What the Hempstead Housing Authority does

The Hempstead Housing Authority is a public agency that manages affordable rental housing in Hempstead, New York, and administers the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program for the area. It does not set rent prices or decide who gets housing — it owns and operates buildings, maintains them, and processes vouchers that help low-income residents pay rent to private landlords. If you live in Hempstead and need affordable housing, the Authority is where you go to learn about public housing units or to get on a waiting list for a voucher.

The Authority serves Nassau County residents and operates under federal rules set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It is run by a board of commissioners and a executive director, and it answers to HUD for how it spends federal money and manages its properties. Understanding what it actually does — and what it does not — helps you know whether it can help your situation and what to expect if you contact them.

Key Takeaways

  • The Hempstead Housing Authority manages public housing buildings and administers Section 8 vouchers, but it does not decide who gets housing based on need alone — federal income limits and waiting lists control access.
  • Section 8 vouchers let you rent from a private landlord while the Authority pays part of your rent; the voucher is yours to use, but finding a landlord who accepts it can take months.
  • Public housing units are owned and operated by the Authority itself, and rent is set at 30 percent of your household income, not at market rate.
  • Waiting lists for both public housing and Section 8 vouchers are often closed or have years-long waits, so contact the Authority directly to learn the current status.
  • The Authority can evict you from public housing for lease violations, non-payment, or criminal activity, and those rules are stricter than what a private landlord can enforce.

Public housing units versus Section 8 vouchers

The Hempstead Housing Authority owns and operates public housing buildings where you rent directly from the Authority. Your rent is set at 30 percent of your household's gross monthly income, regardless of the market rent for the unit. If your income drops, your rent drops. If your income rises, your rent rises. You sign a lease with the Authority, and the Authority is responsible for maintenance, repairs, and building operations.

Section 8 vouchers work differently. The Authority gives you a voucher that covers part of the rent on a unit you find yourself in the private market. You locate a landlord willing to accept the voucher, the Authority inspects the unit to make sure it meets housing standards, and then the Authority pays the landlord directly each month. You pay the difference between the voucher amount and the actual rent. The voucher stays with you — if you move, you can use it at a different property, as long as the new landlord accepts it.

Public housing is more stable because your rent is tied to income, not market conditions. Section 8 is more flexible because you choose where to live, but finding a landlord who accepts vouchers can be difficult and time-consuming. Both have waiting lists, and both require you to meet income limits set by HUD.

Income limits and who can explore

The Hempstead Housing Authority serves households with income at or below 80 percent of the area median income (AMI) for Nassau County. The exact dollar amount depends on household size and changes each year. For example, a single person might have a limit around $60,000 to $70,000 annually, while a family of four might have a limit around $85,000 to $100,000, but these figures vary year to year and you should contact the Authority for the current limits.

You must also be a U.S. citizen or have may be able to access immigration status. The Authority will ask for proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer), proof of identity, and proof of residency in the service area. If you have an eviction history or criminal record, the Authority may still consider you, but it will review the details — recent evictions or certain crimes can disqualify you.

Waiting lists are often closed, meaning the Authority is not taking new applications because the list is already too long. You can call or visit in person to ask whether the list is open and, if it is, what documents you need to bring.

How waiting lists work and how long they take

When you explore for public housing or a Section 8 voucher, your name goes on a waiting list in the order it was received. The Authority contacts you when a unit or voucher becomes available. Wait times vary widely. Some people wait a few months; others wait years. It depends on how many people are ahead of you, how many units or vouchers the Authority has available, and how quickly people move out or off the program.

The Authority may prioritize certain households — for example, people experiencing homelessness, people with disabilities, or families with very low income — but the exact rules depend on the Authority's current policies. You can ask when you explore whether any priority categories explore to you.

While you are on the waiting list, your circumstances may change. If your income rises above the limit, you may be removed from the list. If you move out of the service area, you will be removed. If you are offered a unit or voucher and you turn it down, you may lose your place on the list or be moved to the back. Ask the Authority what happens if you decline an offer before you are in that situation.

What happens after you get a voucher or a unit

If you receive a Section 8 voucher, you have a limited time — usually 60 to 120 days — to find a landlord and a unit. The Authority will give you a list of requirements the unit must meet (minimum square footage, working plumbing, no lead paint hazards, and so on). You find the unit, the landlord agrees to accept the voucher, and then the Authority inspects it. If it passes, the lease is signed and the voucher takes effect.

If you receive a public housing unit, you sign a lease with the Authority and move in. Your rent is calculated based on your income at the time you move in. You must report changes in income, household composition, or employment within 30 days, because these affect your rent and your continued may be able to access.

In both cases, the Authority can terminate your lease if you violate the terms. Common violations include non-payment of rent, criminal activity on the premises, damage to the unit beyond normal wear, or allowing unauthorized occupants to live there. The Authority must give you notice and a chance to cure the violation (fix it) before eviction, but the process is faster than a private eviction and the rules are stricter.

Contacting the Hempstead Housing Authority

The Hempstead Housing Authority's main office is located in Hempstead, New York. You can visit in person, call their main number, or check their website for current hours and contact information. When you call, have your household income, household size, and any documentation of your current housing situation ready, because staff will ask basic questions to determine whether you might be may be able to access.

If the waiting list is closed, ask when it typically reopens. Some authorities reopen lists seasonally or when funding becomes available. You can also ask whether there are other local resources — such as emergency rental information, rapid rehousing programs, or nonprofit housing organizations — that might help while you wait.

Bring a photo ID and proof of income (recent pay stubs or tax return) if you visit in person to explore. If you are explore for a voucher, also bring proof that you live in the service area, such as a utility bill or lease.

What the Authority cannot do for you

The Hempstead Housing Authority does not provide emergency financial information, pay utility bills, or help with deposits for private rental housing. It does not may provide that you will get housing, and it does not speed up the process based on urgency or hardship — the waiting list moves in order. It also does not help you dispute an eviction that has already been filed in court, though some nonprofits in the area do.

If you need help paying rent right now, look into emergency rental information programs run by Nassau County or the Town of Hempstead, or contact 211 Nassau to be referred to local nonprofits. If you need help with a utility bill, contact your utility company about hardship programs or ask a local community action agency. The Housing Authority is a long-term solution, not an emergency one.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a Section 8 voucher?

Wait times vary from a few months to several years, depending on how many people are on the list and how many vouchers become available. The Hempstead Housing Authority can tell you the current average wait time when you call. Some people never receive a voucher because they move, their income changes, or they pass away before their name reaches the top of the list.

Can I use my Section 8 voucher outside of Hempstead?

No. The Hempstead Housing Authority's vouchers are only valid within its jurisdiction, which is Hempstead and the surrounding area in Nassau County. If you move outside that area, you lose the voucher. Some other housing authorities will accept a "portable" voucher from another authority, but you must contact them first to ask.

What if I have a criminal record or an eviction history?

The Authority reviews each case individually. A recent eviction or certain crimes (especially drug-related or violent offenses) may disqualify you, but older incidents or circumstances beyond your control may not. Call and ask whether your specific situation would prevent you from being considered. Some nonprofits also help people with records find housing.

What if my income goes up after I move into public housing?

Your rent will increase to 30 percent of your new income. You are not evicted, but you will pay more each month. If your income rises above the Authority's limit for the program, you may eventually be asked to leave, but the Authority usually gives you time to transition.

Can I appeal if I am denied housing or removed from the waiting list?

Yes. The Authority must provide you with a reason for denial or removal and information about how to request a hearing. The process and timeline vary, so ask for the appeal procedure in writing when you receive the denial notice.