If you are facing eviction or struggling to pay rent in New York City, there are several emergency programs available to help you cover rent arrears or stabilize your housing situation.
Emergency Government Grants and Subsidies
HRA’s “One Shot Deal” Program
The HRA “One Shot Deal” is an emergency financial assistance grant provided by New York City’s Human Resources Administration (HRA). It is designed to offer one-time financial aid
to low-income New York residents experiencing an unexpected crisis; it is primarily used to pay rent arrears and prevent imminent eviction.
Key Eligibility Requirements
HRA evaluates applications on a case-by-case basis. To be approved, you generally must meet the following criteria:
Proof of crisis or financial hardship: You must demonstrate an uncontrollable or unexpected reason for falling behind on rent (e.g., sudden job loss, medical emergency, or reduced work hours).
Future ability to pay: You must demonstrate that you can pay rent on your own in the future. If your personal income is insufficient, you may use an outside guarantor (a friend, family member, or charity) who signs a commitment to help cover the difference in future rent payments.
Lack of other resources: You must not have sufficient personal savings or assets to resolve the crisis on your own.
Legally documented need: You must have an official rent demand letter from your landlord or active eviction documents from Housing Court. (Note: You do not need an active court case to apply for assistance; a formal demand letter suffices.)
Repayment Rules
Under New York State law, most recipients are required to repay the grant to the city within a specified timeframe.
The exception: If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) due to a disability or age, you are generally exempt from repayment.
Previous grants: Having received a “One Shot Deal” in the past does not automatically disqualify you; however, having outstanding or defaulted prior agreements may negatively affect your current application.
Step-by-step application process
The review process typically takes between 30 and 45 days. If the application is approved, the HRA sends the funds directly to the landlord or the court, not to you.
Step 1: Gather your documents
You will need your identification, the Social Security numbers of your household members, pay stubs covering at least the last 6 weeks, your lease agreement, a detailed monthly rent breakdown provided by your landlord, and any eviction notices or demands for payment.
Step 2: Submit the Application
The fastest and preferred way to apply is online via the ACCESS HRA portal or by downloading the ACCESS HRA mobile app. Alternatively, you can apply in person at a local HRA Benefits Access Center or at the HRA office located directly inside your borough’s Housing Court, if you have an active notice from a city marshal.
Step 3: Complete the mandatory interview
After submitting your application, you must complete an eligibility interview. You can start this process immediately by calling HRA at 718-557-1399 or 929-273-1872.
CityFHEPS and FHEPS
Both CityFHEPS and FHEPS are ongoing, long-term rental assistance voucher programs administered by the New York City Department of Social Services (DSS) and the Human Resources Administration (HRA). They are designed to help low-income families and individuals move out of homeless shelters or remain in their homes if facing eviction.
Although they serve a similar purpose, they differ significantly regarding eligibility requirements and funding sources.
How to apply
Unlike the “One Shot Deal” program, you cannot apply for a voucher directly online on your own. You must do so through an authorized social worker or case manager:
If you are currently in a shelter: Contact your assigned case manager or housing specialist to initiate the application.
If you are in the community (at risk of eviction): You must visit a local HRA Homebase center or call 311 to be assigned a prevention social worker, who will assess your situation and submit the application to DSS on your behalf. Local Eviction Prevention and Crisis Intervention Services
HRA Homebase Program
The HRA Homebase program is New York City’s primary network for homelessness prevention and eviction crisis intervention. Operated through a partnership between the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) and local community-based non-profit organizations, Homebase acts as a comprehensive support system to stabilize individuals and families within their own neighborhoods, thereby preventing the need to rely on the city’s shelter system.
Network Structure
Homebase operates through 26 local network offices distributed across the five boroughs. The specific location you are assigned to depends entirely on your residential ZIP code. Key, trusted community providers managing these locations include:
The Bronx: HELP USA and Catholic Charities (Blackrock Ave)
Brooklyn: RiseBoro Bushwick Homebase and CAMBA (Fulton St)
Queens: Catholic Charities (Jamaica Ave)
Staten Island: CAMBA (Stuyvesant Place)
Manhattan: Specialized HRA partner sites serving specific neighborhood districts.
