Section 8 Apartments in Riverdale

Transit Access

Riverdale is served by the 1 train (231st Street and 238th Street stations) and Metro-North's Hudson Line (Spuyten Duyvil and Riverdale stations, both with express service to Grand Central in 22-28 minutes). The Bx1, Bx2, Bx3, Bx7, Bx10, Bx20, Bx23, BxM1, BxM2, BxM3, BxM4, and BxM18 express buses serve the neighborhood. The Henry Hudson Bridge connects Riverdale to Manhattan's Inwood. BxM express buses provide direct service to Manhattan during commute hours.

Voucher Housing in Riverdale

Riverdale has limited Section 8 inventory due to higher rents. Some pre-war doorman buildings along Henry Hudson Parkway, Riverdale Avenue, and Post Road accept vouchers. CityFHEPS landlord acceptance is rare. Studios typically run $1,700-$2,100; one-bedrooms $1,900-$2,400; two-bedrooms $2,200-$2,900; three-bedrooms $2,700-$3,500. Most Riverdale voucher housing is in older buildings rather than newer luxury developments.

Local Services & Resources

Parks, Museums & Cultural Sites

NYCHA Developments in Riverdale

Major NYC Housing Authority developments in this neighborhood. Apply through the NYCHA Self-Service Portal at selfserve.nycha.info.

History & Voucher Demographics

Riverdale developed in the 19th century as a country estate area for wealthy New Yorkers, with large mansions overlooking the Hudson River. Through the 20th century, the neighborhood evolved to include substantial apartment building development alongside single-family homes, while retaining a more affluent and suburban character than most of the Bronx.

Riverdale has been home to a substantial Jewish community since the mid-20th century, with multiple synagogues, Jewish schools, and community organizations. The neighborhood is also home to Fieldston (a private gated community of upscale homes) and the prestigious private schools (Horace Mann, Riverdale Country, Fieldston/Ethical Culture).

Schools

Riverdale is primarily within NYC DOE Community School District 10, shared with Fordham and other West Bronx neighborhoods. Riverdale has notably high public school enrollment quality relative to the Bronx average.

Notable public schools: P.S. 81 Robert J. Christen, P.S. 24 Spuyten Duyvil, M.S. 141 Riverdale-Kingsbridge Academy, Bronx High School of Science (the specialized high school is nearby in Bedford Park, accessible from Riverdale).

Riverdale also has substantial private school options — Horace Mann, Riverdale Country School, and Ethical Culture Fieldston are three of NYC''s most prestigious K-12 private schools, all located in or adjacent to Riverdale.

Voucher Landscape

Riverdale has limited voucher housing compared to other Bronx neighborhoods because market rents are higher and many landlords are less voucher-experienced. Where voucher housing exists, it''s primarily in:

• Pre-war doorman buildings along Henry Hudson Parkway, Riverdale Avenue, Independence Avenue, and Post Road
• Mid-century rental buildings along the major corridors
• Marble Hill Houses (the major NYCHA development in the Marble Hill neighborhood, technically considered Manhattan but physically in the Bronx)
• Some Mitchell-Lama cooperatives in the area (with their own succession rules)

Distinctive feature: Riverdale Section 8 acceptance is rarer than in central or south Bronx. The federal payment standard often only partially covers Riverdale rents, leaving voucher holders with rent overage they must pay themselves. CityFHEPS landlord acceptance is also rare.

Marble Hill: A Unique Borough Edge Case

Marble Hill, just south of Riverdale, is physically attached to the Bronx mainland but legally part of Manhattan (a quirk of the 1895 Harlem River Ship Canal). The neighborhood is home to Marble Hill Houses, one of NYCHA''s significant developments at 1,635 units. Marble Hill is more affordable than Riverdale proper, with strong Section 8 acceptance.

Cost of Living Context

Riverdale rental market:

• Studios: typically $1,500-1,900
• One-bedrooms: typically $1,900-2,400
• Two-bedrooms: typically $2,200-2,900
• Three-bedrooms: typically $2,700-3,500

These rents are higher than other Bronx neighborhoods and often above voucher payment standards. The 2024 CityFHEPS payment standard increase has brought some Riverdale units within program reach.

Transit Advantages

Riverdale is one of only two Bronx neighborhoods with Metro-North service (the other is Fordham):

• Metro-North Hudson Line: Spuyten Duyvil and Riverdale stations provide 22-28 minute express service to Grand Central Terminal — substantially faster than the subway
• 1 train: 231st Street and 238th Street stations provide local subway service to Manhattan
• BxM express buses (BxM1, BxM2, BxM3, BxM4, BxM18): Direct service to Manhattan during commute hours

For voucher families with Manhattan jobs and stable income, Riverdale offers some of the fastest Bronx commute options.

Recent Development

Riverdale has experienced moderate recent development:

• Some new luxury rental buildings along Henry Hudson Parkway and Riverdale Avenue (generally not voucher-accepting)
• Continued limited single-family and small multi-family development
• Several preservation projects on older buildings

Source-of-Income Enforcement

Riverdale has documented source-of-income discrimination, particularly in newer luxury buildings and from larger management companies. The Fair Housing Justice Center has investigated Riverdale. Contact Bronx Legal Services for free representation.

Local Organizations

• Riverdale Y: Community center serving Jewish and general communities
• Riverdale Mental Health Association: Mental health services
• JASA: Services for older adults

For broader Bronx context, see our Bronx borough guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How affordable is Riverdale for voucher holders?

Riverdale is the most expensive Bronx neighborhood and has limited voucher inventory. The federal Section 8 payment standard often only partially covers Riverdale rents, leaving voucher holders with rent overage they must pay themselves. CityFHEPS and FHEPS landlord acceptance is rare in Riverdale.

What is Fieldston and can I rent there with a voucher?

Fieldston is a small private gated community within Riverdale with mostly single-family houses owned outright. Voucher rentals in Fieldston are extremely rare. The neighborhood adjacent to but outside Fieldston (Central Riverdale) has more apartment buildings and somewhat more voucher inventory.