Housing Assistance

NYC's Empty Homeless Family Apartments: What the City's New Plan Means for Families Seeking Housing Assistance

Hundreds of apartments set aside for homeless families have sat vacant for months in New York City. Here's what's changing — and how families across the country may be able to access emergency and transitional housing programs right now.

June 15, 2026·MSBy Michael Spitaleri, Editor-in-Chief·✓ Reviewed June 2026

Close-up of two people reviewing and filling out a credit card application on a wooden table.

Key Takeaways

✓New York City is rolling out a new placement process to reduce the time subsidized apartments for homeless families sit empty — some units have gone unoccupied for six months or more.
✓Federal housing assistance programs like HUD's Continuum of Care (CoC) and the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program may be available to low-income and homeless families nationwide, not just in NYC.
✓Most federal housing assistance programs target households earning at or below 30%–80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), depending on the specific program.
✓Applying for housing assistance typically requires documentation of income, household size, current housing situation, and identification — gathering these in advance can speed up the process.
✓Waitlists for housing vouchers can be long, but emergency shelter and transitional housing programs may offer faster pathways for families in crisis.

Informational guide only. Not affiliated with any government agency. Program details vary by state and change frequently. Verify eligibility directly with your local agency or at Benefits.gov.

NYC's Empty Apartments and What It Means for Homeless Families Nationwide

If you're a family experiencing homelessness or housing instability, the news out of New York City points to a real and persistent problem in housing assistance programs: apartments specifically set aside for homeless families have been sitting empty for months at a time, even as families remain in shelters. NYC's new plan aims to fix the bureaucratic bottlenecks that cause these delays — but the broader lesson applies everywhere. Understanding how housing assistance programs work, what documents you need, and where to apply may help you access stable housing faster, whether you're in New York or anywhere else in the country.

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Data Snapshot

According to HUD's 2023 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR), approximately 186,000 people in families with children experienced homelessness on a single night in January 2023 — representing roughly 34% of all people experiencing homelessness in the United States. HUD's Housing Choice Voucher program served approximately 2.3 million households in fiscal year 2023, with average annual federal outlays exceeding $30 billion (source: HUD.gov — https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/programs/hcv). Despite this scale, the National Low Income Housing Coalition estimates a shortage of more than 7 million affordable rental homes for extremely low-income renters — households earning at or below 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI). These numbers explain why vacant units in NYC represent a critical missed opportunity, and why knowing how to navigate the system matters so much.

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What Happened in NYC — and Why It Matters Beyond New York

According to Gothamist's reporting, apartments designated for homeless families through city-run programs have remained empty for months at a stretch. The core problem: a slow, fragmented referral and placement process that leaves units unoccupied while families wait in shelters. NYC's new plan focuses on streamlining how families are matched to available units, reducing administrative delays, and holding landlords and agencies accountable for faster turnaround.

This isn't unique to New York. Across the country, housing assistance programs — from HUD's Continuum of Care grants to state-run emergency housing vouchers — can face similar bottlenecks. Families who understand the system, have their documents ready, and know which agencies to contact are often better positioned to move through the process when a unit or voucher does become available.

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Federal Housing Programs That May Be Available to Homeless and Low-Income Families

HUD's Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)

The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program is the largest federal rental assistance program in the United States. It helps very low-income families, elderly individuals, and people with disabilities afford safe housing in the private market.

Who may be eligible: - Households with income generally at or below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for their area - HUD requires that at least 75% of new vouchers go to households at or below 30% of AMI - U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens

How it works: Your local Public Housing Authority (PHA) administers the program. You apply through your local PHA, and if approved, you receive a voucher that covers a portion of your rent — you pay the difference, typically no more than 30%–40% of your adjusted monthly income.

Realistic timeline: Waitlists are common and can range from months to several years. Some PHAs have closed waitlists entirely. Checking with your local PHA regularly and applying as soon as a waitlist opens is the most practical step you can take today.

HUD's Continuum of Care (CoC) Program

The Continuum of Care program funds local networks of organizations that provide transitional housing, rapid rehousing, and permanent supportive housing — primarily for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

Who may be eligible: - Families who are literally homeless (living in a shelter, on the street, or in a place not meant for human habitation) - Families at imminent risk of homelessness

How to access it: Contact your local CoC lead agency or call 211 (available in most states) to be connected to emergency shelter and housing resources in your area. The 211 network is one of the fastest ways to find what's available locally.

Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs)

Funded through the American Rescue Plan Act, Emergency Housing Vouchers were distributed to PHAs specifically to serve people experiencing homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, or at high risk of homelessness. While the initial allocation has been distributed, some PHAs may still have EHVs in circulation or have integrated them into their broader voucher programs.

