Housing Services | The West Side Commons

Eviction Prevention

To request assistance and schedule an appointment with our Family Services Program staff, complete our Request for Assistance form. If you have an emergency (eviction, no food, shut off notice) you can call our hotline at 212-874-7272 leave your phone number and a brief description of your problem and someone will get back to you within two hours.

You can also email:

Erica Bynum at ebynum@stryckersbay.org (habla espanol)
Janice Bethea at jbethea@stryckersbay.org

At this time, we are not able to accept clients on a walk-in basis requesting services. Someone from our office will contact you to schedule an in person, web conference, or phone meeting to assist with your issue. Please have the following documents available, as this will allow us to properly address your need:

Rent Arrears
Eviction Notice
Income Documentation

If you are unable to get through to us, please contact the additional resources listed below:

Housing Court Answers is an agency that provides up to date information on available resources, funds, and housing policies throughout New York City. Resources are also available to help you navigate the court process and prepare for your hearing.
Met Council on Housing is a tenant’s rights organization that provides resources on a variety of housing issues that tenants face. There are resources available to support your housing needs.
One Shot Deal through NYC’s Human Resource Administration (HRA) is a program that helps people who are unable to meet their expenses due to a variety of situations or events. Please visit their portal where you can access their screening application.
HRA’s Office of Civil Justice is an agency that provides a variety of legal services to low-income individuals and families. Through this service, you may be eligible to receive advocacy services and additional support to preserve your housing.
A Tenant’s Guide to the New York City Housing Court is a guide created by the Association of the Bar of New York. This resource outlines how housing court works, the rights of landlords and tenants, and how to defend yourself in court.

Right to Counsel is a law that was passed in 2017 that guarantees legal services to tenants facing eviction. This means that if you have a case that is brought to housing court, as a tenant you have the right to be represented by a lawyer who will advocate on your behalf. Below are fact sheets, which go into greater detail about this law and how you can use this service

Right to Counsel NYC Fact Sheet (English)

Right to Counsel NYC Fact Sheet (Spanish)

Affordable Housing

The West Side Commons is an Affordable Housing Ambassador with NYC’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development. We have received training to help New Yorker’s access affordable housing. New York City has limited housing resources that are affordable to low and moderate income families.. At present, there are more applicants seeking affordable housing than there are units available. Our role as Affordable Housing Ambassadors is to connect you with what housing you are eligible for and what is available. We then walk you through the application process for the housing you wish to apply for.

You can also email:

Erica Bynum at ebynum@stryckersbay.org (habla espanol)
Janice Bethea at jbethea@stryckersbay.org

Despite the low inventory of affordable housing, there are programs available that may assist you with your current housing situation. The following programs include:

Open Doors Guide is a resource that explains how to seek assistance in finding housing, programs for special populations in need of assistance, and guidance on how to search for an apartment.
NYC Housing Connect is a portable for New Yorkers to search and apply for affordable housing opportunities throughout the five boroughs. Once you create an account, you will have access to submit applications through their portal for available housing opportunities.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides access to resources and agencies within your current location that can assist you in finding housing or programs to support your housing needs.
New York State Division of Human Rights Fair Housing Guide is a resource which outlines your rights as a tenant in a NYC housing unit and how to proceed if you feel your rights are violated.

Rent Subsidies

You can also email:

Erica Bynum at ebynum@stryckersbay.org (habla espanol)
Janice Bethea at jbethea@stryckersbay.org

More and more tenants in New York City are financially burdened by their monthly rent. There are programs and resources that can help reduce that burden:

CityFHEPS is a rental assistance program that helps New Yorkers keep their current housing. At the moment they are not receiving new applications, however, if you are a current recipient of this service, support is available for you.
Open Doors: Resources for New Yorkers Facing Housing Instability is a guide to help you navigate the current services and programs that New York has available for residents seeking to sustain their housing.
Homebase is an agency within New York City’s Human Resources Administration (HRA) that works with individuals and families to create and implement a plan to help stabilize your current housing. There are multiple locations within the five boroughs.
Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) is a program that provides a freeze on rent increases for tenants with disabilities. If a tenant’s rent increases, the city will pay the difference allowing the tenant to continue to pay the rent they can afford.
Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) is a program that provides a freeze on rent increases for eligible senior citizens. If a tenant’s rent increases, the city will pay the difference allowing the tenant to continue to pay the rent they can afford.

Housing / Tenant Rights

Eviction Prevention

Affordable Housing

Rent Subsidies

The West Side Commons

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