Housing Help in New York

Written by: Jeneli Almonte; Lead Care Manager
Last updated: October 10, 2026
Read time: 6 min

Key points

In New York City Housing Court, tenants in every ZIP code can get a free lawyer or legal advice. That's according to New York City's Human Resources Administration (HRA).
The Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) can freeze your rent if you're 62 or older. You must rent a rent-regulated apartment in New York City. Your household must make $50,000 a year or less.
The Section 8 list at the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) is closed. NYCHA has paused new vouchers from it since August 1, 2025. You can still apply for public housing.
In New York, only a marshal, sheriff or constable can evict you. The landlord must win in court first, and you get a 14-day Notice of Eviction.

If you're new to this, start with how housing help works.

Falling behind on rent is frightening. In New York City, HRA can pay back rent in an emergency. Tenants in Housing Court can get a free lawyer, and SCRIE freezes rent for older tenants.

You may qualify for help if

You're behind on rent, or got a rent demand or court papers.
You're 62 or older, rent a rent-stabilized or rent-controlled apartment in New York City, and your household makes $50,000 or less.
You have Medicaid and screen as having a housing need.

Not sure you qualify? Apply anyway, because HRA or your county looks at each case on its own facts. If you would rather not do it alone, a Pair Team advocate can help you apply.

New York housing help at a glance

Help	Who it is for	How to start
Right to Counsel	New York City tenants in Housing Court or a NYCHA case	Say "I would like an attorney" at your first court date, or call Housing Court Answers at 718-557-1379
SCRIE rent freeze	62 or older, household income $50,000 or less, rent-regulated apartment, rent over one third of income	Apply online with the New York City Department of Finance, or call 311
One Shot Deal	New York City residents with an emergency, like back rent	ACCESS HRA online or an HRA Benefits Access Center. HRA Infoline: 718-557-1399
Homebase	New York City residents at risk of entering a shelter	Call 311 or use the Homebase locator
NYCHA public housing	Households with low incomes	Apply on ApplyNYCHA. Help: 718-707-7771
Social Care Networks	Medicaid members	Answer the questions at screening.shinny.org
Emergency Assistance	Outside New York City: people with eviction papers or no home	Your county department of social services
211	Outside New York City	Dial 211, or text your ZIP code to 898-211

How do I get a free lawyer in New York City Housing Court?

To get a free lawyer, say you would like an attorney at your first court date. New York City's Right to Counsel law covers every ZIP code, whatever your immigration status. Depending on your income, you get a lawyer for the whole case or free legal advice. Before court, call Housing Court Answers at 718-557-1379 or 212-962-4795, weekdays 9 to 5. Or call 311 and ask for the Tenant Helpline.

How does SCRIE freeze my rent?

SCRIE (Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption) freezes rent at your prior rent or one third of your monthly income, whichever is more. NYCHA apartments and apartments paid partly by Section 8 don't qualify. In Mitchell-Lama or Housing Development Fund Corporation (HDFC) housing, apply through the city's Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) instead. You must renew each time your benefit ends, and online renewal opens 60 days before.

What is an HRA One Shot Deal?

A One Shot Deal is emergency cash help from HRA, for example for back rent. HRA looks at your income, savings, why you fell behind, and whether you can pay rent from now on. You may have to pay some or all of it back. After you apply, you'll have an interview, so bring your lease, the landlord's rent bill and any court papers.

Can I still get Section 8 or NYCHA housing?

You can still apply for NYCHA public housing, and you don't need to send documents with your ApplyNYCHA application. Renew it every two years, or you lose your place. NYCHA's Section 8 list is closed and last opened for one week in June 2024. If you're on it, keep your details current at selfserve.nycha.info. For other city offices, see help in New York City.

Can Medicaid help with housing in New York?

In New York, nine Social Care Networks screen Medicaid members for housing and other needs, then connect them to help. Anyone with Medicaid can get help finding programs. Extra help, such as a deposit or up to six months of rent, is narrower. It's only for members of a Medicaid managed care plan, including managed long-term care, who fit a high-need group. Examples are frequent hospital stays or serious mental illness. This runs under a federal waiver through March 31, 2027, and New York asked to extend it on September 30, 2026. Ask your plan what you can get.

What if I live outside New York City?

Outside New York City, call your county department of social services. Emergency Assistance can help when your landlord has given you eviction papers. That's according to New York's Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA). If you get Supplemental Security Income (SSI), ask about Emergency Assistance to Adults. Outside the city, the court does not give you a lawyer, the state courts say, so call legal aid right away. LawHelpNY.org lists free legal help, and older adults can call NY Connects at 1-800-342-9871.

Your rights if you get eviction papers in New York

A rent demand comes first. The landlord must give you a written rent demand at least 14 days before starting a case for unpaid rent.
Papers are not an eviction. Rent demands and court papers mean a case is coming or has started, not that you must leave now.
Paying in full can end it. In a case for unpaid rent, you can pay all you owe before the marshal comes. The court must then usually cancel the eviction.
You can ask for time. A judge can pause an eviction for up to one year if moving would cause extreme hardship, like serious illness. You keep paying rent.
Your landlord can't lock you out. If you've lived there more than 30 days, changing your locks without a court order is a crime, so call 911.

What a Pair Team advocate does

In New York, a call about rent often comes with a Medicaid renewal or a heating bill. This is what we do:

Help you apply for a One Shot Deal or county Emergency Assistance.
Help you apply for SCRIE, and keep track of when to renew.
Get you to Housing Court Answers or legal aid before your court date.
Help with what usually comes with it: the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), Medicaid and rides. We also help with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), once called food stamps.

An advocate is covered by Medicare if you qualify. It takes two minutes to find out.

Check if you qualify for a Pair Team advocate

Frequently asked questions

Is there a rent freeze for people with a disability?

Yes, the Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) is a rent freeze like SCRIE. It's for people 18 and older who get SSI or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). A disability benefit from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) counts too. The household income limit is also $50,000.

My landlord will not make repairs. Who can help?

In New York City, call Housing Court Answers or 311 and ask for the Tenant Helpline.

I missed my court date. What now?

You can ask the judge to cancel the judgment and let you tell your side, the courts say. Ask the court clerk or legal aid for an Order to Show Cause.

What is Homebase?

Homebase is New York City's help for people close to losing their home. It can help stop an eviction and find emergency rent money, so call 311.

Does it cost money to apply to NYCHA?

No, never pay anyone to apply for public housing or Section 8, NYCHA says. Report scams to NYCHA's Inspector General at 212-306-3355.

Sources

About the author

Jeneli Almonte

Lead Care Manager

Jeneli Almonte is a Lead Care Manager at Pair Team. Since 2022, she has helped patients with benefits, housing and food.

Read bio