Rental Assistance and Home Modification

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Rental Assistance and Home Modification

New York City Resources

The following New York City programs are available to people with disabilities to assist with rent, small scale home modifications and advocacy/legal protection from housing discrimination based on disability. Programs are aimed at helping you stay in your current home, but since they are not inclusive, it is important to note eligibility criteria for each program.

For People with Disabilities


NYC Rent Freeze Program

The NYC Rent Freeze Program, which includes the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) Program and the Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) Program, helps those eligible stay in affordable housing by freezing their rent.

Visit the Freeze Your Rent website or call 311 (711 for deaf of hard of hearing) for eligibility, reports, and outreach event information for these programs.

Homebase

HomeBase is a homelessness prevention program administered by Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) in high-need neighborhoods. The CBOs provide casework services and also help individuals and families locate existing community-based resources such as job training, child care, and anti-eviction legal services.

You are strongly encouraged to call your nearest HomeBase location before visiting. Depending on your address and situation, you may be advised to go to a different HomeBase office in your borough.

Find a Homebase site.

Visit the Department of Human Resources Administration website of call 311 for more information about Homebase.

Human Rights Commission Project Equal Access

The NYC Human Rights Commission works with tenants with disabilities and landlords to find common ground regarding reasonable accommodation request as a means of averting a formal complaint process by the tenant. Contact the NYC Human Rights Commission for eligibility or call 718-722-3131.  

The Adele Friedman Housing Accessibility Fund

This home modification assistance program is operated by the Fair Housing Justice Center. Contact fhjc@fairhousingjustice.org or call 212-400-8201 for eligibility. 

Accessibility Upgrades Program

This program is operated by Rebuilding Together NYC. Call 718-488-8840 for eligibility.

Access to Home, Doorways to Independence Program

This program is operated by Adapt Community Network. Call 877-827-2666 for eligibility. 

For People Who Are or Have Been Homeless

Special Exit and Prevention Supplement (SEPS)

The Special Exit and Prevention Supplement (SEPS) program can help individual adults and adult families at risk of entry to shelter and those already in shelter to secure permanent housing. In order to be eligible, a household must be either residing in shelter or have resided before, include a survivor of domestic violence or have been evicted, or include a member with current/previous military service; have active public assistance case; not have an income exceeding 200% of the poverty level; and must secure a leasre for a residence within SEPS levels.

For more information, visit the Department of Human Resources Administration website.

  • Shelter residents should call Human Resources Administration: 929-221-0043
  • Non-shelter applicants should call Human Resources Administration: 929-221-7271 to be connected to a community-based organizations

Family Eviction Prevention Supplement (FEPS)

The Family Eviction Prevention Supplement (FEPS) can help eligible families with children at risk of entry to shelter to secure permanent housing. In order to be eligible, a household must have at least one child under 18 living at home, have an open public assistance case that is not in sanction status, have rent that exceeds public assistance allowance, be in housing court for nonpayment of rent, have a less, and agree to pay entire rent to their landlord.

For more information, contact the Department of Homeless Services Office of Client Resources: 212-232-0561 or FEPS@dhs.nyc.gov.

New York State Resources

The following New York State programs are linked to a specific medical condition or a subset of population with disabilities:

For People with Developmental Disabilities

Individual Supports and Services (ISS)

The New York State Office for People With Development Disabilities offers a wide array or services that allow an individual to remain in their home, apartment, or family care home. The goal of these supports and services is to help people with developmental disabilities lead richer lives.

Visit the Supports for Independent and Family Living website for more information or contact Front Door to determine eligibility or apply:

  • Manhattan: 646-766-3220
  • Brooklyn: 718-642-8576
  • Queens: 718-217-6485
  • Bronx: 718-430-0757
  • Staten Island: 718-982-1913
  • Long Island: 631-434-6000

For People Transitioning from Nursing Homes into Communities

Olmstead Housing Subsidy (OHS)

The New York State Department of Health (DOH) Olmstead Housing Subsidy (OHS) program provides a rental subsidy and transitional housing support services for high-need Medicaid beneficiaries.

For more information, contact:

  • Manhattan and Brooklyn: Nelina Bowan at the Center for Independence of the Disabled in New York (CIDNY), 212-674-2300
  • Bronx: Luz Cantres at Bronx Independent Living Services, 718-515-2800  

Nursing Home Transition and Diversion Waiver (NHTD)

The DOH Nursing Home Transition and Diversion (NHTD) waiver program uses Medicaid funding to provide supports and services to assist individuals with disabilities and seniors toward successful inclusion in the community.

For more information, contact the Staten Island Visiting Nurse Association at 718-816-3555.  

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Waiver

The DOH Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) waiver program provides services to persons with a TBI to live in the community setting of their choice.

For more information, contact the Staten Island Visiting Nurse Association at 718-816-3555.