NYC Emergency Housing Vouchers Ending, Thousands Face Rent Crisis

Federally-funded program set to expire, leaving low-income residents struggling to afford housing

Mar. 25, 2026 at 5:38am

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The $5 billion federal Emergency Housing Voucher program, created in 2021 to help vulnerable populations cover rent during the COVID-19 crisis, is set to expire by the end of this year. This will impact over 16,000 people in New York City who rely on the vouchers, which typically cover around $1,900 in monthly rent. With no clear transition plan in place, many recipients fear they will face eviction and a return to housing instability.

Why it matters

The abrupt end to this critical housing assistance program highlights the precarious nature of support for those most in need. Without a clear plan to replace the lost rental subsidies, thousands of low-income New Yorkers, including youth, domestic violence survivors, and people living with HIV/AIDS, could face the threat of homelessness.

The details

The Emergency Housing Voucher program was initially intended to provide rental assistance until 2030, but the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced in March 2022 that it would stop funding the program. In New York City, NYCHA provides vouchers to over 5,200 households, while another 2,000 households receive them through the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). HPD plans to address the funding gap for two years through the Tenant-Based Rental Assistance program, using federal dollars. However, NYCHA has not established a firm plan to replace the lost rental subsidies.

  • The Emergency Housing Voucher program was created in 2021 during the COVID-19 crisis.
  • In March 2022, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced it would stop funding the program.
  • The program is set to expire by the end of 2023.

The players

Quiana Nichol

A 26-year-old resident of Elmhurst, New York, who has lived in an apartment with rent partially subsidized by an Emergency Housing Voucher for the past three years.

Lisa Bova-Hiatt

The chief of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), who spoke at a City Council budget hearing about the agency's efforts to find alternative funding for the Emergency Housing Voucher program.

Stephanie Rudolph

A staff attorney with The Legal Aid Society, who has been advising clients on the impending loss of their Emergency Housing Vouchers.

Gabriela Sandoval Requena

The vice president of external affairs at New Destiny Housing, an organization that has received a surge of messages from voucher holders trying to navigate the uncertainty.

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What they’re saying

“It just re-stressed me out. I got super anxious because that just reminded me of being on the street. It just had me rethinking my whole life, thinking, should I move or find something more affordable? Because without the voucher, honestly, afford to be here.”

— Quiana Nichol

“It didn't necessarily provide any concrete plan, so what I have just been telling my clients is to make sure that their house is in order. It's a really tough situation, and I've just told people to endeavor not to worry yet, but obviously there's not that much that folks can do in this moment, other than be aware.”

— Stephanie Rudolph, Staff Attorney, The Legal Aid Society

“It's a really tough situation, and I've just told people to endeavor not to worry yet, but obviously there's not that much that folks can do in this moment, other than be aware.”

— Stephanie Rudolph, Staff Attorney, The Legal Aid Society

What’s next

HPD plans to address the funding gap for two years through the Tenant-Based Rental Assistance program, utilizing federal dollars. However, NYCHA has not established a firm plan to replace the lost rental subsidies beyond that timeframe.

The takeaway

The impending end of the Emergency Housing Voucher program in New York City highlights the fragility of housing assistance for the most vulnerable populations. Without a clear transition plan, thousands of low-income residents face the prospect of eviction and a return to housing instability, underscoring the need for more robust and sustainable affordable housing solutions.