Section 8 Apartments in Brooklyn
Find apartments that accept Section 8 vouchers in Brooklyn, NYC. All listings are verified and landlords are ready to work with voucher holders.
Section 8 Rent Limits in NYC
The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program is the federal government's largest rental assistance program. It helps low-income families, the elderly, and disabled individuals afford safe, decent housing in the private market.
Studio
$2,604
1BR
$2,734
2BR
$2,997
3BR
$3,753
4BR
$4,077
5BR
$4,689
* Payment standards effective April 2026. Actual limits may vary based on program and specific circumstances.
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Section 8 rents in Brooklyn right now
There are 18 active Brooklyn listings on VoucherMatch from landlords who accept Section 8. 17 of the 18 with a posted rent are listed at or under the Section 8 payment standard for the apartment size, before any utility allowance. With Section 8 you can also rent above the payment standard and pay the difference, within the 40% of income limit that applies when you first lease up. These figures are recalculated from live listings and change as apartments are added and rented.
| Size | Active listings | Asking rent | Section 8 payment standard | At or under it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom | 10 | $1,496 to $1,500 | $2,734 | 10 of 10 |
| 2-bedroom | 4 | $2,200 | $2,997 | 4 of 4 |
| 3-bedroom | 3 | $3,373 to $3,600 | $3,753 | 3 of 3 |
| 4-bedroom | 1 | $4,500 | $4,077 | 0 of 1 |
Where the Brooklyn listings are: Williamsburg (11), East New York (2), Brownsville (1).
How renting with a Section 8 voucher works in Brooklyn
Section 8 in Brooklyn is not one program. Three agencies issue Housing Choice Vouchers in New York City (NYCHA, HPD, and New York State HCR), and the one named on your voucher decides which portal you use, who inspects the apartment, and who pays the landlord. The voucher itself works the same way in every borough.
Every landlord on this page has told us they accept Section 8, so the search starts with owners who already expect the paperwork. What follows is the order things happen in once you have a voucher in hand.
- 1
Know which agency issued your voucher
Your voucher paperwork names NYCHA, HPD, or HCR. NYCHA runs the largest program and uses the Self-Service Portal. HPD vouchers mostly come through city agency referrals. HCR runs the smallest of the three. Calling the wrong agency about your voucher only costs you time, so check before you start.
- 2
Watch the clock on your voucher
A NYCHA voucher gives you 120 days to find an apartment plus an automatic 60-day extension, 180 days in all. More time is possible, but NYCHA decides those requests case by case, so ask well before the voucher runs out. After 60 days of searching, NYCHA's Housing Navigation Unit helps first-time voucher holders. If HPD or HCR issued your voucher, ask them for your own deadline.
- 3
Price the apartment against the payment standard
The payment standard is the most the agency will count toward rent for your voucher size. Unlike the city programs, Section 8 lets you rent above it and pay the difference yourself, but when you first lease up your total housing cost (rent plus utilities) cannot be more than 40% of your adjusted income. Most voucher holders cannot go far over the standard, so filter by rent first.
- 4
Submit the rental packet
You and the landlord submit a rental packet to the agency with the landlord's information, the proposed rent, details about the unit, and which utilities are included. The agency checks that the rent is reasonable compared with similar apartments nearby.
- 5
Inspection
NYCHA typically schedules the inspection within five business days of accepting the packet. If the unit fails, the landlord has 30 days to make repairs (24 hours for emergencies such as no heat or a gas leak), and then the unit is inspected again. A failed first inspection is the most common reason a move-in slips by weeks.
- 6
HAP contract, lease, and move-in
Once the unit passes, the agency issues a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract. The landlord signs it along with your lease and returns both. When things go smoothly, expect two to four weeks from rental packet to move-in approval.
- 7
Keep the voucher in good standing
You recertify every year and report income or household changes when they happen. If you want to move later, get approval before you move. Since May 1, 2026, NYCHA only processes non-emergency transfers that are cost-neutral, meaning the new apartment's gross rent is the same as or lower than your current one. Emergency transfers are handled separately.
What Section 8 pays and what you pay
NYCHA's standard payment standards for 2026 are $2,604 for a studio, $2,734 for a one-bedroom, $2,997 for a two-bedroom, $3,753 for a three-bedroom, and $4,077 for a four-bedroom. They are the same in all five boroughs, and some ZIP codes carry higher exception payment standards. If you pay some utilities yourself, a utility allowance counts against the standard.
You pay about 30% of your adjusted income toward rent. The agency pays the rest to the landlord every month as the Housing Assistance Payment. NYCHA pays by direct deposit only.
If you do not have a voucher yet: the NYC waitlists are almost always closed. NYCHA last opened its list for one week in June 2024, and on August 1, 2025 it paused issuing vouchers to the general waitlist, a pause that is still in effect. HPD vouchers come through city agency referrals rather than an open application. Applying is always free, so anyone charging a fee to "get you on the list" is running a scam.
