Notice Details

1. Introduction

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) administers the country’s largest Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program. The HCV program (also known as Section 8) is a federally funded HUD program that provides rental assistance for quality units chosen by the Section 8 voucher holder (voucher holder) in the private rental market.

NYCHA has initiated a new program in which NYCHA will pay a broker fee of up to 15% of the annualized rent (1.8 times one month) to licensed New York real estate agents or brokers who assist certain qualified voucher holders lease an apartment (Broker Fee Policy). More information about the Broker Fee Policy can be found here.

In connection with the Broker Fee Policy, NYCHA is issuing a Request for Expression of Interest (RFEI) to invite licensed real estate agents/brokers to provide their contact information to NYCHA for inclusion in a Real Estate Agent Referral List that will be shared with new voucher holders (people who have never been on the Section 8 program) who are looking for an apartment.

2. Purpose

The purpose of the Real Estate Agent Referral List is to help connect new voucher holders with licensed real estate agents/brokers who will assist the voucher holder in identifying, applying for, and successfully leasing an apartment.

Experience with rental subsidy programs is not necessary to be included on the Real Estate Agent Referral List. NYCHA will provide an optional information session explaining the Section 8 program to anyone who provides their information in response to this RFEI.

Licensed real estate agents/brokers who provide their information for the Real Estate Agent Referral List and who work with NYCHA Section 8 voucher holders benefit from:

• Visibility to new voucher holders

• A competitive broker’s fee (up to 15% of annual rent)

• New Section 8 regulations that base the maximum lease amount on the average rent in each zip code, rather than a uniform maximum amount across the city, meaning that voucher holders are now able to rent units in neighborhoods where the average rent is higher.

Also, please note that to incentivize landlords to rent to new voucher holders, NYCHA will also pay landlords a bonus payment of one month’s rent (for a limited time).

Please click here for more Information about the Real Estate Agent Referral List and the Broker Fee Policy.

3. Information Solicited

Please complete the online form on the broker web page if you would like to be included on the Real Estate Agent Referral List.

You will be asked to provide the following when completing the form:

a. First and Last Name

b. Company

c. Name of broker of record of your company and the name of an additional point of contact within your company

d. NYS DOS issued license number

e. Phone number

f. Email address

g. Specialized borough (can choose more than one)

h. Uploaded copy of real estate license or ‘pocket card’ NYCHA will notify you if you are chosen to be included on the Real Estate Agent Referral List.

4. Submission Details

All submissions must be made by using this link. All submissions must be received by October 27, 2023. If you submit the online form after that date, NYCHA may consider adding you to an updated Real Estate Agent Referral List in the future if one is issued.