Federal housing support includes housing assistance for renters, subsidized public housing, and a variety of housing support for the homeless. Households benefitting from rental assistance or public housing typically must meet certain income limits and pay rent equal to 30 percent of household income, the affordability benchmark established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

In 2024, there were 1 million New Yorkers benefitting from subsidized housing programs statewide, according to HUD.The three most significant programs were Housing Choice Vouchers, commonly referred to as “Section 8;” public housing and project-based Section 8. Housing Choice Vouchers are subsidies provided directly to the beneficiary, while project-based subsidies are tied to the unit or building. 

Based on average monthly HUD expenditures per unit, HUD subsidies totaled $10.1 billion for these households in 2024. This funding does not go through the State’s budget; rather, it is provided directly to households and landlords. Federal funding is instrumental in alleviating housing cost burdens in a state where 51 percent of renters were rent-burdened and 28 percent were severely rent-burdened in 2023. Severely rent burdened households pay gross rent in excess of 50 percent of household income.

Major Federal Housing Assistance Programs

Note: All Other programs include Project Rental Assistance Contracts, Moderate Rehabilitation Contracts, and Section 236 Preservation Programs.

Source: HUD, Picture of Subsidized Households