How long is the waitlist for Section 8?

Varies wildly — from a few months in some markets to 5+ years in hot metros (LA, NYC, DC). Apply to multiple Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in your area. Some PHAs give preference to families with children, veterans, or homeless applicants.

211 is a free nationwide referral service operated by United Way and partners. Call or text 211 to reach a live specialist who connects you to local help with rent, utilities, food, childcare, employment, and more. Available 24/7 in most areas.

Can single dads get TANF?

Yes. TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is gender-neutral — any qualifying parent or caretaker with a dependent child in the home can apply. Benefit amounts and time limits vary by state. Work requirements apply after a brief grace period.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills. Apply through your state's LIHEAP office. Both annual assistance and emergency crisis payments are available. Don't wait until disconnection — apply at the start of the heating season.

Housing & Financial in New York

17 verified resources.

About Housing & Financial for Fathers

Housing and financial assistance for fathers comes through a combination of federal programs (HUD, SNAP, TANF, LIHEAP) and state/local efforts. Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing are administered by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) with long waitlists in most markets. Emergency shelter and rapid rehousing are funded through the federal Continuum of Care program — every region has a Coordinated Entry system that assesses and places homeless adults and families. Rental assistance, utility assistance (LIHEAP), and one-time emergency funds are available through community action agencies and 211 referral lines. Fathers with children in their custody may qualify for Section 8 family priority and TANF, though state rules vary. This directory covers PHAs, shelter systems, 211 call lines, and community action agencies that serve single dads.

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, New York Legal Assistance Group, and Legal Services NYC provide substantial family law aid.

17 Resources

1. NY OTDA — Public Assistance & Emergency Aid — Free

NY State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance administers cash assistance, SNAP, Medicaid, and emergency housing programs. Call (800) 342-3009 Mon–Fri 8am–5pm. Find your local social services district at otda.ny.gov. Bring ID, proof of income, and household documentation when visiting. Emergency assistance available for families facing eviction, utility shutoff, or immediate hardship.

(800) 342-3009 · 40 North Pearl Street, Albany, NY 12243 · Mon–Fri 8am–5pm · Visit Website

2. HEAP — Home Energy Assistance Program (NY) — Free

NY State program helping low-income households with heating and cooling energy costs. Administered by OTDA through local social services districts across all NY counties. Applications open seasonally — heating season typically begins in November. Call (800) 342-3009 to find your local district office. Income eligibility required. Emergency HEAP available for households with a heating crisis or utility shutoff notice.

(800) 342-3009 · Mon–Fri 8am–5pm · Visit Website

3. NYC HRA — Financial Assistance & Benefits — Free

NYC Human Resources Administration. Apply for cash assistance, emergency housing, SNAP, Medicaid, and utility assistance at nyc.gov/hra or via the MyBenefits portal 24/7. Call (718) 557-1399 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm. Bring ID, proof of income, and household documentation to apply. HRA operates over 30 service centers across all five boroughs for in-person applications and case reviews.

(718) 557-1399 · Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · Visit Website

4. ACCESS NYC — Benefits Screening Tool — Free

Official NYC tool to screen for 30+ city, state, and federal benefit programs including rent assistance, SNAP, childcare subsidies, healthcare, and utility help. Answer simple questions at access.nyc.gov to see what programs you may qualify for. Free to use 24/7. No login required. Helps NYC families identify all available benefits and links directly to each program's application portal.

Online 24/7 · Visit Website

5. The Bowery Mission — Emergency Services for Men (NYC) — Free

Since the 1870s, serving men and women experiencing homelessness and hunger in NYC. Emergency shelter, hot meals, clothing, and long-term residential recovery programs at 90 Lafayette Street. Call (212) 226-6214. Men's intake begins at 4pm daily. No appointment needed for emergency services. Long-term recovery program available for men seeking stable housing and sobriety. Free for all who come.

(212) 226-6214 · 90 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10013 · Daily; men's intake 4pm · Visit Website

6. Salvation Army Greater New York — Social Services — Free

38 community centers across Greater New York offering emergency financial assistance, shelter, food pantries, rental aid, utility help, and case management for families in crisis. Call (212) 337-7200 or locate the nearest center at easternusa.salvationarmy.org/greater-new-york. No income proof required for most emergency services. Spiritual and emotional support also available. Open Mon–Fri 8am–5pm.

(212) 337-7200 · 120 W 14th Street, New York, NY 10011 · Mon–Fri 8am–5pm · Visit Website

7. Catholic Charities of New York — Free

Emergency financial assistance, food pantries, housing counseling, and case management for families in need across NYC and the Archdiocese of New York. Services open to all regardless of religion. Located at 1011 First Avenue, New York. Call (212) 541-7800 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm. Provides rental assistance, utility aid, immigration services, mental health counseling, and refugee resettlement support.

(212) 541-7800 · 1011 First Avenue, New York, NY 10022 · Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · Visit Website

8. HUD-Approved Housing Counseling — NY Locator — Free

Find HUD-certified housing counselors in your NY county for rental assistance, foreclosure prevention, eviction help, and homebuyer education. All services are free or low cost. Search the locator at apps.hud.gov or call (800) 569-4287 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm. Counselors are certified and unbiased. Essential resource for fathers facing housing instability, eviction, or mortgage default in any NY county.

