Best Housing & Financial in New York — 16 resources

About Housing & Financial for Women

Housing and financial assistance for women combines federal programs (HUD, TANF, SNAP, LIHEAP) with state and local efforts. Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing are administered by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), with VAWA giving survivors of domestic violence priority and emergency transfer rights. Emergency shelter and rapid rehousing run through HUD's Continuum of Care and Coordinated Entry. Mothers with custodial children typically qualify for TANF cash assistance and family-priority housing. Community action agencies and 211 lines coordinate utility help, emergency funds, and rent assistance. This directory covers PHAs, shelter systems, 211 referral lines, and community action agencies.

Housing & Financial in New York

New York has separate Family Court (for custody, support, paternity, DV) and Supreme Court (for divorce) systems. NYC's Family Court operates in all five boroughs. The Office of Child Support Services runs enforcement. NYC, Buffalo, Rochester, Yonkers, and Syracuse are the major metros. Legal Aid Society of NYC, Sanctuary for Families, NYLAG, and the NYS Coalition Against Domestic Violence serve women.

16 Resources

1. New York State Homes & Community Renewal — Free

Based in New York, New York State Homes & Community Renewal supports New York women navigating rental assistance, utility help, emergency funds, and housing stability. Contact (866) 275-3427 to ask about appointments, documents to bring, and waitlist status. Available Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; the team can answer questions about documents and timing. Free of charge for women meeting income or program eligibility.

(866) 275-3427 · 25 Beaver St, New York, NY 10004 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

2. NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA) — Free

NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA) is the go-to housing and financial resource in the New York area for rental assistance, utility help, emergency funds, and housing stability. Reach the team at (718) 707-7771 to schedule a screening. Service hours run Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; ask about after-hours options if needed. No fee for eligible women, with intake handled confidentially.

(718) 707-7771 · 90 Church St, New York, NY 10007 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. NYC Emergency Rental Assistance — Free

NYC Emergency Rental Assistance serves women in New York and surrounding New York communities with rental assistance, utility help, emergency funds, and housing stability. Reach the team at (844) 691-7368 to schedule a screening. Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm — confirm by phone before driving in. Services are offered at no cost to women who meet program criteria.

(844) 691-7368 · NYC service · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

4. Win (Women in Need) — NYC — Free

Win (Women in Need) — NYC serves women in Brooklyn and surrounding New York communities with rental assistance, utility help, emergency funds, and housing stability. Contact (212) 695-4758 to ask about appointments, documents to bring, and waitlist status. Service hours run Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; ask about after-hours options if needed. Free for qualifying New York mothers and their children.

(212) 695-4758 · 44 Court St 11th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Catholic Charities NY — Emergency Aid — Free

Catholic Charities NY — Emergency Aid serves women in New York and surrounding New York communities with rental assistance, utility help, emergency funds, and housing stability. Phone (212) 371-1011 for case-by-case eligibility, current openings, and next steps. Available Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; the team can answer questions about documents and timing. Services are offered at no cost to women who meet program criteria.

(212) 371-1011 · 1011 First Ave, New York, NY 10022 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Salvation Army New York — Emergency Assistance — Free

Salvation Army New York — Emergency Assistance serves women in New York and surrounding New York communities with rental assistance, utility help, emergency funds, and housing stability. Contact (800) 725-2769 to ask about appointments, documents to bring, and waitlist status. Open Mon-Fri 9am-4pm — confirm by phone before driving in. Free of charge for women meeting income or program eligibility.

(800) 725-2769 · Multiple locations statewide · Mon-Fri 9am-4pm · Visit Website

7. Habitat for Humanity NYC — Free

Habitat for Humanity NYC is the go-to housing and financial resource in the New York area for rental assistance, utility help, emergency funds, and housing stability. Reach the team at (212) 991-4000 to schedule a screening. Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm — confirm by phone before driving in. Free for qualifying New York mothers and their children.

