top of page
Housing 

Nassau County Housing Programs

In Nassau County, many individual towns manage their own housing authorities, while the county oversees the broader Section 8 program.

  • Nassau County Office of Housing: Manages the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program for the county.

  • Town of Hempstead Housing Authority: Provides senior housing and affordable rental complexes.

  • Freeport Housing Authority: Manages public housing units and vouchers specifically for Freeport residents.

                 Website 

Suffolk County Housing Programs

Suffolk County features several town-specific authorities that manage waiting lists for public housing and vouchers.

  • Suffolk County Housing Assistance (CDLI): Community Development Long Island (CDLI) is a major administrator for Section 8 in Suffolk.

  • Town of Huntington Housing Authority: Manages Gateway Gardens and the Millennium Hills affordable developments.

  • Town of Islip Housing Authority: Oversees rental assistance and public housing programs for Islip residents.

  • Town of Brookhaven Housing Authority: Provides housing assistance specifically within Brookhaven.

               Website 

Affordable Housing Search Tools

  • HUD Affordable Housing Search
    Search for HUD-subsidized housing by location. (You may need to enable location services on your device.) 👉 Visit HUD Housing Search

  • 211 Long Island Browse local services by category.➤ Go to “Directory of Services” → “Basic Needs” → “Housing/Shelter” 👉 Visit 211 Long Island

📍 Suffolk County Housing Resources

  • Federally Subsidized Housing in Suffolk County
    A comprehensive list of federally subsidized housing complexes. 👉 View the List

  • Real Estate Agencies & Brokers
    A list of licensed agents and brokers who can assist with housing in Suffolk County.
    👉 View Real Estate Contacts

Regional & State Programs

These organizations cover large portions of both Nassau and Suffolk Counties and offer centralized databases for finding affordable units.

  • NY State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR): The primary state agency for affordable housing and Section 8 administration.

  • NYHousingSearch.gov: A one-stop shop to search for affordable apartment listings across New York, including filtered searches for Long Island.

  • HUD New York Resources: The federal department’s guide for rental assistance, public housing, and homeownership in NY.

HUD Exchange: Housing Counselor Locator

HUD provides support to a nationwide network of housing counseling agencies (HCAs) and certified counselors. HUD participating HCAs are approved and trained to provide tools to current and prospective homeowners and renters so they can make responsible choices to address their housing needs in light of their financial situations

Specialized & Non-Profit Services

These organizations provide targeted support for seniors, individuals with disabilities, or those facing housing instability.

  • Catholic Charities of Long Island: Operates over 1,300 units of affordable senior and supportive housing across both counties.

  • Options for Community Living: Focuses on supportive housing for individuals with chronic illnesses or disabilities.

  • North Fork Housing Alliance: Provides housing counseling and rental assistance specifically for the North Fork of Suffolk County.

  • Long Island Housing Partnership (LIHP): Specializes in affordable homeownership programs and down payment assistance.

                 Website 

Housing programs

SPA

Applying for the **Single Point of Access (SPA) Housing** program for Nassau or Suffolk County requires navigating a specific centralized intake process, as they provide specialized housing levels of care (such as supervised community residences, apartment treatment, or supported housing) for individuals with mental health or behavioral health needs. The application process depends on whether a licensed case manager is assisting or if it is being handled independently. Step 1: Determine the Submission Method Through an Agency (Preferred): If currently working with a care coordinator, therapist, or shelter case manager, check if their agency has access to the **SPA Online Portal**. Licensed agencies are required to submit applications electronically, allowing them to track the application status directly. * **Paper Application:** If applying independently or working with an agency that lacks portal access, a physical paper application must be completed. The document can be downloaded directly via the [SPA Universal Housing . ### Step 2: Gather Mandatory Supporting Documents The SPA committee will not process an application if it is missing clinical documentation. The following must be attached: * **Psychiatric Evaluation:** Must be dated within **2 years**, include a current diagnosis, and be signed by a licensed Psychiatrist (MD/DO) or a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner (NPP). * **Psychosocial Evaluation / Core History:** Must be dated within **2 years** and signed by a mental health professional involved in treatment or care coordination. * **Physical Exam & PPD (Tuberculosis test):** Must be dated within **1 year** and signed by an MD, DO, or Nurse Practitioner. * **Physician’s Authorization Form (PAF):** Only required if requesting a higher level of care, such as a *Supervised Community Residence* or *Apartment Treatment*. ### Step 3: Fill Out the Application The form asks for specific structural details regarding the applicant's needs: * **Level of Care Requested:** Select only one option (e.g., Supported Housing, Apartment Treatment, Supervised Residence). * **Specialized Preferences:** Indicate if there is a need for specialized units, such as MICA (Mental Illness/Chemical Addiction), Young Adult services, or Veteran housing. * **Applicant Signature:** If submitting a paper form, the **Applicant Signature Page** must be physically signed and witnessed to authorize the release of information to potential housing providers. ### Step 4: Submit and Follow Up If utilizing the paper route, submit the application along with all separate clinical documents via email, fax, or mail: > **SPA Long Island** > 📍 191 Bethpage-Sweet Hollow Rd, Old Bethpage, NY 11804 > 📧 **Email:** info@spahousingli.org * **Important Maintenance Rule:** Once submitted, SPA requires the applicant or their referral source to contact SPA support staff **on a quarterly basis (every 3 months)** to check on the status and keep the application active. If there is zero contact for a full year, the file is automatically closed.