HUD-VASH (for Veterans)

If you or a family member is a veteran experiencing homelessness, the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program combines rental assistance with VA supportive services. Contact your local VA Medical Center or call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988, then press 1.

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Step-by-Step: How to Apply for Housing Assistance

Step 1: Find Your Local Public Housing Authority

Go to HUD's PHA locator at https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/pha/contacts and search by state or zip code. Your local PHA manages both public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers.

Step 2: Check Waitlist Status

Call or visit your PHA's website to find out if their waitlist is open. If it's closed, ask when it's expected to reopen and whether there's a notification list you can join.

Step 3: Gather Your Documents

Having these ready before you apply can prevent delays:

Photo ID for all adult household members (driver's license, state ID, or passport)
Social Security cards or proof of Social Security numbers for all household members
Birth certificates for all children in the household
Proof of income — pay stubs (last 30–60 days), benefit award letters (SNAP, SSI, Social Security), or a letter from an employer
Proof of current address or documentation of homelessness (shelter letter, motel receipt, or a statement from someone you're staying with)
Immigration documents, if applicable
Rental history — landlord contact information for the past 2–3 years, if available

Step 4: Submit Your Application

Many PHAs now accept applications online, by mail, or in person. When you submit any form requesting contact, note that by providing your phone number or email, you may be consenting to be contacted by the agency regarding your application status.

Step 5: Respond Promptly to All Communications

One of the most common reasons families lose their place on a waitlist is failing to respond to a PHA's outreach within the required window — sometimes as short as 10–14 days. Keep your contact information updated with the PHA at all times.

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If You Need Help Right Now: Emergency Options

If your family needs shelter tonight or within the next few days, these are your fastest pathways:

Call 211: Available in most states, 211 connects you to local emergency shelters, food banks, and housing programs.
Contact your local CoC: Search for your local Continuum of Care at https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/comm_planning/coc
SNAP and Medicaid: If you're in a shelter or transitional housing, you may still be able to apply for food and healthcare assistance. These programs can provide stability while you wait for housing.
Community Action Agencies: Federally funded Community Action Agencies in your area may offer emergency rental assistance, utility help, and case management. Find yours at https://communityactionpartnership.com

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What NYC's New Plan Could Signal for Other Cities

NYC's effort to reduce the time vacant units sit empty is essentially an administrative reform — faster referrals, clearer accountability, and better coordination between shelter systems and housing programs. If it works, it's a model other cities may follow.

For families navigating these systems, the practical takeaway is this: the gap between an available unit and a family who needs it is often a paperwork and process problem, not a shortage of willingness. Staying organized, keeping documents current, and maintaining regular contact with your local PHA or CoC case manager may help you move more quickly when an opportunity opens.

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Sources & Further Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a Section 8 housing voucher?

Waitlist times vary widely by location — from several months in less competitive markets to 5–10 years in high-demand cities like New York, Los Angeles, or Boston. Some PHAs have closed their waitlists indefinitely. Checking with your local PHA regularly and applying to multiple PHAs in your region may improve your chances.

Can a family in a homeless shelter apply for Section 8?

Yes. Being in a homeless shelter does not disqualify you from applying for the Housing Choice Voucher program. In fact, some PHAs give preference to families experiencing homelessness. Contact your local PHA and ask whether they have a homeless preference category.

What income level qualifies for housing assistance?

Most federal housing programs target households earning at or below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI), with priority often given to those at or below 30% of AMI. AMI varies significantly by location, so the actual dollar threshold differs by city and county. Your local PHA can tell you the current limits for your area.

Are there housing programs specifically for families with children?

Yes. HUD's Family Unification Program (FUP) provides housing vouchers to families for whom lack of adequate housing is a primary factor in the separation or risk of separation of children from their families. Contact your local child welfare agency or PHA to ask whether FUP vouchers may be available in your area.

What if my local housing waitlist is closed?

If your local PHA's waitlist is closed, consider applying to PHAs in neighboring counties, contacting your local Continuum of Care for transitional housing, calling 211 for emergency shelter referrals, and asking local nonprofits about rapid rehousing programs, which can sometimes move faster than traditional voucher programs.

About the Author

Michael Spitaleri, Editor-in-Chief — Founder & Editor-in-Chief. Michael Spitaleri is the founder and editor-in-chief of Hardship Authority. He oversees all editorial content on the site, ensuring every article meets rigorous standards for accuracy, clarity, and practical usefulness before publication.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, financial, or benefits advice. Program eligibility and availability vary by state. Not affiliated with any government agency. Verify information with official sources including Benefits.gov, USDA, HUD, and your state program office.

housing assistanceSection 8Housing Choice Voucherhomeless familiesHUD programsContinuum of Careemergency housingNew York City housingaffordable housingtransitional housing

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