How to Apply for Section 8 in Rochester, NY

In the Rochester area, two main programs issue Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers: the Rochester Housing Authority (RHA) and NYS Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), which works through its local administrator, PathStone. Each keeps its own waitlist. Getting on one list does not put you on the other, so it pays to know how both work.

This guide covers where each list stands, how the last opening worked, who qualifies, how much rent a voucher can cover in Monroe County, and what you can do while you wait.

Rochester Section 8 waitlist status (November 2026)

• RHA Section 8 (Housing Choice Voucher): Closed. RHA's apply page says the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program "is currently closed." No new opening has been announced.
• NYS HCR Section 8 in Monroe County: HCR opens lists county by county. Check the MyHousing Portal (section8.hcr.ny.gov) to see which lists are taking applications.
• RHA public housing: This is a different program from Section 8. In late October 2026, RHA's apply page announced that its public housing waiting list for studio apartments would open on October 28, 2026 at noon. Its 2-, 3- and 4-bedroom public housing lists closed on March 3, 2025. Check the apply page for the current status before you apply.

Lists change fast. Always confirm on the official page before you apply.

How the Housing Choice Voucher program works

Section 8 is a federal HUD program run by local agencies. Here is the basic idea:

1. You get a voucher from a housing agency such as RHA or HCR.
2. You find a rental unit on the private market. The rent must be reasonable compared with similar units, and the unit must pass a safety inspection.
3. You pay part of the rent. HUD says your share is usually 30% of your adjusted monthly income and can be as high as 40%. RHA says families typically pay 30 to 40% of their monthly income for rent plus utilities.
4. The housing agency pays the rest straight to the landlord under a contract with the owner.

The voucher is tenant-based, which means it follows you, not the building. RHA notes that eligible families can "port" their voucher and move elsewhere in the country.

Option 1: Rochester Housing Authority (RHA)

• Section 8 office (Leasing Operations): 675 West Main Street, Rochester, NY 14611, 585-697-6105
• Hours: Monday–Thursday 8:30 AM–4:15 PM, Friday 8:30 AM–noon
• Website: rochesterhousing.org

How RHA's last Section 8 opening worked

RHA's last opening was online only. It opened at noon on May 23, 2024. RHA later extended the deadline to 4:00 PM on June 14, 2024. Before that, the list had last opened in 2019.

• Residents of Monroe, Wayne, Ontario, Orleans and Livingston counties could apply.
• RHA used a randomizing tool to pick 4,000 applicants for the waiting list.
• Applicants got a confirmation by email or text, and RHA said it would contact applicants about their status within 90 days.
• RHA gave 30 days' public notice before the list opened, which is what HUD requires.

When you reach the top of RHA's list, RHA asks for more eligibility information and you must attend a program briefing.

Option 2: NYS HCR through PathStone

NYS HCR runs a Section 8 program across the state through local administrators. HCR's local administrator for Monroe County is PathStone (585-343-3861).

• How to apply: When an HCR list opens for your county, apply online at the MyHousing Portal (section8.hcr.ny.gov) or on paper through the local administrator.
• No documents needed to apply. HCR says applicants using the portal do not have to upload any personal documents. You give your name, contact details, date of birth, income and assets, and a Social Security number if you have one.
• One application, many lists. Each head of household creates one application, and it can cover more than one list. If a new list opens later, you can add it to the application you already have.
• Finish in one sitting. You cannot save a half-done online application.
• Check your status: About 24 hours after you apply, you can register for the Applicant Portal with your confirmation code. You can also update your income or household there.
• Call center: 833-791-2748 (Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM; TTY 833-990-4002).

PathStone says all of its counties have long waiting lists and "it could be several years before vouchers become available." HCR also has Project-Based Vouchers, which are tied to specific buildings. Each building usually has its own list, and you apply through the local administrator for that county.

Who qualifies: Rochester-area income limits

Section 8 is generally for households at or below 50% of Area Median Income. RHA says families cannot go over 50% of the Rochester-area median income. HUD also requires each housing agency to give 75% of its new vouchers each year to extremely low-income families.

HUD FY2026 income limits, Rochester, NY MSA (Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans and Wayne counties; effective May 1, 2026):

Household size	Very low income (50%)	Extremely low income
1	$37,450	$22,500
2	$42,800	$25,700
3	$48,150	$28,900
4	$53,500	$33,000
5	$57,800	$38,680
6	$62,100	$44,360
7	$66,350	$50,040
8	$70,650	$55,720

Other rules also apply. At least one household member must be a U.S. citizen or have eligible immigration status, and RHA reviews the criminal background and past voucher history of adult household members. Read more in our Section 8 eligibility guide.

What rent a voucher can cover in Rochester

The most your voucher will pay depends on the housing authority's payment standard. Each housing authority sets its own payment standard, usually between 90% and 110% of HUD's Fair Market Rent (FMR). A payment standard is not a rent limit. It is the most the agency will pay toward rent and utilities.

