To apply for low-income housing in New York City, individuals must first determine eligibility based on household size and income limits set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and local programs. They should visit the New York State Homeless and Housing Assistance System (NYSHCHAS) website to check income qualifications and locate available units. Next, they must complete an application through the NYSHCHAS portal or contact a local public housing authority or private non-profit organization. Required documents include proof of income, identification, and household composition. Applications are typically submitted online, with priority given to applicants with the longest wait times. Once submitted, the housing agency reviews the application and schedules a verification interview if eligible.

The process prioritizes applicants with the longest wait times due to the high demand for limited units. As of 2023, New York City has approximately 100,000 public and private low-income housing units, yet the average wait time for Section 8 vouchers exceeds five years, according to NYSHCHAS data. Eligibility criteria require households to earn at or below 50-80% of the area median income (AMI), adjusted for household size. For example, a family of four in 2023 must earn less than $53,000 annually (50% of AMI) to qualify for most programs. Public housing waiting lists often exceed 200,000 applicants, highlighting the systemic challenge of housing affordability. By centralizing applications through NYSHCHAS, the city ensures consistency and reduces administrative costs, though delays persist due to funding constraints and bureaucratic inefficiencies. This structured approach balances fairness and resource allocation but underscores the urgency for increased federal and local investment in affordable housing solutions.