(212) 991-4000 · 111 John St 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10038 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

8. United Way of NYC — Financial Stability — Free

Based in New York, United Way of NYC — Financial Stability supports New York women navigating rental assistance, utility help, emergency funds, and housing stability. Dial 211 from anywhere in New York for a free routing to local services. Available 24/7 via 211; the team can answer questions about documents and timing. Free of charge for women meeting income or program eligibility.

211 · NYC service · 24/7 via 211 · Visit Website

9. HUD.gov — Find Local Office — Free

Federal housing assistance hub. Section 8, public housing, homeless services, and HUD office locator for every state for low-income women and families. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for low-income women and families who need vetted, plain-language information on rental assistance, emergency shelter referrals, utility help, and housing search support. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. HUD Homeless Resources — Free

Federal homeless assistance programs and Continuum of Care contacts in every community for low-income women and families. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for low-income women and families who need vetted, plain-language information on rental assistance, emergency shelter referrals, utility help, and housing search support. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. LIHEAP — Energy Assistance — Free

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program — help with heating, cooling, and weatherization in every state for low-income women and families. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for low-income women and families who need vetted, plain-language information on rental assistance, emergency shelter referrals, utility help, and housing search support. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. Salvation Army — Find Help — Free

Emergency shelter, rent assistance, food, utilities, and transitional housing in nearly every US community for low-income women and families. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for low-income women and families who need vetted, plain-language information on rental assistance, emergency shelter referrals, utility help, and housing search support. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. Catholic Charities USA — Free

Emergency assistance, housing, food, and family support — local agency in nearly every diocese nationwide. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for low-income women and families who need vetted, plain-language information on rental assistance, emergency shelter referrals, utility help, and housing search support. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. United Way Worldwide — Free

Local United Ways provide housing assistance, food, financial coaching and 211 referrals for low-income women and families. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for low-income women and families who need vetted, plain-language information on rental assistance, emergency shelter referrals, utility help, and housing search support. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. Habitat for Humanity — Free

Affordable homeownership opportunities for working families in every state. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for low-income women and families who need vetted, plain-language information on rental assistance, emergency shelter referrals, utility help, and housing search support. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. Family Promise — Free

National network helping homeless families achieve sustainable independence through community-based programs. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for low-income women and families who need vetted, plain-language information on rental assistance, emergency shelter referrals, utility help, and housing search support. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many housing & financial resources are in New York?
Women's Corner tracks 16 housing & financial resources for women in New York.
Are housing & financial resources in New York free?
16 of the 16 listed housing & financial resources in New York are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in New York have housing & financial resources?
Listings span cities including New York, Brooklyn.
What are some examples of housing & financial resources in New York?
Featured entries include New York State Homes & Community Renewal, NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA), NYC Emergency Rental Assistance, Win (Women in Need) — NYC, Catholic Charities NY — Emergency Aid.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
8 of 16 New York housing & financial listings include phone numbers.
How long is the Section 8 waitlist?
It varies wildly — a few months in smaller markets, 5+ years in cities like LA, NYC, and DC. Apply to multiple Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in your region. PHAs give preference to families with children, domestic violence survivors, veterans, and homeless applicants — make sure you check every preference box you qualify for.
What does 211 do?
211 is a free, 24/7 nationwide referral line run by United Way. Call or text 211 to reach a live specialist who connects you to local rent assistance, utility help, food, childcare, transportation, and emergency funds. They know the small local funds Google won't show you. Always start here in a financial emergency.
Can I get TANF as a single mother?
Yes — TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is the main cash assistance program for low-income parents with minor children. Apply through your state's Department of Human/Social Services. Benefits, time limits, and work requirements vary by state. You can receive TANF and SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, and childcare assistance simultaneously.
What if I'm being evicted?
Call 211 and your local legal aid office the same day you're served — most states have Emergency Rental Assistance programs through the LIHEAP/ERA pipeline that can pay back rent. You have the right to a court hearing before eviction — don't move out before the hearing. DV survivors have additional protections under VAWA that block eviction based on the abuse.