$50 million. That is the first-year budget for New York State’s Housing Access Voucher Program, a state-funded alternative to Section 8 that officially launched on March 1, 2026. Over 125 vouchers had already been issued by launch day.
The program is a four-year pilot. It sunsets May 1, 2030 — unless the legislature renews it. Advocates originally asked for $250 million annually. They got 20 percent of that.
How It Works
Tenants pay up to 30 percent of their adjusted monthly income toward rent. The voucher covers the rest, up to between 90 and 120 percent of the HUD Fair Market Rent for the area.
For the Syracuse metro, that means a 2-bedroom voucher could cover rent up to approximately $1,585 per month (120 percent of the $1,321 FMR). For a tenant with zero income — and HAVP explicitly accepts zero-income applicants — the voucher covers the full amount.
Approximately 1,900 vouchers will be distributed statewide. $32.5 million (65 percent) goes to New York City, serving an estimated 900 to 1,100 households. The remaining $17.5 million covers every other county in the state, allocated proportionally to the number of households spending 50 percent or more of their income on rent.
Ten percent of each jurisdiction’s allocation covers administrative costs.
What Makes HAVP Different from Section 8
Federal Section 8 requires immigration background checks and can disqualify applicants with certain felony convictions. HAVP does neither. There is no criminal history screening and no immigration status requirement.
Section 8 is open to all qualifying low-income households, which means years-long waitlists. HAVP targets a narrower population — applicants must be homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness. At least 50 percent of program funding must support homeless families.
Section 8 vouchers are portable across state lines. HAVP vouchers cannot leave New York State, though holders can move within the state after one year.
A household cannot hold both Section 8 and HAVP simultaneously.
The income ceiling is 50 percent of Area Median Income. For a single person in the Syracuse metro, that is $36,250. For a family of four, $51,750.
How to Get a Voucher
Individuals cannot apply directly. Referrals come through the county Department of Social Services or an HCR-designated entity. For Onondaga County, that means going through Onondaga County DSS.
Outside of New York City, the program is administered by Homes and Community Renewal (HCR). The referral window for counties outside NYC was open briefly and is currently closed, per HCR’s website.
The Legislation
Senate Bill S72 was sponsored by Senator Brian Kavanagh, who chairs the Senate Housing Committee. The Assembly companion, A1704, was sponsored by Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal, who chairs the Assembly Housing Committee. Previous versions of the bill were introduced in 2019, 2021, and 2023 before finally passing as part of the SFY 2025-26 budget deal.
The original proposal was a two-year pilot. Budget negotiations extended it to four years.
State Senator Rachel May, representing the Syracuse area, called HAVP “a real win for the state.” Assembly Member Rosenthal acknowledged it “cannot make up for the future loss of vouchers, but we can still help a lot of people.”
What Landlords Need to Know
New York State law prohibits discrimination based on lawful source of income. That includes HAVP. A landlord cannot refuse a tenant because their rent is paid through this voucher program.
Syracuse Housing Authority Executive Director Bill Simmons has been identified as a likely local point of contact for landlord questions about the program, given SHA already administers federal Section 8 vouchers in the area.
The first public report on HAVP outcomes is due November 1, 2026. It will include funding allocations, number of applicants, number of active participants, and waitlist data.
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