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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.
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Nassau County Office of Housing: Manages the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program for the county.
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Town of Hempstead Housing Authority: Provides senior housing and affordable rental complexes.
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Freeport Housing Authority: Manages public housing units and vouchers specifically for Freeport residents.
Suffolk County Housing Programs
Suffolk County features several town-specific authorities that manage waiting lists for public housing and vouchers.
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Suffolk County Housing Assistance (CDLI): Community Development Long Island (CDLI) is a major administrator for Section 8 in Suffolk.
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Town of Huntington Housing Authority: Manages Gateway Gardens and the Millennium Hills affordable developments.
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Town of Islip Housing Authority: Oversees rental assistance and public housing programs for Islip residents.
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Town of Brookhaven Housing Authority: Provides housing assistance specifically within Brookhaven.
Affordable Housing Search Tools
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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
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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.
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NY State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR): The primary state agency for affordable housing and Section 8 administration.
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NYHousingSearch.gov: A one-stop shop to search for affordable apartment listings across New York, including filtered searches for Long Island.
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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
More Affordable Housing Resources
Find Affordable Rental Housing | USAGov
AffordableHousing.com - Affordable Houses & Apartments For Rent
How to Find Nice Affordable Housing Quickly By Applying Elsewhere – How to Get On (wordpress.com)
How I Got Affordable Housing When the Wait Lists Were Closed – How to Get On (wordpress.com)
How Can I Get Emergency or Immediate Housing?
How Can I Get Emergency or Immediate Housing? – How to Get On (wordpress.com)
How to use HUD MAPS to find affordable housing:
How to Use the HUD Map to Find Affordable Housing – How to Get On (wordpress.com)
Federally Assisted Housing Complexes
https://docs.google.com/document/d/164KMIKMyxA9-8cWluB0c6sEcVj7dTXljKTtlr-qhBik/edit?usp=sharing
Specialized & Non-Profit Services
These organizations provide targeted support for seniors, individuals with disabilities, or those facing housing instability.
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Catholic Charities of Long Island: Operates over 1,300 units of affordable senior and supportive housing across both counties.
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Options for Community Living: Focuses on supportive housing for individuals with chronic illnesses or disabilities.
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North Fork Housing Alliance: Provides housing counseling and rental assistance specifically for the North Fork of Suffolk County.
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Long Island Housing Partnership (LIHP): Specializes in affordable homeownership programs and down payment assistance.
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
Blogs
We surfed the web done the research so you dont have to.
Get on as many waiting lists as you can.
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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!
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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!
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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)
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: