Section 8 Apartments in Port Richmond
Port Richmond has growing Section 8 and CityFHEPS voucher housing in pre-war and mid-century apartment buildings. The neighborhood's diverse Latino, Liberian, and African American communities make it one of Staten Island's most accessible voucher destinations after St. George.
About Port Richmond
Port Richmond is on Staten Island's North Shore, west of St. George. The neighborhood centers on Port Richmond Avenue, a major commercial corridor. Historically Italian and Polish, today Port Richmond has substantial Mexican American, Liberian, and African American populations. Building stock mixes pre-war apartment buildings, smaller multi-family houses, and converted single-family homes. Some commercial buildings have residential units above storefronts. Faber Park and the surrounding residential blocks are popular family areas.
Available Apartments
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Browse all staten island listingsTransit Access
Port Richmond does not have a Staten Island Railway station, but is well-served by buses. The S40, S44, S46, S48, S53, S62, and S66 buses serve the neighborhood. The S46 connects to the St. George Ferry Terminal (about 15-20 minutes); the S62 provides additional service. Express buses (X1, X10, X12, X42) provide direct service to Manhattan during commute hours from nearby stops.
Voucher Housing in Port Richmond
Port Richmond voucher housing concentrates in pre-war apartment buildings along Port Richmond Avenue, Castleton Avenue, and Forest Avenue. Section 8 landlord acceptance is moderate; CityFHEPS acceptance has grown. Most Port Richmond voucher landlords are individual property owners rather than management companies. Studios typically run $1,200-$1,600; one-bedrooms $1,400-$1,800; two-bedrooms $1,600-$2,200; three-bedrooms $2,000-$2,600. Spanish-language services are available through El Centro del Inmigrante and other community organizations.
About Port Richmond
Port Richmond is on Staten Island''s North Shore, west of St. George along the Kill Van Kull waterway facing New Jersey. The population is approximately 40% Hispanic/Latino (predominantly Mexican American — one of the largest Mexican American communities in NYC), 27% Black (African American with substantial Liberian and Caribbean populations), 25% white, and 8% Asian or other. Port Richmond has historically been an Italian-American neighborhood; the late 20th and early 21st centuries brought substantial Mexican American immigration that has transformed the neighborhood. Median household income is approximately $48,000. About 67% of Port Richmond households rent. Roughly 1,800 Port Richmond households use Section 8 or other rental assistance.
Local Services & Resources
Major hospitals: Richmond University Medical Center (355 Bard Ave, West Brighton — nearest major hospital), Staten Island University Hospital - North (Ocean Breeze, accessible).
Community organizations: El Centro del Inmigrante (37 Port Richmond Ave — leading organization for the Staten Island Mexican American community, comprehensive Spanish-language services), Project Hospitality (food pantries and homelessness services, multiple Port Richmond locations), Northfield Community LDC, Faith United Methodist Church (sanctuary and immigrant services).
HRA services: Richmond Job Center (Bay St, near St. George — most Port Richmond residents travel here).
Libraries: Port Richmond Library (75 Bennett St).
Legal aid: Staten Island Legal Services (Legal Services NYC) — Port Richmond is one of their primary service areas. El Centro del Inmigrante also provides Spanish-language legal advocacy.
Parks, Museums & Cultural Sites
Faber Park (Faber St): Neighborhood park with playground, sports fields, and pool. Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden (1000 Richmond Terrace, adjacent to Port Richmond): 83-acre cultural complex with museums, gardens, and historic buildings. Bayonne Bridge (just north of Port Richmond): Architecturally significant bridge connecting Staten Island to Bayonne, NJ. Port Richmond Avenue: Major commercial corridor with Mexican-owned restaurants, grocers, and businesses — the heart of Staten Island''s Mexican American community. Veteran''s Park (Castleton Ave): Small neighborhood park. Reformed Church on Staten Island (54 Port Richmond Ave): Historic 17th-century church, one of the oldest religious congregations in NYC.
NYCHA Developments in Port Richmond
Major NYC Housing Authority developments in this neighborhood. Apply through the NYCHA Self-Service Portal at selfserve.nycha.info.
| Development | Neighborhood | Address | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mariners Harbor Houses | Mariners Harbor (near Port Richmond) | 30 Continental Pl | 605 |
| West Brighton Houses I | West Brighton (near Port Richmond) | 200 Henderson Ave | 488 |
| West Brighton Houses II | West Brighton (near Port Richmond) | 232 Henderson Ave | 165 |
History & Cultural Identity
Port Richmond developed in the 19th century as a small industrial and commercial center along the Kill Van Kull. Through the early 20th century it was a predominantly Italian-American and Polish-American neighborhood. Mid-20th century saw substantial African American settlement, and from the 1990s onward, large-scale Mexican American immigration has transformed Port Richmond into one of NYC''s largest Mexican American communities.
