Housing voucher programs explained
Section 8, CityFHEPS, FHEPS, HASA, SOTA, and VASH all help pay rent, but they are run by different agencies and have different rules. Here is what each one is, who qualifies, and how it pays.
A housing voucher (also called a rental subsidy) pays part of your rent directly to the landlord, so you pay a smaller share out of pocket. Section 8 is the federal program available nationwide. CityFHEPS, FHEPS, and HASA are New York programs for people who are homeless or facing eviction. Every landlord on VoucherMatch accepts one or more of these vouchers.
Section 8 (HCV): Housing Choice Voucher Program
Federal, nationwide- Who qualifies
- Low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities. Income limits are set locally, usually at 50% of the area median income. It is the largest federal rental-assistance program.
- How it pays rent
- The tenant generally pays about 30% of their income toward rent, and the voucher covers the rest up to a payment standard. That standard is based on HUD Fair Market Rent; in the metro areas HUD designates for Small Area FMR (about two dozen, plus authorities that opt in) the limit is set per ZIP code, and elsewhere a single metro-wide figure applies.
- Administered by
- Local public housing authorities (in NYC, NYCHA and NYC HPD)
CityFHEPS: City Family Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement
New York City- Who qualifies
- NYC families and individuals who are in a shelter, facing eviction, or otherwise at risk of homelessness. Eligibility is determined by HRA.
- How it pays rent
- CityFHEPS uses citywide payment standards (not ZIP-specific) that match the NYCHA Section 8 standard. The tenant pays a share of the rent and CityFHEPS covers the rest up to the standard for the unit size.
- Administered by
- NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA)
FHEPS: Family Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement
New York State- Who qualifies
- Families with children who receive public assistance and are facing eviction or homelessness. It is the state counterpart to CityFHEPS.
- How it pays rent
- In New York City, FHEPS uses the same payment standards as CityFHEPS.
- Administered by
- New York State OTDA, via NYC HRA
HASA: HIV/AIDS Services Administration
New York City- Who qualifies
- NYC residents living with HIV or AIDS. HASA provides rental assistance along with case management and other services.
- How it pays rent
- HASA rental assistance uses the CityFHEPS payment standards for the unit size.
- Administered by
- NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA)
SOTA: Special One-Time Assistance
New York City- Who qualifies
- NYC shelter residents with a source of income to sustain rent after the first year. SOTA can be used to relocate within NYC or elsewhere.
- How it pays rent
- SOTA pays up to 12 months of rent in a single up-front payment. It is a one-time move-in subsidy, not an ongoing monthly voucher.
- Administered by
- NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA)
VASH: HUD-VASH (Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing)
Federal, nationwide- Who qualifies
- Veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness. VASH pairs a Section 8 voucher with VA case management and clinical services.
- How it pays rent
- VASH works like a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher: the tenant pays roughly 30% of income and the voucher covers the rest up to the local payment standard.
- Administered by
- Local public housing authorities with the VA
NYC payment standards (CityFHEPS, FHEPS, HASA)
These are the citywide maximum monthly rents by unit size, effective July 1, 2025. CityFHEPS, FHEPS, and HASA share the same standards, which match the NYCHA Section 8 standard. Section 8 limits outside these programs are set by ZIP code from HUD Fair Market Rent.
| Unit size | Maximum monthly rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $2,646 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,762 |
| 2 bedroom | $3,058 |
| 3 bedroom | $3,811 |
| 4 bedroom | $4,111 |
| 5 bedroom | $4,728 |
| Single room (SRO) | $1,985 |
| Room in a shared apartment | $1,100 |
Source: NYC HRA (DSS-8r). Look up Section 8 limits for any ZIP code with the Rent Analyzer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Section 8 and CityFHEPS?
Section 8 is a federal program run by local housing authorities nationwide, with rent limits based on HUD Fair Market Rent. CityFHEPS is a New York City program run by HRA for people who are homeless or facing eviction, with citywide payment standards. In NYC the two use the same dollar limits, but they have different eligibility rules and waitlists.
Can a landlord refuse a housing voucher?
In New York City and New York State it is illegal to refuse a rental applicant because they would pay with a housing voucher or other lawful source of income. Many other states and cities have similar source-of-income protections, but coverage varies by location.
How much rent will a voucher cover?
It depends on the program, the unit size, and the location. Section 8 uses HUD Fair Market Rent for the area; CityFHEPS, FHEPS, and HASA use citywide NYC standards. You can look up the current figure for any ZIP code and bedroom count with the VoucherMatch Section 8 Rent Analyzer.
More guides
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.
CityFHEPS vs Section 8: what is the difference?
A side-by-side comparison of CityFHEPS and Section 8: who runs each program, who qualifies, how much rent they pay, and how to use them in NYC.
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 a landlord who accepts your voucher
Every listing on VoucherMatch shows which vouchers the landlord accepts. Searching and applying is free.
Browse voucher-friendly listings