you are already a client, ask your caseworker. Emergency housing is temporary. Single adults may be placed in transitional supportive housing, single adults and couples in a furnished single room occupancy (SRO) unit, and families in a furnished emergency apartment, depending on what is open.
- Supportive housingFor clients who face barriers to living independently, HASA offers congregate residences (furnished housing with on-site social services under one roof) and scatter-site apartments leased by a housing provider, with supportive services. You complete an application and are interviewed by the Comprehensive Health Assessment Team. Some models also require a history of homelessness.
Watch outTalk to your caseworker before giving up your current apartment.If you already have an apartment and want to move, HRA's advice is direct: do not give up your current apartment before discussing it with your caseworker.
How to Apply for HASA
Call ServiceLine, HASA's single entry point. Most applicants are referred by a hospital or community organization, but you can call yourself, and many do: half of new applications in August 2026 were self-referrals (HASA Facts).
- Phone718-557-1399 (Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM), per HRA
- In person or by mail400 Eighth Avenue, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10001
- Email for documentsServiceLine@hra.nyc.gov. HRA says access to emailed documents is restricted to a limited number of ServiceLine and HASA Administration staff.
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You need medical documentation of your diagnosis.
- W-488X. the Request for Program Admission
- M-11q. the medical request for home care
- SSA-4814 or SSA-4815. a Social Security form (SSA-4814 for adults, SSA-4815 for children)
TipThe W-488X is one page. It asks for your diagnosis and its date, your medications and the reason for referral, and it must carry your physician's name, license number and signature, so bring it to your doctor or clinic first.
Once you are admitted you are assigned a caseworker at a HASA center. HRA says centers are located in all five boroughs but does not publish their addresses, so ServiceLine is the place to ask which center will handle your case.
From first call to first rent check: who does what
- 1You, or a hospital or community organizationContact ServiceLine at 718-557-1399.
- 2Your physicianCompletes and signs the W-488X (or M-11q).
- 3HRA ServiceLineConfirms the diagnosis and assigns a caseworker at a HASA center.
- 4HRAChecks income against 200% of poverty and the level of need.
- 5YouSearch on your own; your caseworker can share a broker list.
- 6Your HASA caseworkerInspects the unit, even if another agency already did.
- 7HASAApproves the rent and the lease.
- 8HASA and youHASA sends the landlord checks twice a month; you pay your 30% share, if any.
- 9Your HASA caseworkerHome visits after move-in, at least every three months for a single client in an independent apartment.
Source: HRA HIV/AIDS Services page, form W-488X and the HASA FAQ (SPSVC-18), pages 1, 7, 9 and 11. The same steps are in the table below.
| Step | Who acts | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Referral | You, or a hospital or community organization | Contact ServiceLine at 718-557-1399 |
| 2. Medical proof | Your physician | Completes and signs the W-488X (or M-11q) |
| 3. Admission | HRA ServiceLine | Confirms the diagnosis and assigns a caseworker at a HASA center |
| 4. Budget | HRA | Checks income against 200% of poverty and the level of need |
| 5. Apartment search | You | Search on your own; caseworker can share a broker list |
| 6. Inspection | Your HASA caseworker | Inspects the unit, even if another agency already did |
| 7. Approval | HASA | Approves the rent and the lease |
| 8. Payment | HASA and you | HASA sends the landlord checks twice a month; you pay your 30% share, if any |
| 9. After move-in | Your HASA caseworker | Home visits, at least every three months for a single client in an independent apartment |
What it means: HRA does not publish how long any of these steps takes, so ask your caseworker for a date at steps 6 and 7 and tell the landlord what you hear.
Source: HRA HIV/AIDS Services page, form W-488X and the HASA FAQ (SPSVC-18), pages 1, 7, 9 and 11.
For the documents to bring and what to say on the call, see How to Apply for HASA in NYC.
Finding an Apartment With HASA
You find the apartment, and HASA approves it afterward. There is no HRA list of HASA apartments.
Watch outDo not sign a lease before the caseworker inspects the unit.When you find a place, tell your caseworker before you sign anything. The caseworker must inspect the unit before it can be approved for rental assistance, whether or not another agency has already inspected it, and HASA must approve both the rent and the lease (HASA FAQ, page 11). HRA has not published the checklist caseworkers use.
- Rent. at or under the maximum for your household size
- Heat and hot water. included
- Payment. the landlord is willing to be paid by HRA check twice a month
On broker fees and security deposits, HRA has not published HASA-specific amounts. It does have two forms.
| Form | What it is | Who completes it |
|---|---|---|
| W-147N | Security voucher | HRA staff, when you ask for a security deposit |
| W-147P | Broker's fee voucher | Your licensed broker |
What it means: ask your caseworker what HASA will issue before you agree to pay anything out of pocket.
Source: HRA's Special Grant Document Guide, which lists both forms.
Brokers can read HASA Broker Requirements. VoucherMatch lists apartments from landlords who accept HASA, so you can skip the calls to owners who will not work with HRA. You can also browse all voucher-friendly listings.
Can Landlords Refuse HASA?
No, with narrow exceptions. Source of income discrimination has been illegal in New York City since 2008 under the NYC Human Rights Law, and the NYC Commission on Human Rights names HASA as a protected lawful source of income. Landlords and brokers also cannot advertise that they do not take programs. The Commission notes exceptions for small owner-occupied buildings and for units that are not publicly advertised.
The Commission enforces this.
- More than $780,000: the damages and penalties the Commission reports for source of income complainants since 2014.
- One settlement: a company that allegedly told a HASA-qualified applicant that housing assistance programs were not accepted agreed to change its policies, set aside 20 apartments and pay damages.
