Owner Incentive Rental and Transfer Program

This program offers an incentive payment to owners who rent a unit to a new applicant, port-in, transfer, or restoration. Please note that the incentive does not apply to the Emergency Housing Voucher Program or Project-Based rentals/transfers. 

The owner will receive an incentive payment equal to one month of contract rent for renting to NYCHA Section 8 voucher holders. The incentive will be issued after submission of the signed Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) agreement and verification that the keys have been issued to the new tenant. 

For more information, read these FAQs below. Questions? Send an email to s8.rtu@nycha.nyc.gov.

What is the Owner Incentive Program?

NYCHA is offering an incentive payment to owners who complete a rental or transfer with NYCHA’s Section 8 program. 

*The owner incentive does not apply to the Emergency Housing Voucher Program or Project-Based rentals/transfers.

How long will NYCHA offer incentive payments to owners?

This Owner Incentive Program will be offered until further notice. Please see below for more information about eligibility, including the deadline to request payment.

Which type of owners are eligible to participate in the Owner Incentive Program for Rentals and Transfers?

This program is available to any New York City landlord with a vacant unit, including those who never had a NYCHA Section 8 tenant. The incentive covers all tenant-based rentals and transfers. 

Becoming an owner in NYCHA’s Section 8 program is fast and easy. For more information on the benefits and process of becoming a Section 8 owner, visit on.nyc.gov/section8owners.

How much is the owner incentive payment for rentals and transfers?

The incentive payment is equal to one month of contract rent for the unit. 

For example, if the total contract rent for the unit is $2,000/month, the owner incentive payment would be $2,000.

Which type of Section 8 rentals and transfers qualify for an owner incentive payment?

The owner incentive is available for:

1. New rentals – tenants who were recently issued a Section 8 voucher and will be new Section 8 participants in NYCHA’s Section 8 program.* 
2. Restorations via transfer – tenants seeking to have their Section 8 benefits restored by transferring to a new unit. 
3. Port-in – tenants who are moving to New York City and are transferring their Section 8 assistance to NYCHA. 
4. Transfers – tenants who are currently in the Section 8 program and are transferring to a new unit. 

The owner must sign and return the Confirmation of Key Issuance form within 30 days of the approved move-in date. If NYCHA receives the Confirmation of Key Issuance form after 30 days of the approved move-in date, the rental will not be eligible for an incentive payment.  

All rentals and transfers must also comply with NYCHA’s rental/transfer process, and the unit must comply with federal Housing Quality Standards (HQS).  

*The owner incentive for Rentals and Transfers does not apply to the Emergency Housing Voucher Program or Project-Based units.

How does a Section 8 owner receive a rental incentive payment?

A completed rental packet must be submitted to NYCHA prior to the expiration of the voucher. 

If the Section 8 rental or transfer is eligible for a rental incentive payment, NYCHA will email the owner a Confirmation of Key Issuance form and a HAP contract. 

You must sign and return the HAP contract to s8.rtu@nycha.nyc.gov as soon as possible. NYCHA will review and countersign the HAP contract and issue a final move-in letter. 

You must issue the keys to the tenant, complete the Confirmation of Key Issuance form, and return the form to s8.rtu@nycha.nyc.gov within the timeframe specified on the form. 

Any HAP contract and/or Confirmation of Key Issuance forms received by NYCHA after 30 days of the approved move-in date will not be eligible for an incentive payment.

Can I complete the Confirmation of Key Issuance form before providing the tenant with the keys?

No. Do not complete the Confirmation of Key Issuance form until the keys are issued to the tenant. 

The tenant must also sign and date the Confirmation of Key Issuance form to verify they have received the keys.

I submitted a completed Confirmation of Key Issuance form; when will I receive my incentive payment?

NYCHA will issue the owner incentive payment within 60 days of receipt of the completed Confirmation of Key Issuance form. 

Owners can check the status of the owner incentive payment on the Owner Extranet: on.nyc.gov/ownerextranet.

What type of units are eligible for the Owner Incentive for HQS?

Eligible units must be:

• "Active" on the program
• Suspended for at least 60 days (also known as “long-term suspension”) for a failed HQS unit inspection
• Brought into compliance and submit proof of repairs to NYCHA no later than February 17th, 2023

Failure for Public Space violations DO NOT qualify for this program.
Tenant-based, and RAD units are eligible for this incentive.

Proof of repairs must be received by no later than February 17th. HQS Repair Incentive payments will not be considered for cases that submit documentation past this date.

How much is the Owner Incentive payment for HQS?

An owner will receive a one-time incentive payment in the amount of three (3) months of contract rent when they make repairs and bring an eligible unit into HQS compliance.
For example: If the total contract rent for the unit is $2,000, then the total owner incentive payment will be $6,000.

What documents does the owner need to submit to certify that repairs have been completed?

If the unit failed an HQS inspection, the owner must complete and submit NYCHA Form 059.307 Certification of Completed Repairs (NE -2 form), and Form 059.348 Certification of Completed Building Repairs if required to bring the unit into compliance; and any supporting documentation in accordance with the instructions on the form. A copy of the form(s) can be found by logging into the Owner Extranet.

When will the owner receive the owner incentive payment for HQS?

NYCHA will issue the owner incentive payment within 60 days from when NYCHA receives the certification of repairs from the owner.

Owners can check the status of the owner incentive payment on the Owner Extranet.

Will NYCHA re-inspect the unit before it issues the owner incentive payment?

NYCHA may contact the tenant or re-inspect the unit for quality control purposes.