NYCHA Section 8 and Public Housing offer emergency priorities for victims of domestic violence (VDV).  In order to qualify for housing under this priority, applicants must meet certain documentation criteria.  In April 2006, NYCHA expanded the number of documents accepted for the domestic violence priority.   Prior to April 2006, NYCHA required that domestic violence applicants submit two police reports, an order of protection, and an advocacy letter.  The expanded criteria include a list of acceptable documents divided into three categories.  Applicants must submit one document from each of the three categories to qualify.  A list of NYCHA’s new documentation standards can be found on the NYCHA website.  Please note that in May 2007, NYCHA added one additional document to the list of items acceptable under the first category (“Category A”) – the District Attorney’s Complaint.

Applicants should be aware that these documents are now being defined very narrowly and applications should be reviewed by an advocate before submission.

The main differences between the new documentation requirements and the previous standard are the following:

• Only two documents (plus advocacy letter) are required to show evidence of two incidents now, instead of the previous standard of three documents (plus advocacy letter)

• Accepted documentation has been expanded to include Hospital Inpatient Letter and Records, Court Dispute Referral Center Letters, NYPD Letters, and DA Office Letters

• NYCHA has extended the timeline out for one of the incidents – one incident must have occurred within 12 months, another incident must be within the last 24 months (previously both had to be within 12 months)

• Expired orders of protections are now accepted to provide evidence of a domestic violence incident if coupled with a police report or Category A letter showing a separate incident within the last 12 months

The documentation standards for domestic violence have also changed for transfer applicants.  While the timeline is slightly stricter for Section 8 and Public Housing tenants who request domestic violence transfers, there is more flexibility in the definitions of the documents.  The main documentation differences for transfer applicants compared to new applicants are: 

• Transfer applicants must show evidence of incidents within 6 months and 12 months (instead of within 12 and 24 months)

• If transfer request is made from shelter, Order of Protection must be current and all documents must meet time frame requirements at time of entry into shelter.  For new applicants, must meet requirements on application date regardless of shelter entry date.

• For Category B hospital documentation, hospital discharge forms are accepted for transfer applications.  Hospital discharge forms are not accepted for new applications.

In addition to obtaining the appropriate documents, NYCHA has also established additional standards for what is acceptable in each document.  All letters submitted with a VDV application should adhere to the following:

• Letter should be typed, not hand-written

• Letters should be on agency letterhead

• Letters should advocate for the relocation of the household (explain safety reasons for relocation)

In addition to these general rules, the chart below provides information specific to individual documents.

For more information on NYCHA’s eligibility requirements and application process, please visit our NYCHA Section 8 information and NYCHA Public Housing section. 

If you have a specific question about this update or NYCHA generally, you can contact us via our feedback form or through the HousingLink HelpLine at 646-472-0262.