HUD Fair Market Rents FY2027, effective Oct 1, 2026 — Rochester, NY MSA (includes Monroe County):

Unit size	Fair Market Rent
Studio	$1,005
1 bedroom	$1,131
2 bedrooms	$1,416
3 bedrooms	$1,706
4 bedrooms	$1,875

Ask RHA or PathStone for the current payment standard for the size and area you want. When you first rent with a voucher, your share cannot be more than 40% of your adjusted income. Try our Section 8 rent calculator to estimate your share.

Documents to get ready now

You usually do not need documents just to get on a list. But once you are selected, you will need to move fast. HUD lists these common items:

• Social Security cards for everyone in the household
• Proof of citizenship or eligible immigration status, such as birth certificates
• Proof of income, such as pay stubs or benefit letters
• Bank statements and other asset information
• Paperwork for any other public assistance you get

For RHA's 2024 online application, applicants needed names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, income and asset information for every household member. Keep copies in one folder so you are ready.

What happens after you're selected

1. You get a notice. The agency asks you for documents to check your eligibility.
2. Eligibility screening. The agency verifies your income, household and background. False information can make you ineligible.
3. Briefing. You attend a voucher briefing that explains the rules.
4. You get a voucher. HUD says the search time is 60 to 120 days, set by the housing agency. You can ask for an extension if you need more time.
5. Find a unit and pass inspection. The landlord agrees to rent to you, and the unit must pass inspection before assistance starts.
6. Lease up. You sign the lease, and the agency signs a payment contract with the landlord.

Once you have a voucher, you must recertify your income and household every year.

What to do while you wait

• Look at subsidized buildings. Some buildings in Rochester have their own project-based Section 8 or other HUD help, with rent based on income. See our list of Section 8 and subsidized housing in Rochester. Call each building to ask about its own waiting list.
• Consider public housing. RHA's public housing has separate lists. Apply online at rochesternyhousing.tenmast.com/apply (Spanish version available), or call 585-697-7180 ext. 105 to ask for a paper application. RHA's waitlist status line is 585-697-7574. RHA says a confirmation number is only a reference number. It does not mean you are on the list.
• Apply to other lists you qualify for. HUD says you do not have to live where you apply. But if you did not live there when you applied, the agency may require you to rent in its area for the first 12 months. See our guides for Syracuse, Buffalo, Albany, Schenectady & Troy and Long Island.
• Keep your contact information current. HUD warns that if your mailing address, phone or household size changes and you do not tell the agency, you can be removed from the list.
• Get free alerts. Sign up for VoucherHousing.org waitlist alerts, and check RHA's news page and the MyHousing Portal often.

Tips

1. When a list opens, apply online before the posted deadline. RHA's 2024 opening lasted about three weeks.
2. Apply to both RHA and HCR if both are open.
3. Applying is always free.

Avoid Section 8 scams

HCR says there is no cost to apply on the MyHousing Portal or on paper. HCR and its local administrators, including PathStone, say they will never ask a family to send payments directly to them for deposits, rent or other charges. Do not give personal information to anyone who promises a guaranteed spot on a list. If a message asks for your login or a payment, check with RHA, PathStone or HCR before you respond. VoucherHousing.org is an independent guide, not a government agency, and we never charge for help.

Your rights

Since 2019, the New York State Human Rights Law has protected renters across the state who pay with a Section 8 voucher or other lawful income, such as Social Security or child support. In most cases, landlords and brokers cannot legally refuse you because you use a voucher. There are limited exemptions, such as an owner-occupied two-family home or a room in the owner's own home.

The NYS Division of Human Rights gives examples of what may be illegal, such as ads that say "Working Section 8 only," going silent after learning about your voucher, or demanding income of more than 40 times the monthly rent. Keep notes and screenshots of your housing search.

• NYS Division of Human Rights: call (844) 697-3471 or report online at dhr.ny.gov/report. Its Section 8 Early Intervention Unit helps voucher holders quickly, often before a formal complaint, and aims to respond within two business days.
• New York Attorney General's office: 1-800-771-7755.

Related guides

• Section 8 and subsidized housing in Rochester
• How to Apply for Section 8 in New York State (2026)
• Open Section 8 Waiting Lists: How to Find Them
• Section 8 Eligibility: Who Qualifies
• Section 8 Rent Calculator
• How to Apply for Section 8 in Syracuse
• How to Apply for Section 8 in Buffalo, NY
• Section 8 and subsidized housing in Syracuse
• Section 8 and subsidized housing in Buffalo
• How to Apply for Section 8 on Long Island
• How to Apply for Section 8 in NYC: 2026 Complete Guide
• Your Rights as a NYC Voucher Holder: A Complete Guide
• How to Apply for Section 8 in Albany, Schenectady & Troy