Port Richmond Avenue is the heart of this Mexican American community, with Mexican restaurants (including the renowned El Patron, La Mexicana, and many others), Mexican grocery stores, Spanish-language churches, and the comprehensive services of El Centro del Inmigrante. The community has been politically active in immigration rights and workers'' rights advocacy.
The Liberian community that began arriving in the 1990s also has substantial presence in Port Richmond and adjacent North Shore neighborhoods.
Schools
Port Richmond is within NYC DOE Community School District 31 (which covers all of Staten Island). North Shore schools serving Port Richmond include:
Notable schools: P.S. 20 Port Richmond, P.S. 19 The Curtis School, IS 51 Edwin Markham, Port Richmond High School (large neighborhood high school).
Many Port Richmond schools serve substantial Mexican American and immigrant families with bilingual Spanish/English support, ESL programs, universal free breakfast and lunch, and after-school programs through DYCD and community partners.
Voucher Landscape
Port Richmond has growing voucher housing inventory, particularly in:
- Pre-war apartment buildings along Port Richmond Avenue, Castleton Avenue, Forest Avenue, Bement Avenue
- Mid-century apartment buildings on the major corridors
- Converted single-family houses in the residential side streets
- Adjacent NYCHA developments in Mariners Harbor and West Brighton (Mariners Harbor Houses, West Brighton Houses I and II)
Section 8 acceptance is moderate; CityFHEPS landlord acceptance has grown since 2024.
Most Port Richmond voucher landlords are individual property owners (some Mexican American with multi-generational community ties), rather than large management companies. The neighborhood''s smaller scale and predominantly local landlords make landlord relationships particularly important.
Mexican American Community Context
For Mexican American voucher families, Port Richmond offers unparalleled cultural infrastructure on Staten Island:
- El Centro del Inmigrante: Comprehensive Spanish-language services including voucher applications, tenant advocacy, legal aid, education, and family services
- Mexican-owned businesses: Restaurants, grocers, bakeries, and shops along Port Richmond Avenue
- Spanish-language churches: Multiple Catholic and Pentecostal congregations
- Spanish-language media and community events
- Community organizing: Active advocacy on immigration, workers'' rights, and housing rights
Transit Reality
Port Richmond has unique transit characteristics — no Staten Island Railway service in the immediate area:
- S46 bus: Connects Port Richmond to the St. George Ferry Terminal (15-20 minutes), where you can transfer to the free Staten Island Ferry to Manhattan
- S44, S40, S48, S53, S62, S66 buses: Local Staten Island connections
- Express buses (X1, X10, X12, X42): Direct service to Manhattan during commute hours from nearby stops
For voucher families with Manhattan jobs, Port Richmond commutes are typically 50-65 minutes via bus plus ferry. The commute is longer than St. George (which has direct ferry access) but Port Richmond offers more housing inventory and a stronger Mexican American community.
Recent Development
Port Richmond has experienced moderate recent development:
- Bay Street Corridor Rezoning (nearby in St. George/Stapleton): Adds development capacity that may eventually affect Port Richmond
- El Centro del Inmigrante: Continues to expand services
- Affordable housing investments: HPD and community-based developers have invested in several Port Richmond buildings
Source-of-Income Enforcement
Port Richmond has lower documented source-of-income discrimination than higher-rent NYC neighborhoods, primarily because most landlords are small operators with longtime community ties. Where discrimination occurs, contact Staten Island Legal Services or El Centro del Inmigrante for free representation in Spanish.
Local Organizations
- El Centro del Inmigrante: Spanish-language comprehensive services — the most important resource for Mexican American voucher families in Staten Island
- Project Hospitality: Food pantries and homelessness services
- Northfield Community LDC: Community development
- Faith United Methodist Church: Sanctuary and immigrant services
- Staten Island Legal Services: Free housing legal aid
For broader Staten Island context, see our Staten Island borough guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I get to Manhattan from Port Richmond?
- Two main options: take the S46 bus to the St. George Ferry Terminal (15-20 minutes), then the free Staten Island Ferry to Manhattan (25 minutes). Or take an express bus (X1, X10, X12, X42) directly to Manhattan during commute hours. Total commute time is roughly 50-65 minutes via bus plus ferry.
- Are voucher services available in Spanish in Port Richmond?
- Yes. El Centro del Inmigrante on Port Richmond Avenue provides comprehensive Spanish-language services including voucher application assistance, tenant advocacy, and legal referrals. The organization has been a major resource for the neighborhood's growing Mexican American population.