 📞 Suffolk Mental Hygiene Support: (631) 853-8500

We recommend you get a care coordinator: Click here

SPA Application  Click here

or request from the [SPA Long Island Website] Click here:

SILO

To submit or inquire about an application with SILO (Self-Initiated Living Options / Suffolk Independent Living Organization), you can use the following main contact numbers:

​More info on our Elderly page: Click here

SILO Main Office: (631) 880-7929

• NY Connects (SILO Suffolk Line): (631) 730-3737 (often used for direct program intake, scheduling application drop-offs, and community resources)

• Fax Number: (631) 946-6377 (if you need to fax your completed application paperwork)

If you are submitting documentation in person or via mail, their main office is located at:

SILO

3253 Route 112, Bldg. 10 Medford, NY 11763

Website

Section 8 Waiting Lists, How to cut the line! and tricks to transfer immediately 

Get on as many waiting lists as you can.​

  • Did you know there are hundreds of waiting lists open for applications across the USA? Once approved, you can apply anywhere and transfer before the one-year restriction. Smaller counties with lower populations often have faster approval processes.👉 Click Here

Here is the plan!

  • Transfer Your Section 8 Housing Before the One-Year Restriction: Letter Templates and Reasons to Help Get Your Transfer Approved. Click Here​

More than Section 8!

  • There are more assistance options than just Section 8. View our lists of affordable housing waiting lists. 👉 Click Here

Many Section 8 waiting lists on Long Island are currently closed or have long wait times. It is often helpful to contact a HUD-Approved Housing Counselor to navigate the application processes for these various agencies.

 

Here’s where you can find ideas, tips, secrets, and special policies for living in affordable housing. 

https://howtogeton.wordpress.com/hud-section-8-low.../

Having trouble finding a landlord who will accept your housing voucher? 

https://howtogeton.wordpress.com/section-8-hud-housing.../

Housing Choice Voucher Program Guidebook

https://www.hud.gov/helping-americans/housing-choice-vouchers-guidebook

How is My Rent Calculated? (HUD, Section 8 & Low Income Housing)

Click Here

Does a Landlord have to accept my voucher?

https://affordablehousingonline.com/source-of-income...

How do payment standards and utility allowances work?

https://howtogeton.wordpress.com/payment-standards-in.../

Porting (moving to another housing authority)

https://howtogeton.wordpress.com/porting-and-moving-with.../

Twelve Reasons NOT to Port Your Housing Voucher

https://howtogeton.wordpress.com/porting-section-8.../

My Housing Worker Says I Can’t Port Because It Costs Too Much $

https://howtogeton.wordpress.com/my-housing-worker-says.../

Guide to Porting New Housing Vouchers Without Waiting 12 Months

https://howtogeton.wordpress.com/guide-to-porting-new.../

Alder’s Letter for Exception to Porting Policies

https://howtogeton.wordpress.com/alders-request-to-port.../

How to show your request is disability related or describe it

https://howtogeton.wordpress.com/how-to-make-sure-your.../

https://howtogeton.wordpress.com/how-do-i-describe-my.../

Getting reinstated on a waiting list

https://howtogeton.wordpress.com/shemeka-gets-her-spot.../

How to get longer search time or your voucher back

https://howtogeton.wordpress.com/four-common-reasons-for.../

https://howtogeton.wordpress.com/sample-letter-for.../

Medical expense deductions

https://howtogeton.wordpress.com/who-gets-medical.../

What Counts as a Medical Expense for Housing?

