Is the Nassau County Section 8 waiting list open?

Its last posted opening was an online lottery in June–July 2021. No newer opening is posted, so check the Nassau County Office of Housing website and call 516-572-1922.

How do I apply for Section 8 in Suffolk County?

Watch the NYS HCR MyHousing Portal (section8.hcr.ny.gov), whose Long Island administrator is CDLI, and the town housing agencies such as Islip and Babylon.

Can a Long Island landlord refuse Section 8?

Generally no. New York State law has banned source-of-income discrimination statewide since 2019, with limited exemptions.

How to Apply for Section 8 on Long Island (2026)

Long Island has several Section 8 agencies, each with its own waitlist. Here is who runs vouchers in Nassau and Suffolk and how to apply when a list opens.

There is no single Section 8 office for Long Island. Nassau and Suffolk have several agencies, and each keeps its own waitlist. Lists open rarely, usually for a short online window followed by a lottery, so the key is knowing where to watch.

Nassau County

Nassau County Office of Housing (Section 8): 516-572-1922. Its last posted opening was an online lottery in June–July 2021. No newer opening is posted, so treat the list as closed and check its website for announcements.

Town agencies

Town of Islip Housing Authority: runs Section 8 for Islip. See isliphousing.org for its office, phone and waitlist status.
Town of Babylon Housing Assistance Agency: not accepting new applications. It is serving its existing list and will advertise when it reopens. 631-893-1040.

Other towns and cities, such as Hempstead, Huntington, Long Beach and Glen Cove, have their own housing authorities. Contact each one directly for its waitlist status.

NYS HCR (Nassau and Suffolk)

NYS Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) also runs a Section 8 program across the state through local administrators. When an HCR waitlist opens for your county, you can apply online at the MyHousing Portal (section8.hcr.ny.gov) or on paper through the local administrator. No documents are needed to apply, and the local administrator contacts you when assistance is available. HCR's Section 8 call center is 833-791-2748 (Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM; TTY 833-990-4002). On Long Island, HCR's local administrator is Community Development Long Island (CDLI), 631-471-1215.

Who qualifies

Section 8 is generally for households earning at or below 50% of Area Median Income for the Nassau-Suffolk area. Check each agency's current income table before applying.

Tips for getting on a list

Apply to every list you are eligible for. Each agency's lottery is separate.
Keep your email, phone and mailing address current with every agency.
Applying is always free. Never pay anyone to apply or to move you up a list.

Your rights

Since 2019, the New York State Human Rights Law bans landlords across the state from refusing you because you pay with a Section 8 voucher or other lawful income. There are limited exemptions, such as an owner-occupied two-family home or a room in the owner's own home. To report discrimination, call the NYS Division of Human Rights at (844) 697-3471 or the New York Attorney General's office at 1-800-771-7755.

How to Apply for Section 8 on Long Island (Nassau & Suffolk)

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