Have an Expiring Emergency Housing Voucher? Here’s What You Can Do Next

Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs) are going to expire as of this year, December 31, 2026. As a part of Biden’s America Rescue Plan Act of 2021, these emergency vouchers were originally set to expire on September 30, 2030, however, “due to historic increases in rental pricing” HUD announced that funding will be cut by the end of the current fiscal year.

New York City contains at least 7,700 households that rely on their EHVs to afford rent. Without transitional aid, these households will become at-risk of homelessness, but there are options for EHV holders to transition to alternative rental assistance programs.

Searching for alternatives

HUD released a notice on June 20, 2025, that provided guidance on how PHAs (Public Housing Authorities) that receive EHV funding can transition EHV holders into the alternative HCV (Housing Choice Voucher) program. HCV, or individual Housing Choice Vouchers, funding is covered by a consolidated HCV Annual Contributions Contract between HUD (the federal government) and PHAs (the state municipality). Per the notice, to transition EHV holders over to the HCV program, Public Housing Authorities must provide clear information to households about the process for applying to the HCV waiting list (with a specially designated EHV preference group), the status of EHV funding, and why the Household is receiving this preference.

Public Housing Authorities that issue current EHVs

In NYC, there are 3 main PHAs that provide Emergency Housing Vouchers:

NYCHA (New York City Housing Authority)

HPD (Housing Preservation and Development)

DHCR (Department of Homes and Community Renewal)

It is important that you note which PHA issues your voucher in order to transition to alternative rental assistance programs before funding expires by the end of the year, if you currently hold an EHV.

What this means for current NYC EHV holders

Without transitional aid, you will no longer be receiving payments for rent after December 2026, and you will subsequently be charged full market rate for your current unit. It is highly imperative that you apply for transitional rental assistance through the PHA that issues your EHV. Note that each PHA will have different ways of applying/transitioning to other forms of rental assistance.

What should you do if you are an EHV recipient?

If you hold an EHV through NYCHA:

Complete a NYCHA public housing application via their Self-Service Portal here, and note the following requirements:

You must be current on your annual recertification paperwork

You must allow inspectors to conduct Housing Quality Standard inspections, and

You must provide timely responses to any NYCHA communication about your voucher or Household.

If you have an EHV through HPD:

Apply for the HOME Tenant-Based Rental Assistance program

According to HPD, you should have received a pre-filled application in the mail

Contact [email protected] if you need assistance with your application or if you have not received your pre-filled HOME TBRA application

If you have an EHV through DHCR:

Currently, no information has been listed publicly providing guidance on how to transition to an individual HCV. If you are receiving an EHV through DHCR, contact your HCR caseworker immediately. You may also want to update all relevant Household information via the HCR Section 8 portal here.