https://howtogeton.wordpress.com/what-counts-as-a.../

Sample Letter for Medical Expense Deduction for Assistance Animal

https://howtogeton.wordpress.com/sample-letter-for.../

Disability Assistance Expense Paid

(Daycare expenses for older disabled child to allow you to work)

https://howtogeton.wordpress.com/disability-assistance.../

Overnight Guests

https://howtogeton.wordpress.com/seven-tips-for-staying.../

https://howtogeton.wordpress.com/how-to-request-a.../

Earned income disregard

https://www.tenmast.com/earned-income-disallowance-eid.../

http://www.hireabilitieshawaii.org/understanding-the-hud.../

Center on Community Living and Careers

https://www.iidc.indiana.edu/cclc/community/housing.html

Buying a house with Sec 8

https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/24/982.317

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx...

Moving to work housing authorities (exception to many rules)

https://www.hud.gov/.../public.../programs/ph/mtw/mtwsites

Rights for Domestic Violence victims

 https://howtogeton.wordpress.com/how-to-show-a.../

Violence Against Women Act VAWA

https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/17-08PIHN.PDF

How to get help or file a complaint

https://howtogeton.wordpress.com/get-help-or-file.../

Where to look for places to rent

https://howtogeton.wordpress.com/section-8-hud-housing.../

www.gosection8.com www.socialserve.com www.trulia.com www.zillow.com www.craigslist.com www.hotpads.com 

 

Additional Resources​

How to use the HUD map (some accept section 

https://howtogeton.wordpress.com/.../how-to-search-and.../

How to find housing for people with disabilities

https://howtogeton.wordpress.com/how-to-find-yourself-a.../

Subsidized Housing. How to find housing that charges 30% of your income

https://howtogeton.wordpress.com/.../how-to-find.../

How to get affordable housing without a voucher

https://howtogeton.wordpress.com/.../how-to-find-super.../

More ideas to try to find affordable housing

https://howtogeton.wordpress.com/a-long-long-long-list.../

How to find open section 8 waiting lists

https://affordablehousingonline.com/open-section-8...

How to find open public housing and project based voucher waiting lists

https://affordablehousingonline.com/public-housing...

For everyone:

Check Facebook marketplace, ask your housing authority for a list of apartments/ landlords (check their website), check newspapers, drive/walk around if possible, check grocery stores, laundromats, libraries and other places for ads, contact real estate agents

How to be poor in America

https://howtogeton.wordpress.com/.../how-to-be-poor-in.../

How to Have a Great Life even with Disabling Conditions:

https://howtogeton.wordpress.com/

Please subscribe to our monthly newsletter Click here

Amazon Affiliate Disclosure:

"As an Amazon Associate, HLI earns from qualifying purchases. This means that when you click on a link and make a purchase, HLI may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Your support helps us continue our work at Homeless Long Island, and we appreciate your support!"

  • TikTok
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Amazon Homeless Long Island
  • X Homeless Long Island
  • Group Homeless Long Island Support for Homeless Campers & Campground Campers
  • Page Homeless Long Island
Homeless man sleeping on a char with his head down on a table outdoors

Report the Homeless — Help Us Help Them

If you see someone who appears homeless, sleeping outside, in a car, or in unsafe conditions—let us know. Your report could be the first step in connecting them with shelter, food, medical care, and long-term housing solutions.

🌐 Online Report Form: Click here

📍 All reports are confidential and used only to offer help.

Every person matters. Your alert could save a life.

Are you looking to hear from God?

You can hear from Him anytime by simply opening His Word — the Bible.

If you need a Bible, we’re happy to provide one for free. We deliver anywhere in Nassau and Suffolk counties.

To read the bible on line click here or watch bible based Christian movies.

Contact us

Hours of operation

Monday - Friday 9am -5pm

Location

Homeless Long island is without an address.

If you have a building or office space to donate or discount, please call us.

After Hours

After hours 5pm-9pm  (text,email,contact) Text 631-260-1363 or email or contact possible response delay.

After hours 9pm-9am (text,email,contact) Text 631-260-1363 or email or contact There usually will be a response delay.

Main Number Bilingual

English/Spanish Phone or text: 631-260-1363 

We aim to answer all calls live during business hours. If we miss you, meet Catherine Mack, our bilingual virtual assistant. She can answer questions using information from our website. To skip the assistant and leave a recorded message, simply speak over the prompt at any time.

Address

If you have a donation please call/text us during business hours: 

631-260-1363 

Since November 2023

©2022 by Homeless Long Island. Proudly created with Wix.com

bottom of page