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New York

All kinds of help

Housing

Help paying rent, finding a safe place to stay, and keeping the heat and power on. Your state and local housing authorities run rent help and housing vouchers. Your state also runs help with energy bills. If you have nowhere to stay tonight, call 211.Help in New York and from the federal government.

Ask about it

Tell us more about what you need. We answer first, then show the programs that fit, then ask a few questions to narrow it down.

Programs in New York

New York programs for this kind of help. Each agency decides who qualifies.

  • New York State Homes and Community Renewal

    Rental Assistance and Homelessness Prevention

    HCR offers housing programs and resources that may help renters facing housing costs or instability.

    Agency pageCall 866-275-3427

  • New York State Homes and Community Renewal

    Homeless Housing and Assistance Program

    HHAP funds local projects that provide housing and services to people who are homeless.

    Agency pageCall 866-275-3427

  • New York State Homes and Community Renewal

    State of New York Mortgage Agency

    SONYMA offers mortgage programs to help eligible New Yorkers buy a home.

    Agency pageCall 866-275-3427

  • New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

    Home Energy Assistance Program

    In New York, LIHEAP is called HEAP.

    HEAP helps eligible households pay heating and cooling costs.

    Ways to apply:OnlinePaperIn person

    Apply online Agency pageCall 800-342-3009

Checked on October 8, 2026

Community action agencies in New York

Local nonprofits that help people with low incomes. Many help with energy bills, rent, jobs and taxes. Call to ask what they offer now.

Federal programs

These work the same in every state. Each agency decides who qualifies.

  • U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

    Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)

    Help paying rent in a home you choose, for families with very low income, older adults and people with disabilities. Local housing authorities run it, and many have waiting lists.

    Apply through your local public housing authority. HUD lists every housing authority by state.

    Find your housing authority Official page

  • Federal Communications Commission

    Lifeline phone and internet discount

    A monthly discount on phone or internet service for households with low income or who get benefits like SNAP, Medicaid or SSI.

    Check if you qualify and apply on the National Verifier, then pick a phone or internet company that offers Lifeline.

    Apply on the National Verifier Official pageCall 1-800-234-9473

  • Federal Emergency Management Agency

    FEMA disaster assistance

    Help with a place to stay, repairs and other needs after a disaster the President has declared in your area.

    Apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, by phone, or in person at a Disaster Recovery Center.

    Apply on DisasterAssistance.gov Call 1-800-621-3362

Checked on October 9, 2026

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