How to apply for services and get started
Step 1: Locate your designated site
Since services are restricted by zip code, you must locate the specific office assigned to you. You can do this by calling 311 and asking for “Homebase,” or by using the digital map on ACCESS NYC.
Step 2: Schedule an appointment
Call your district office directly to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are sometimes accepted very early in the morning (usually before noon), but wait times can be long.
Step 3: Gather your documents
When meeting with your caseworker, bring official identification (for adults), proof of income (pay stubs or benefit award letters), a copy of your lease, recent utility bills, and any rent demand notices or court papers, if you have them. Note: If you are missing any documents, Homebase will still evaluate your case; do not let a lack of documentation stop you from going.
Coalition for the Homeless
The Coalition for the Homeless is the nation’s oldest advocacy and direct-service organization dedicated to helping homeless individuals and families in New York City.
For New Yorkers facing imminent eviction, their most important resource is the Eviction Prevention Program, which offers emergency financial assistance (one-time payments) to help low-income tenants clear rent arrears and remain in their homes.
How to request eviction prevention assistance
Since funds are limited, the Coalition uses a rigorous intake process to evaluate applications.
Call the helpline first: You cannot visit their offices to request rental assistance without an appointment. You must call the eviction prevention hotline at 212-776-2039.
Plan your call: The hotline opens promptly on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. Slots fill up incredibly fast—often within the first 15 to 30 minutes—so you should start calling exactly at 9:30 a.m.
Prepare your case documentation: If selected for an initial assessment appointment, you will need to present your lease agreement, a detailed rent breakdown provided by your landlord, court notices or demands for payment, and concrete proof of regular income (pay stubs, SSI, or public assistance documentation).
Catholic Charities of New York
Catholic Charities of New York serves as a vital local safety net, providing emergency rent assistance, eviction prevention, and crisis intervention. They serve all New Yorkers in need, regardless of religious affiliation.
Since New York City is divided into different archdioceses, their housing services are managed by two separate organizations, depending entirely on the borough where you reside. Both operate local branches and collaborate with the city’s Homebase network to administer emergency grants and rent vouchers.
How to get help
Call the central helpline first: Instead of going directly to a local parish or neighborhood office, call the main helpline for your borough (888-744-7900 for Manhattan/Bronx or 718-722-6000 for Brooklyn/Queens). A representative will assess your crisis situation and refer you to the nearest neighborhood family center.
Be prepared for wait times: Due to high local demand, phone lines and return calls may experience delays. If you have an upcoming court hearing or an imminent eviction notice from the marshal, emphasize the legal urgency immediately when speaking with intake staff.
Bring complete documentation: When your appointment is scheduled, you will need to present a formal lease agreement, a detailed monthly rent breakdown issued by your landlord, proof of household income or current public benefits, and documents related to the eviction.
Legal Representation
Right to Counsel
Right to Counsel (RTC) is a New York City law that provides free legal representation to low-income tenants facing eviction in housing court or at administrative hearings. Under this program, legal services are provided by experienced, independent non-profit legal organizations, not by city government attorneys.
Step-by-step guide to obtaining a free lawyer
If your landlord initiates formal legal proceedings against you, follow these steps to secure legal representation:
Step 1: Review the court documents
When you receive the Notice of Petition and the Petition (the official court documents), carefully examine the case number and the address of the housing court for the indicated borough.
Step 2: Contact the Tenant Helpline Immediately
Do not wait until your scheduled court hearing date to seek help. Call 311 and explicitly ask for the “Tenant Helpline” to speak with a specialist who will assign your case and neighborhood to the appropriate provider. Alternatively, you can call the Housing Court Answers hotline at 212-962-4795.
Step 3: Contact the assigned legal service provider
The helpline will refer you to one of the city-contracted legal service groups covering your borough, such as The Legal Aid Society, Legal Services NYC (LSNYC), or the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG).
Step 4: Request legal representation in the courtroom
If you were unable to secure a lawyer before your hearing date, attend the hearing anyway. When the judge calls your case, clearly state: “I am requesting an adjournment to seek a lawyer under the Right to Counsel program.”
