Voucher-Friendly Housing in Syracuse

SHA serves the city of Syracuse, operating public housing communities — such as Pioneer Homes, James Geddes, Toomey Abbott Towers, and Central Village — along with the Housing Choice Voucher program. Pioneer Homes, opened in the early 1940s, was among the first federally funded public housing developments in the United States. Rent in SHA public housing is income-based, set at roughly 30% of adjusted household income.

SHA maintains waitlists for public housing and the Housing Choice Voucher program, applied for online at syracusehousing.org. Waitlists open and close periodically depending on availability and funding. Check current status with SHA before applying, and never pay to apply.

New York protects renters from source-of-income discrimination statewide. Under the New York State Human Rights Law (Executive Law §§ 292 and 296), as amended by the Lawful Source of Income Non-Discrimination Act of 2019, landlords generally may not refuse to rent to you simply because you would pay with a Housing Choice Voucher or other lawful assistance such as Social Security, public assistance, or child support. If a landlord rejects your voucher, you may have a right to file a complaint with the New York State Division of Human Rights.

Apply through the Syracuse Housing Authority (SHA) at syracusehousing.org when waitlists are open. Rent is based on income (about 30% of adjusted household income); eligibility is generally limited to households at or below local income limits. Call SHA at (315) 475-6181. Applications are free — never pay to apply.