New York City Rent Assistance Programs

New York rent Assistance.  Are you unemployed and need help with rent?  These New York programs can help with rent.  This outreach aims to help families with issues, like food, referrals to food banks, and help to pay bills.   Whether you live in the Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, or Staten Island, some programs help with emergency housing.  

New York rent assistance and temporary housing programs help prevent eviction and provide temporary and transitional housing.   Homelessness in America is a real problem in New York City and across the United States.  It can be one of the most devastating experiences, especially when you have children.

New York Programs Rent Assistance

Millions of New Yorkers need help with temporary or permanent housing.  It is important to know where to go for help before an eviction takes place.  There are emergency rent assistance programs available that can help you stay in your home.  When you pass a homeless person, know that this situation is not necessarily their fault. There are many causes of homelessness, such as losing a job, sickness, mental illness, disability, divorce, and unforeseen disasters.

These are our neighbors, our families, and our friends, and we ourselves are not exempt from misfortune. It could be you.  If you are homeless or facing homelessness, we have compiled a list of places to get assistance.  The number of homeless has risen to its highest levels in New York since the Depression.

In 2015, there were said to be almost 60,000 homeless, including men, women, children, and families. These live in homeless shelters, and welfare hotels and some live on the street. The percentage of people in New York living in shelters is 85% higher than a decade before.

Government Agencies Provide Rent Assistance

HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development)

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development helps low-income residents purchase homes, provides emergency help with mortgages, and rent prevents foreclosure, and secures security deposits on new housing.  Over a million families use HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) each year. They are a great resource for the poor, disabled, and the elderly to find private and public housing.  Other HUD assistance programs are:

• Buying a Home
• Homelessness Assistance
• Down Payment Assistance
• Buying a HUD Home
• Rental Assistance and Section 8 Programs

Department of Social Services

The Department of Social Services offers once-a-year emergency help for those not receiving government assistance and are experiencing financial hardship. They will help with rent, mortgage, and other needs. You must qualify financially by living at or below the US Poverty Guideline.

Church and Charity Assistance Programs

These Faith-based ministries provide help with rent, utilities, and more.  If you are in a situation where you can not pay your rent or mortgage, these charities can prevent you from being evicted.  They will speak with your landlord or mortgage company to inform them they are working with you.  This will usually stop the eviction process. Don’t wait until the last minute to ask for help. They do not give cash directly.

• Catholic Charities
• The Salvation Army
• Jewish Federation of North America
• St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church

Needless to say, there is a lack of affordable housing in New York rent and subsidized housing are not immediately available, as waiting lists can be as long as a few years.  Those who lose their homes have to look for emergency housing until they can find a permanent home.

The average two-bedroom apartment in New York New rent assistance starts at about $1,500 and can go as high as over $2,000.  Where does that leave an adult trying to care for their family on minimum wage?  These families and individuals will need to take advantage of emergency housing assistance programs.

New York Programs Offer Rent, Temporary Housing 

PATH (Prevention Assistance and Temporary Housing)
151 East 151st Street
Bronx, NY 10451

PATH is a shelter that works with:

Families with children no older than 21 years old, pregnant women, and families with pregnant women.  PATH is open 24/7.   To apply for shelter, go to a PATH office.

Documentation Required:

• Visa
• Passport
• Picture ID
• Medicaid Card
• Drivers license
• Eviction Notice
• Con Edison bill
• Recent payroll stubs
• Social Security card
• Proof of Resident for the past 12 months
• Birth certificates for all adults and children

If you are homeless or have been recently evicted, apply for housing assistance.   It provides temporary emergency housing for families with older children.

AFIC – Shelter – Provides temporary emergency housing assistance for families with older children.

• 400-430 East 30th St. and 1st Ave.
•  New York, NY 10016
• Phone: 1-800-944-6494

Who can apply for emergency shelter at AFIC:

• Legally married couples
• What qualifies as an Adult Family?
• Domestic partners with legal certification
• Custodial adult caring for a medically dependent adult
• Two adults residing together for the past six months or child sibling, or caretaker to someone needing mental or physical support.

Please Bring Documentation like:

• Lease
• Proof of Income
• Notice of eviction
• Utility bills (phone or electric)
• Proof of residence for the previous 12 months

Church Assistance Programs

A faith-based organization is available to get emergency help with rent and those looking for affordable housing.  Many large and even smaller churches in your community receive a donation to help the less fortunate.  These churches also apply for government grants to distribute assistance to low-income families in their community.

These churches also apply for government grants to distribute assistance to low-income families in their community.  These ministries provide help with eviction prevention, help with utilities, and help with finding emergency housing.  Local Church Assistance is the lifeline to many in the city.

Charities that Help with Rent and Eviction Prevention

Charities, such as The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, or the Red Cross, may provide emergency help paying rent and utilities.  Go online to:  Local Independent Charities of America to locate a charity that can give you the help you need. (800) 876-0413

• Red Cross
• United Way
• Salvation Army
• Catholic Charities

Many people with housing problems need legal advice regarding evictions, child custody, and other important issues.  Shelters help provide temporary housing to those transitioning from prison back into the community or people who have lost their homes due to unemployment, sickness, etc.  These agencies also put clients in touch with organizations that provide rent assistance, help with down payments for new housing, and other social services that can help individuals and families return to stability.

These agencies also put clients in touch with organizations that provide rent assistance, help with down payments for new housing, and other social services that can help individuals and families return to stability.  When living in temporary housing, it is important to have access to healthy food. Unfortunately, finances may be limited. There is help available from community food banks, like the Food Bank of New York City and the Food Banks of Hudson Valley.