(800) 569-4287 · Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · Visit Website

9. NY OTDA — Homeless Housing & Assistance Program — Free

NY State capital grants program supporting non-profits acquiring or constructing housing for homeless and formerly homeless persons. Administered through OTDA's housing programs office in Albany. Call (518) 473-3086 Mon–Fri 8am–5pm for program information. Not a direct-service program — organizations seeking to develop supportive housing use this program to fund facility acquisition and construction.

(518) 473-3086 · Mon–Fri 8am–5pm · Visit Website

10. NYC DHS — Dept of Homeless Services — Free

NYC's homeless services agency operating 200+ shelters across all five boroughs. Adult men can walk in to the 30th Street Men's Intake Center at 400-430 E. 30th St. any time, 24/7. Families with children apply through the Family Intake Center (PATH). Call 311 for directions and shelter information. ID is not required to access emergency shelter. Case managers help with housing placement.

311 · 30th Street Intake: 400-430 E. 30th St., NYC · Intake 24/7 · Visit Website

11. CAMBA Housing — Brooklyn — Free

Major Brooklyn nonprofit providing emergency shelter, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, and financial empowerment services for families and individuals. Located at 1720 Church Ave., Brooklyn. Call (718) 287-2600 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm. CAMBA serves 65,000+ New Yorkers annually across housing, legal, healthcare, and education programs. Open to all regardless of background or income level.

(718) 287-2600 · 1720 Church Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11226 · Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · Visit Website

12. Volunteers of America — Greater NY Homeless Services — Free

Emergency shelter, transitional housing, and permanent housing programs for homeless individuals and families in NYC. Multiple programs serve men, families, and veterans. Located at 135 W. 50th St., New York. Call (212) 873-2600 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm. Programs include case management, job training, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment. Intake referrals available through 311 and NYC DHS.

(212) 873-2600 · 135 W. 50th St., New York, NY 10020 · Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · Visit Website

13. City Mission of Schenectady — Men's Shelter — Free

Emergency shelter, hot meals, case management, and recovery programs for homeless men in the Capital Region. Long-term residential recovery program available. Located at 425 Hamilton St., Schenectady. Call (518) 346-2275 for intake information. Walk-in intake available daily. Services include job readiness, life skills, and spiritual support. No fee for emergency shelter or recovery program participation.

(518) 346-2275 · 425 Hamilton St., Schenectady, NY 12305 · Intake daily · Visit Website

14. Rochester Housing Authority — Free

Public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) for low-income Rochester families. Manages 2,500+ affordable housing units across the city. Located at 675 W. Main St., Rochester. Call (585) 697-6000 Mon–Fri 8am–5pm to apply or check waitlist status. Bring income documentation and ID to application appointments. Waitlists open and close periodically — check their website for current availability.

(585) 697-6000 · 675 W. Main St., Rochester, NY 14611 · Mon–Fri 8am–5pm · Visit Website

15. NYCHA — NYC Housing Authority — Free

Largest public housing authority in North America managing 177,000 apartments across all five NYC boroughs. Apply for public housing and Section 8 housing choice vouchers through NYCHA's MyNYCHA portal or call (718) 707-7771 Mon–Fri 8am–5pm. Office at 90 Church St. Income guidelines apply. Section 8 waitlist opens periodically. Bring photo ID and household income documentation to apply.

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

16. St. Vincent de Paul — NY Emergency Assistance — Free

Catholic charitable society providing emergency rent, utility, and food assistance to anyone in need regardless of religion or background. Local conferences across NY help prevent eviction and utility shutoffs. Call (718) 797-2500 or find your nearest conference at svdpusa.org. Bring proof of need such as an eviction notice or utility bill. Assistance is typically provided within a few days of request.

(718) 797-2500 · Conferences statewide · Varies by local conference · Visit Website

17. NYS Homes & Community Renewal (HCR) — Free

NY State agency administering affordable housing programs, Section 8 vouchers, Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, and weatherization assistance statewide. Located at 641 Lexington Ave., New York. Call (866) 275-3427 Mon–Fri 9am–5pm. Find affordable housing listings, apply for weatherization, and access mortgage and rental assistance programs through hcr.ny.gov. Serves all 62 NY counties.

(866) 275-3427 · 641 Lexington Ave., New York, NY 10022 · Mon–Fri 9am–5pm · Visit Website

Housing & Financial — Common Questions

How long is the waitlist for Section 8?: Varies wildly — from a few months in some markets to 5+ years in hot metros (LA, NYC, DC). Apply to multiple Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in your area. Some PHAs give preference to families with children, veterans, or homeless applicants.
What does 211 do?: 211 is a free nationwide referral service operated by United Way and partners. Call or text 211 to reach a live specialist who connects you to local help with rent, utilities, food, childcare, employment, and more. Available 24/7 in most areas.
Can single dads get TANF?: Yes. TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is gender-neutral — any qualifying parent or caretaker with a dependent child in the home can apply. Benefit amounts and time limits vary by state. Work requirements apply after a brief grace period.
What's LIHEAP?: The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills. Apply through your state's LIHEAP office. Both annual assistance and emergency crisis payments are available. Don't wait until disconnection — apply at the start of the heating season.