Between the multiple programs, acronyms, and changing options, it can be easy to be confused about affordable housing options in New York City. As a large metropolis, New York City has more specialized programs and, therefore, many acronyms and terms that you may hear in the dialogue around housing for low-income families or families that have or are at risk of experiencing homelessness.
This post will help our readers better understand the most common programs and specialized terms in the housing landscape in NYC. We’ll also attempt to give the quickest plain-language explanation of who is eligible for different programs and link to additional resources.
Please expand each term below to learn more and see links to helpful resources.
A more comprehensive list of acronyms focused on social services can be found here
Continuum of Care:
May refer to federal, state, and local programs designed to provide community-based resources to address homelessness. It may also refer to any range of services meant to provide people with resources at each stage of housing insecurity, from preventing eviction and stabilizing finances to securing permanent housing after a shelter stay, and supporting all participant needs that may be underlying the cause of them becoming unhoused.
Area Median Income (AMI):
The middle or midpoint of all the household income amounts in an area. In a given area, there are precisely as many families with less income than the AMI number as there are with more income.
Eligibility for housing programs is often based on the family’s income as a percentage of AMI. Area Median Income considers the number of people living in the home; you will see higher AMI numbers for larger families. In New York City, the AMI for a family of two is $124,300. If a program only accepts families making 50% or less than the AMI, the family would need an income of $62,150 or less.
More information and Area Median Income Percentage Calculator for NYC 2024
Affordable Housing:
In New York City, Affordable Housing Units are built and managed by the NYC Department of Housing and Preservation Development (HPD) and the Housing Development Corporation (HDC). Buildings are designed for many different income levels (from 30% to 165% of AMI), so rents will vary greatly from building to building, with the intention always being that rent will be set at one-third of what a family earns. Buildings may be built to accommodate people on the lower end of AMI percentages or the middle or higher end. Demand for affordable units is high, so eligible New Yorkers enter housing lotteries for each building.
80/20 or 80/20 Building: This refers to a program where landlords set aside 20% of the housing units in a newly constructed building for low—or moderate-income renters (defined as between 51-80% of AMI for low income and 81-120% of AMI for moderate income). HousingPlus collaborates with landlords and builders on projects to provide affordable housing units for our permanent supportive housing tenants. In many buildings where our tenants live, some units are allocated for HousingPlus, and other apartments in the building are rented at market rate. This system allows a building to be profitable for a landlord while providing affordable units.
Learn about Housing Connect, the affordable housing site/application
CityFHEPS:
CityFHEPS: A voucher program operated by NYC for households who have been living in New York City shelters or are at risk of entering shelter.
CityFHEPS vouchers can be used by residents in HousingPlus transitional supportive units when they are ready to exit to permanent housing.
Who is eligible? While there are some exceptions, generally, CityFHEPS is for people who have been in a NYC shelter for 90 days. At least one family member must have a valid legal immigration status. The household total earnings must be less than 200% of the federal poverty line (200% of the federal poverty line is $31,300 for a single person in 2025). Either a member of the household works, or someone in the house is over 60, disabled, or caretaking for another disabled family member.
Public Housing:
Commonly refers to buildings operated by the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). Public housing is funded through grants from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Tenants in public housing pay 30% of their income towards rent.
HousingPlus does not operate or oversee any NYCHA housing.
Who is eligible? In the simplest terms, the family must earn less than 80% of AMI. The family must have a source of income, a family member with an eligible disability, or a person over 60 residing with them. Domestic violence survivors have different requirements and can get housing more quickly.
Learn about NYCHA
Apply to NYCHA
Section 8:
A federally funded program also known as the Housing Choice Voucher Program. In NYC, Section 8 vouchers are in such high demand that the city has temporarily closed the application for Section 8.
Who is eligible? Families with household income under 50% of the median (or AMI).
HousingPlus remains tirelessly dedicated to ensuring more and more affordable housing is built in New York City. More affordable housing provides less pressure on the entire housing market, as it brings supply closer to demand. That is why we’ve partnered with organizations like Spatial Equity who are dedicated to making a substantive allocation of affordable units available to our clients.