Housing Assistance for Single Mothers in New York

Where to start

The fastest path depends on where you live. New York City has its own systems through HRA, DHS, Homebase, NYCHA, Housing Connect, and 311. The rest of New York uses county Departments of Social Services, local housing authorities, nonprofit agencies, and HCR housing tools.

If you also need food, child care, or cash help, compare New York SNAP, New York child care, and New York grants while your housing request is pending.

Quick reference table

New York City rent and shelter help

Homebase

Homebase helps NYC households at risk of shelter entry. It may help with eviction prevention, benefits, landlord problems, rent arrears, short-term services, and aftercare for people leaving shelter. Call the Homebase office that serves your ZIP code before you go in, because locations may use appointments.

Homebase is a strong first call if you have a rent demand, lease problem, housing court papers, unsafe housing, family conflict that may make you homeless, or a sudden income loss.

One Shot Deal and Emergency Assistance

A One Shot Deal is NYC emergency assistance for a crisis such as rent arrears, a utility shutoff, loss of income, a medical emergency, domestic violence, or another issue that affects health and safety. You can apply through ACCESS HRA or at an HRA Benefits Access Center. HRA may ask for an interview and documents.

Some emergency assistance may need to be repaid. HRA should tell you if repayment is required. Do not assume it is a grant unless the notice says so. For more general bill help, see our help with bills guide.

CityFHEPS and FHEPS

CityFHEPS is a NYC rent supplement that can help eligible people and families find and keep housing. The city says CityFHEPS can pay part of eligible tenants’ rent for up to five years, and eligible New Yorkers may use it anywhere in New York State.

FHEPS is a rent supplement for families with children who get Cash Assistance and are facing eviction, have been evicted, lost housing because of domestic violence, or lost housing because of health or safety issues. A pregnant person can also be part of the household rule. FHEPS decisions are case-by-case.

These programs are not open to every renter. Many applicants must have Cash Assistance, an eviction or shelter risk, and enough documentation. Ask HRA, Homebase, a shelter caseworker, or a legal services office which path fits your case.

Family shelter in NYC

Families with children younger than 21 and pregnant people apply for DHS temporary housing through PATH in the Bronx. PATH is open 24 hours a day. NYC says applications are processed during business hours. Bring IDs, birth certificates, Social Security cards, Medicaid cards, pay stubs, school records, and any eviction or lease papers if you have them.

If you are not yet homeless but may lose housing soon, call Homebase first. Shelter can be necessary, but it is stressful and may involve placement away from your current neighborhood.

Statewide and county help outside NYC

Outside NYC, the county DSS is usually the main door for urgent rent, shelter, Temporary Assistance, SNAP, child care subsidy referrals, and HEAP. Ask for the emergency unit or Temporary Assistance unit. Say clearly if you have children, are pregnant, have a court date, have a shutoff notice, or have nowhere safe to sleep.

New York’s old COVID-era Emergency Rental Assistance Program is closed. If you need rent help now, do not rely on ERAP. Use DSS, 211, legal aid, or local nonprofits instead. The state ERAP update may still help with an old ERAP issue or appeal.

Temporary Assistance may help very low-income families meet basic needs. It is not only a housing program, but emergency assistance may sometimes help with rent arrears, shelter, utilities, or other urgent needs. Rules depend on income, household, resources, immigration status, work rules, and the reason for the emergency.

Our local resource guide can help you organize calls to agencies and charities.

Section 8, public housing, and affordable apartments

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers help eligible families rent in the private market. Usually, the tenant pays a portion of income toward rent, and the voucher pays the approved landlord. But Section 8 is not quick emergency help. Waitlists open and close, and many local housing authorities have long waits.

In New York City, the NYCHA Section 8 waitlist is closed to new applicants as of this update. NYCHA also paused active outreach and voucher issuance for applicants on the general Housing Choice Voucher waitlist effective August 1, 2025. If you already applied, keep your Self-Service Portal information updated.

Outside NYC, use the state HCR voucher page and local housing authorities to check open waitlists. You may be able to apply online through the MyHousing Portal when lists are open, or by paper through the local administrator.

Also apply for project-based Section 8 and other affordable buildings. Project-based vouchers stay with the unit, not the tenant, but they can be a real path to lower rent. Our Section 8 guide explains the basics in more detail.

If you are trying to buy later, start with housing counseling and realistic budgeting. Our down payment help page explains New York homebuyer options.

HEAP and utility help

The Home Energy Assistance Program can help eligible New Yorkers with heating and cooling costs. Rules, dates, and funding change by program year. The state HEAP page explains current eligibility factors.

When regular HEAP is open, NYC residents can usually apply through ACCESS HRA. Residents outside NYC can usually use myBenefits or their local HEAP district. Emergency HEAP is handled through the local district and may be available during a heat or heat-related emergency, such as a shutoff or running out of deliverable fuel.

If you have a shutoff notice, call the utility company and ask for a payment agreement, low-income program, medical hold if medically needed, and any HEAP-related options. Keep notes.

Documents to gather

You can still ask for help if you do not have every paper. But documents can prevent delays. Keep photos in a phone folder if that is easier.

If you are denied, delayed, ignored, or refused because of a voucher

If a benefit office denies help, ask for the notice in writing. It should say why you were denied and how to appeal or ask for a fair hearing. Keep the notice and the date received. Use LawHelpNY to look for free legal services.

If a landlord, broker, or manager refuses to consider you because you use Section 8, CityFHEPS, FHEPS, SSI, public assistance, child support, or another lawful income source, save proof. Proof can be a listing, text, email, voicemail, application denial, or the name of the person who said it. New York agencies still direct renters to file source-of-income complaints, but housing law can be complicated, so legal help is smart.

In NYC, contact the NYC Commission on Human Rights through the CCHR complaint information page. Statewide, you can use the Attorney General’s source-income complaint form or the Division of Human Rights DHR report page. If you are in NYC and facing eviction, ask for Right-to-Counsel help in court.

If the issue is also about child support, custody, or safety, do not try to handle it alone. Our child support help page explains where to start for support orders and payments.