Section 8 Apartments in Queens

Subsidized & affordable housing in Queens

93 buildings · 21,205 apartments

• 15 Project-based Section 8
• 24 Senior 62+ (Section 202)
• 3 Disability (Section 811)
• 12 Public housing
• 39 Tax-credit

Neighborhoods in Queens

Transit Access

Queens' subway coverage is concentrated in western and central Queens. The 7 train runs to Flushing through Jackson Heights and Corona. The E, F, M, R, J, and Z trains serve different parts of central Queens including Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, and Jamaica. The N/W trains serve Astoria. The A train runs to Far Rockaway and Howard Beach (long ride to Manhattan). The LIRR serves Jamaica, Flushing, Forest Hills, and many other stations — important for east Queens neighborhoods without subway access. AirTrain connects Jamaica to JFK Airport. Many Queens neighborhoods rely on extensive bus networks; key routes include the Q44 SBS (Flushing-Bronx), Q53 SBS (Woodside-Rockaway), and many local lines.

Voucher Housing in Queens

Queens has growing voucher landlord acceptance, particularly in Jamaica, Far Rockaway, Flushing, and Corona. Section 8 is the most common; CityFHEPS and FHEPS have substantial inventory in southeast Queens. NYCHA operates major Queens developments including Queensbridge Houses (the largest single public housing development in North America, 3,100+ apartments), Astoria Houses, Pomonok Houses (Flushing), Ravenswood Houses (Long Island City), and the Far Rockaway developments. Many Queens voucher landlords are individual owners of small two- and three-family houses.

Local Services & Resources

Parks, Museums & Cultural Sites

NYCHA Developments in Queens

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

Schools

Queens public schools span community school districts:

• District 24: Corona, Elmhurst, Maspeth — one of the most overcrowded in NYC due to immigrant population growth; substantial dual-language Spanish/English and Chinese programs
• District 25: Flushing, College Point, Bayside — large Asian student population, multiple specialized programs
• District 26: Bayside, Glen Oaks, Little Neck — historically high-performing district
• District 27: Far Rockaway, Howard Beach, Rockaway Beach — substantial voucher and Section 8 families
• District 28: Forest Hills, Jamaica, South Ozone Park — very diverse demographically and socioeconomically
• District 29: Cambria Heights, Hollis, Queens Village, St. Albans — predominantly Black community
• District 30: Astoria, Long Island City, Sunnyside, Woodside, Jackson Heights — extraordinary linguistic diversity, multiple dual-language programs

Many Queens schools serve substantial voucher and Section 8 families. Free breakfast and lunch (universal in NYC), after-school programs through DYCD, and Title I funding support low-income students.

Queens has substantial language access in schools — translated materials, interpreters at parent-teacher conferences, and dual-language programs in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Bengali, and other languages. The NYC Department of Education parent support hotline handles non-English calls.

For high school, Queens students apply through the centralized NYC high school process. Queens specialized high schools include Queens High School for Sciences at York College (SHSAT) and the High School for Art and Design (Manhattan, audition-based).

What Your Voucher Covers

Voucher rent limits are set by each program, not by neighborhood. For new leases in 2026, CityFHEPS and NYCHA Section 8 cover rents up to $2,604 for a studio, $2,734 for a 1-bedroom, $2,997 for a 2-bedroom and $3,753 for a 3-bedroom, with all utilities included. HPD Section 8 sets its own payment standards. Rents vary widely from building to building, so check each apartment's rent against your shopping letter or voucher before you apply. Our CityFHEPS voucher amounts guide has the full 2026 table.

Language Access

Queens has the strongest multi-language voucher and housing services infrastructure of any NYC borough. Services available in:

• Spanish: Catholic Migration Services, Make the Road New York, NYIC, Catholic Charities
• Bengali, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi: Chhaya CDC, the Indian American Forum, Council of Peoples Organization
• Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean: MinKwon Center, Chinese American Planning Council, Asian American Federation
• Russian, Ukrainian: Russian Speaking Community Council
• Tibetan, Nepali: Multiple community organizations in Jackson Heights
• Greek: HANAC (Hellenic American Neighborhood Action Committee)
• Tagalog (Filipino): Multiple Woodside-based organizations
• Arabic: Several Astoria-based organizations serving the Egyptian and Lebanese communities

Many NYC HRA offices in Queens have on-site bilingual staff, and translation services are available by phone for all government agencies.

Source-of-Income Discrimination Enforcement

Queens has documented source-of-income discrimination, particularly in larger Astoria, Long Island City, and Forest Hills luxury rentals. The Fair Housing Justice Center has conducted testing in Queens. Recent settlements have included Queens management companies in Astoria, Long Island City, and Flushing.

Voucher families seeking housing in higher-rent Queens neighborhoods (LIC, Astoria, Forest Hills) often face more discrimination than those seeking housing in voucher-friendly neighborhoods (Jamaica, Far Rockaway). Document discrimination and file with NYC CCHR or contact Queens Legal Services for help.

Recent Housing Policy

Queens-specific housing policy developments:

• Queensbridge Houses (Long Island City): NYCHA''s largest single development, ongoing modernization and resident services investments
• Far Rockaway redevelopment (post-Hurricane Sandy): Substantial resilience and renewal investment, including Ocean Bay Apartments PACT conversion
• Jamaica Now Action Plan: NYC investment in Jamaica neighborhood including affordable housing development and transit improvements
• 2024 CityFHEPS expansion: Brought CityFHEPS payment standards in line with Section 8

Neighborhood-Specific Considerations

Queens'' major voucher-friendly neighborhoods:

• Jamaica: Highest concentration of voucher housing in Queens with major transit hub. See our Jamaica guide.
• Far Rockaway: Substantial inventory in larger apartment buildings; A train and LIRR access. See our Far Rockaway guide.
• Astoria: Pre-war apartment buildings with growing voucher acceptance; fast Manhattan commute. See our Astoria guide.
• Flushing: Residential blocks around downtown Flushing; strong East Asian community services. See our Flushing guide.

Other Queens neighborhoods with notable voucher inventory: Long Island City (Queensbridge and Ravenswood NYCHA), South Jamaica (NYCHA developments), Rockaway Beach (NYCHA and pre-war), St. Albans and Hollis (small landlord rentals), Woodside (Woodside Houses NYCHA).

Using CityFHEPS in Queens

CityFHEPS vouchers work in Queens too. See our guide to CityFHEPS apartments for rent in Queens for 2026 maximum rents and the steps to rent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Queens neighborhoods are best for Section 8?

Jamaica, Far Rockaway, Flushing, Astoria, and Corona have the most Section 8 voucher-accepting landlords. Jamaica has the highest inventory and best transit access. Far Rockaway has substantial inventory in larger apartment buildings near the boardwalk. Astoria and Flushing have growing inventory at higher rents.

Are voucher services available in non-English languages in Queens?

Yes. Catholic Migration Services, MinKwon Center, Chhaya CDC, the Queens Community House, and the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families all offer Section 8 and other voucher application assistance in Spanish, Mandarin, Korean, Bengali, and other languages spoken in Queens.

How long is the commute from Queens voucher housing to Manhattan?

Depends on neighborhood. Long Island City and Astoria are 15-25 minutes to Midtown. Jackson Heights and Sunnyside are 25-35 minutes. Jamaica is 35-50 minutes by E/F train. Flushing is 40-50 minutes on the 7 train. Far Rockaway is 70-90 minutes by A train. Many neighborhoods are also accessible via LIRR for faster commutes at higher fares.