If a landlord will not take Section 8
A landlord or broker in New York City cannot turn you down because your rent is paid through Section 8. That is source-of-income discrimination, illegal under the NYC Human Rights Law since 2008 and under the NYS Human Rights Law statewide.
The common versions: the apartment is suddenly "no longer available" once you mention the program, an ad that says "no programs," a higher rent quoted to voucher holders, or a "40 times the rent" income rule applied to you even though the program pays most of the rent.
Write down the date, the address, and who you spoke to, and keep any texts or emails. You can report it to the NYC Commission on Human Rights at 212-416-0197 or to the HRA Source of Income Discrimination Team at 929-221-6576 (soi@dss.nyc.gov).
Who to call about Section 8 in Brooklyn
- NYCHA Customer Contact Center (Mon to Fri, 8am to 5pm)
- 718-707-7771
- NYCHA voucher status, documents, recertification
- NYCHA Self-Service Portal
- HPD Section 8 Client Services
- 917-286-4300
- NYS HCR Subsidy Services Bureau
- 212-480-6672
Section 8 guides
How long Section 8 approval takes in NYC
Every stage from waitlist to keys, with realistic timelines.
Section 8 payment standards for 2026
Standard and exception amounts, plus NYCHA's utility allowances.
How the NYC Section 8 waitlists work
Which lists to watch and what you can apply for while they are closed.
How to get a voucher extension
What to ask for, and when, if your search is running long.
How to transfer your voucher to a new apartment
Approval steps and the 2026 cost-neutral rule.
HPD vs NYCHA vs HCR
How the three NYC Section 8 agencies differ for tenants and landlords.
How to report a landlord who refuses your voucher
Who takes the complaint, what evidence helps, and what happens next.
Section 8 Apartments in Other NYC Boroughs
Apartments Near Major Locations
Find housing near hospitals, colleges, VA medical centers, and job centers in Brooklyn.
Helpful Resources
Inspection Checklist
Prepare your apartment for HQS inspection
Rent Analyzer Tool
Check if rent is within FMR limits
CityFHEPS vs Section 8
Understand the differences
Eligibility Calculator
Check if you qualify for vouchers
Want help with the search? Licensed brokers in Brooklyn that accept vouchers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Section 8 rent limit in Brooklyn?
Section 8 rent limits in Brooklyn match the NYC-wide payment standards: Studio: $2,604, 1BR: $2,734, 2BR: $2,997, 3BR: $3,753. These are maximum rents that the voucher program will approve.
How do I find Section 8 apartments in Brooklyn?
VoucherMatch lists verified apartments that accept Section 8 vouchers. Browse our listings, filter by neighborhood and bedroom count, and apply directly through our platform. All landlords on VoucherMatch have confirmed they accept housing vouchers.
Can I use my Section 8 voucher anywhere in Brooklyn?
Yes, Section 8 vouchers can be used anywhere in NYC where a landlord accepts them. The apartment must pass inspection and your housing agency has to approve the rent. A rent above the payment standard can work only if your own share stays within program limits. Use our rent analyzer tool to check if a specific rent qualifies.
Is the Section 8 waitlist open in Brooklyn?
There is no separate waitlist for Brooklyn. NYCHA's citywide list last opened for one week in June 2024 and is closed. On August 1, 2025, NYCHA also paused issuing vouchers to the general waitlist, and that pause is still in effect. HPD vouchers come through city agency referrals, and HCR opens its list rarely. Applications are always free.
How much will Section 8 pay for an apartment in Brooklyn?
The standard payment standards are the same in every borough: $2,734 for a one-bedroom and $2,997 for a two-bedroom in 2026, with higher exception standards in some ZIP codes. You pay about 30% of your adjusted income and the agency pays the rest to the landlord.
Can I rent an apartment that costs more than the payment standard?
Yes, which is different from CityFHEPS. You pay the difference yourself, but when you first lease up your total housing cost (rent plus utilities) cannot be more than 40% of your adjusted income.
How long do I have to find an apartment with my voucher?
With a NYCHA voucher, 120 days plus an automatic 60-day extension, for 180 days in total. Extensions beyond that are decided case by case, so request one before the voucher expires. If HPD or HCR issued your voucher, ask them for your deadline.
How long does approval take after I find an apartment?
About two to four weeks from rental packet to move-in approval when the unit passes inspection the first time. NYCHA typically schedules the inspection within five business days. A failed inspection adds the repair time plus a re-inspection.
Can I move to a different apartment and keep my voucher?
Yes, with approval before you move. Since May 1, 2026, NYCHA only processes non-emergency transfers where the new gross rent is the same as or lower than your current rent. Emergency transfers, for example for domestic violence, follow a separate process.
Ready to find your new home?
Browse 18 Section 8 apartments in Brooklyn and apply today.
Official Section 8 resources
Program eligibility, rules, and rent standards are set by these government agencies. VoucherMatch is an independent marketplace, not a government agency.