Many people want to live in Brooklyn but find the rent too expensive to consider.

However, New York City offers various housing assistance programs for low-income and moderate-income households, providing substantial help if you meet the criteria. The most notable program is the Housing Choice Voucher Program, commonly known as Section 8. This program is run by the federal government and applications can be submitted through the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA).

The basic principle of Section 8 is that beneficiaries live in private rental housing, while the government directly pays a portion of the rent to the landlord, and the tenant only pays about 30% of their income. For example, if the monthly rent is $2,000 and the assistance limit is $1,500, the tenant only needs to pay the remaining $500.

However, the long waiting list is a significant issue. According to NYCHA, the number of Section 8 applicants is in the tens of thousands, and it is not uncommon to wait over five years to actually receive a voucher. Applications can only be submitted during limited periods when the waiting list is open, so it is crucial to apply quickly when announcements are made.

Public housing directly operated by NYCHA is another option. In Brooklyn, there are several NYCHA developments, including Red Hook Houses, Marcy Houses, and Canarsie Houses. Public housing also has income requirements, and only households earning below a certain percentage of the Area Median Income (AMI) can apply. For a family of four in New York City, the AMI is about $120,000, and the eligibility criteria are typically set at 50-80% of the AMI.

There is also a separate affordable housing program for moderate-income households. The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) provides apartments at below-market rates through a lottery system on the NYC Housing Connect platform. Applicants who meet the income criteria can participate in the lottery, and if selected, they can move in at a significantly lower rent than the market rate. Affordable units are often included in new development projects throughout Brooklyn, so regularly checking the NYC Housing Connect site can help you seize opportunities.

There are also specific supports for low-income seniors. The Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) program allows low-income senior tenants aged 62 and older to be exempt from rent increases. Those who meet certain income criteria and live in rent-regulated apartments can apply. A similar program, the Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE), operates in the same way for individuals with disabilities. These programs can be applied for through the NYC Department of Finance, and assistance with applications can be obtained through Korean community organizations or legal service agencies. While these programs may seem complex, they are quite accessible once you understand them, so be sure to check if you qualify.