- Another settlement: it involved a landlord that would not complete the paperwork a subsidy required, so stalling counts too.
If a landlord or broker tells you they "don't take HASA," report it.
- Through 311call 311 and ask for "Human Rights"
- By phonecall 212-416-0197
- Onlineuse the Commission's Report Discrimination form
TipThe Commission can contact the landlord quickly in urgent cases, which sometimes saves the apartment. The guide on how to report a landlord who refuses your voucher covers what evidence to keep.
HASA vs. Section 8 vs. CityFHEPS
These are three different programs with different doors. If you have an HIV diagnosis and live in the city, HASA is the one you can apply to today.
- HASARun by HRA for people living with HIV or AIDS. It comes with a caseworker and help with other benefits. You pay 30% of income, and the maximum rent for a studio is $2,646.
- Section 8The Housing Choice Voucher is a federal program. NYCHA says its Section 8 waitlist is closed to new applicants and that it paused issuing vouchers to people on the general waitlist on August 1, 2025.
- CityFHEPSA City rent supplement run by the Department of Social Services. Its 2026 maximum for a studio is $2,604, lower than HASA's. See CityFHEPS vs Section 8 for how those two differ.
If you are not sure which program fits, the voucher eligibility tool sorts through the options.
What Landlords Should Know About HASA
Renting to a HASA client means a lease with the tenant, an inspection by the caseworker and checks from HRA.
- Inspection: A HASA caseworker inspects the unit before approval. This happens even if Section 8 or another agency has already inspected it. HRA has not published the standard, so the practical step is to have the unit in move-in condition with heat, hot water and all systems working. The VoucherMatch Pre-Inspection Checklist is a reasonable way to prepare.
- Payments: Once HASA approves the rent and lease, the landlord, property manager or agent receives checks twice a month: one base rent payment each period, plus a second supplemental payment each period if the client also receives the HASA rental subsidy. The tenant pays any 30% share to you directly (HASA FAQ, page 11).
- Rent limits: Use the HASA maximums above, not the CityFHEPS table. The rent should include heat and hot water, and tenant-paid utilities lower the maximum.
- Paperwork: HASA has to approve the lease as well as the rent, so send the caseworker the proposed lease before signing.
- Legal obligation: Refusing an applicant because the rent would be paid by HASA is source of income discrimination under the NYC Human Rights Law.
If you want to rent to HASA clients, you can list your property on VoucherMatch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does HASA stand for? HIV/AIDS Services Administration. It is part of the NYC Human Resources Administration.
Is HASA a Section 8 voucher? No. HRA says HASA rental assistance is not CityFHEPS or a voucher program. HASA approves a specific apartment and pays that landlord.
How much is the HASA voucher in 2026? Up to $2,646 for a studio with all utilities included, under guidelines effective September 10, 2025 that HRA still lists as current. Larger units, on the same terms:
- One-bedroom: up to $2,762
- Two-bedroom: up to $3,058
- Three-bedroom: up to $3,811
Where is the HASA office in the Bronx or Brooklyn? HRA says there are HASA centers in all five boroughs but does not publish their addresses. New applicants start at ServiceLine, 400 Eighth Avenue, 2nd Floor, Manhattan, or by phone at 718-557-1399.
Is there other rental help for people with HIV who cannot get HASA? Possibly. The NYC Health Department funds HOPWA rental assistance for people with HIV who are homeless or at serious risk of homelessness and who meet HASA's medical and financial criteria but are not eligible for HASA for administrative reasons. That page lists the providers by borough.
How long does HASA approval take? HRA has not published a timeline for admission, inspection or the first payment.
Resources
- HRA HIV/AIDS Services page (official program page and forms)
- HASA Frequently Asked Questions, SPSVC-18 (benefit examples, housing types, landlord payment)
- HRA Special Services Rent Payment Guidelines, SPSVC-17 (maximum rents)
- HASA FAQ page with the Financial Assistance Estimator
- ACCESS NYC HASA page (short overview; apply by phone)
- NYC Commission on Human Rights: Source of Income Discrimination
- ServiceLine: 718-557-1399
Next step: if you have not applied, ask your doctor or clinic to complete the W-488X and call ServiceLine. If you are already a HASA client, confirm your maximum rent and bedroom size with your caseworker, then look at apartments from landlords who accept HASA.
How this article was checked
Last checked: October 4, 2026, against HRA's HIV/AIDS Services page, the HASA Frequently Asked Questions (form SPSVC-18, dated 06/12/2026), the HRA Special Services Rent Payment Guidelines (form SPSVC-17, effective 9/10/2025), the Request for Program Admission (form W-488X, rev. 01/08/2021), HASA Facts for August 2026, the CityFHEPS payment standards (DSS-8r, rev. 01/14/2026), New York Social Services Law 131-a and the NYC Commission on Human Rights source-of-income page.
Sources for this article (15)
- HIV/AIDS Services page (nyc.gov)
- HASA FAQ, page 11 (nyc.gov)
- HASA Facts, August 2026 (nyc.gov)
- $15,960 federal poverty guideline (aspe.hhs.gov)
- Financial Assistance Estimator (nyc.gov)
- Social Services Law 131-a(14) (nysenate.gov)
- HRA Special Services Rent Payment Guidelines, SPSVC-17, effective 9/10/2025 (nyc.gov)
- DSS-8r, effective 04/01/2026 (nyc.gov)
- Request for Program Admission (nyc.gov)
- Special Grant Document Guide (nyc.gov)
- NYC Commission on Human Rights (nyc.gov)
- Report Discrimination form (nyc.gov)
- closed to new applicants (nyc.gov)
- HOPWA rental assistance (nyc.gov)
- ACCESS NYC HASA page (access.nyc.gov)
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