Section 8 Program Update

During the current state of emergency for COVID-19, NYCHA continues to work closely with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to monitor the situation regarding novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and to adhere to any Executive Orders. Additionally, we are monitoring and adhering to all guidance issued by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).   

As the health and safety of our employees, property owners, and participants is our top priority, our walk-in centers will remain closed to the public while the City is under a state of emergency. However, the Owner Extranet and Self-Service Portal remain available for (1) online submission of requests and documents; (2) status updates; and (3) general case information. The Owner Extranet and Self-Service Portal can be accessed online via a smartphone, tablet, or computer. 

For your convenience, we created the below comprehensive update to outline how Section 8 processes are being managed at this time. 

Eligibility Interviews  
  • Eligibility interviews will be held over the phone.
  • If approved, the voucher can be downloaded from the Self-Service Portal at selfserve.nycha.info.
  • Voucher extensions will be granted automatically upon expiration of the voucher. 
Evictions 
  • NYCHA will not approve any Certifications for Basis of Eviction for nonpayment at this time. Reviews will resume on or about August 20, 2020.   
HQS Inspections  
  • NYCHA is not conducting HQS inspections until further notice. 
  • NYCHA will accept an owner’s certification for initial inspections (e.g., New Rentals, Transfers, and Restorations) and initial inspections that initially failed only for non-life-threatening conditions.   
  • NYCHA will temporarily accept, until further notice, an alternate form of verifying completed repairs for life-threatening (“24-hour”) HQS violations.  
  • Suspension timeline for non-life-threatening HQS violations has been extended until further notice.  

Please refer to the FAQs on Temporary Program Changes to HQS for answers to frequently asked questions. (View the FAQs in Español |中文 (繁體 / 简体) | Русский.)

Informal Conferences 
  • Informal conferences requested will be held over the phone. 
Lease Renewals & Contract Rent Changes 
Ownership Changes 
  • Ownership changes, including changes in address and direct deposit, can be submitted via the Owner Extranet, mail (address listed below), fax at 1-866-794-0744, and email at s8.vcu@nycha.nyc.gov.   
Reasonable Accommodations 
  • Reasonable accommodations can be requested via the Self-Service Portal (selfserve.nycha.info).  
  • NYCHA has provided all participants with an additional 30 days to submit any additional documentation required to review their reasonable accommodation requests. 
  • NYCHA will provide other accommodations, as required, to obtain documents by granting additional extensions of time to obtain supporting documentation or obtaining medical verification by email or by phone.  
  • To help expedite processing, NYCHA is not requiring any supporting documentation for the following accommodations:  Voucher Extensions and Requests for 5-borough or Portability Transfers (over 10 months after Lease Up date).   
Recertifications  
  • Loss of income can be reported via the Self-Service Portal (selfserve.nycha.info) or via the PO Box noted below for Annual Review (AOI) Documents. 
  • NYCHA will accept self-certification of income in the absence of pay stubs and/or employer letters. 
  • Annual and Interim Recertifications that result in an increase to the tenant rent share will be processed with a later effective date. This will prevent the immediate increase to households during this time period. 
Rental Package Returns  
  • Rental packages will be accepted via the mail (address listed below) or email at s8.rtu@nycha.nyc.gov
  • NYCHA will accept rental packages for Family Unification Program (FUP) youth up to the age of 26. 
Restoration Requests 
  • NYCHA will continue to process restoration requests. Requests can be sent via email to S8.info@nycha.nyc.gov
Transfer Requests  
  • Transfer requests are being processed. However, there will be a delay in receiving transfer vouchers in the mail. Please periodically check the Self-Service Portal, where you will be able to print vouchers, if possible. 
  • Voucher extensions will be automatic upon expiration of the voucher. 
Terminations 
  • Termination actions have been suspended while the City is under a state of emergency for at least 60 days. This timeframe will be evaluated as needed. This includes termination actions related to annual recertification, inspection, and fraud. 

Note: Please be aware that there may be delays in processing times, including printing and mailing of documents, during this state of emergency. Please visit the Self-Service Portal and Owner Extranet periodically for status updates and to print any needed documents. 

Questions? 

Please visit the Owner Extranet for information on inspection results, suspension status, the status of submitted certifications, and more. For urgent matters, you can contact us via email at s8.info@nycha.nyc.gov (please note that response times may be delayed due to increased volume).  

Mail-in options for Section 8 participants without internet access: 

Annual Review (AOI) Documents  PO Box 19196  
Long Island City, NY 11101‐9196 
Rental Transfer Documents  PO Box 19199  
Long Island City, NY 11101‐9199 
Letters or Questions  PO Box 19201  
Long Island City, NY 11101‐9201 
Portability Documents  PO Box 1631  
New York, NY 10008-1631 

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