CityFHEPS vs Section 8
Both help pay your rent, but they are run by different agencies and you get them in different ways. Here is how they compare.
The short version: Section 8 is a federal voucher you can use anywhere in the country, usually after a long waitlist. CityFHEPS is a New York City subsidy for people who are homeless or facing eviction, available through HRA rather than a lottery. In New York City the two pay the same maximum rent, because CityFHEPS uses the NYCHA Section 8 payment standards.
| Section 8 (HCV) | CityFHEPS | |
|---|---|---|
| Who runs it | Federal program (HUD), run by local public housing authorities. In NYC that is NYCHA and NYC HPD. | New York City program, run by the NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA). |
| Where it works | Nationwide, and portable: you can generally move your voucher to another city or state. | New York City. To relocate elsewhere, NYC uses a separate program (SOTA). |
| Who qualifies | Low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities, usually under 50% of area median income. | People who are in shelter, facing eviction, or at risk of homelessness, as determined by HRA. |
| How you get it | Apply to a housing authority waitlist, which is often closed or by lottery and can take years. | Eligibility-based through HRA or a shelter caseworker, not a public lottery. |
| How the rent limit is set | HUD Fair Market Rent for the area. In SAFMR metros it is set per ZIP code. | Citywide payment standards by unit size, which match the NYCHA Section 8 standard. |
| How rent is paid | The program pays the landlord directly each month; the tenant pays a share, usually about 30% of income. | Same structure: the program pays the landlord directly and the tenant pays a share. |
See how much each program pays by unit size in Housing voucher programs explained, or look up Section 8 limits for a ZIP with the Rent Analyzer.
Frequently asked questions
Is CityFHEPS the same as Section 8?
No. They are separate programs with different agencies and eligibility rules. Section 8 is federal and available nationwide; CityFHEPS is a New York City program for people who are homeless or facing eviction. In NYC, though, the two use the same dollar rent limits.
Can you have both CityFHEPS and Section 8?
Not for the same apartment at the same time. A household uses one rental subsidy per unit. Some CityFHEPS households later move onto a Section 8 voucher if one becomes available, but you cannot stack both on one lease.
Which pays more, CityFHEPS or Section 8?
In New York City the maximum rents are the same, because CityFHEPS payment standards match the NYCHA Section 8 standard. The amount you pay out of pocket depends on your income under either program.
Do landlords have to accept CityFHEPS and Section 8?
In New York City and New York State, yes. Refusing a tenant because they pay with a voucher is illegal source-of-income discrimination.
More guides
Housing voucher programs explained
What Section 8, CityFHEPS, FHEPS, HASA, SOTA, and VASH are, who qualifies for each, and how they pay rent.
Do landlords have to accept Section 8?
Source-of-income discrimination law explained: where a landlord can legally refuse a housing voucher and where they cannot.
How to find a landlord who accepts Section 8
A step-by-step guide to finding voucher-friendly apartments and landlords who accept Section 8 and city vouchers.
Find an apartment that takes your voucher
Every landlord on VoucherMatch accepts housing vouchers, and each listing shows which ones. Searching and applying is free.
Browse voucher-friendly listings