Housing Resources
Housing Options for Autistic Adults
Housing to Look For
There are many different housing options for Autistic individuals, but a good way to start your housing search is to decide if you or your family member wants to live in a supportive living home or a private home. Supportive housing might be a great option for adults with specific support needs.
If you are searching for a supportive living home, there are 2 different models: single-site (or congregate), and scattered-site. “Scattered-site” means that the community living home is connected to both the disabled and non-disabled community.
If you are searching for a private home/apartment, searching housing websites and groups, researching government assistance programs, and reading through our resources on this page is a great place to start.
Housing to Avoid
You should avoid closed off group homes, gated communities, and other types of residences that separate people with disabilities from non-disabled people. These often restrict residents by limiting their self-autonomy, including limited dining hours, limited or restricted access to the outside community, and more.
Read More - ASAN HCBS Advocates Toolkit
Support Organizations
Below is a list of New York based organizations that connect Autistic individuals to housing services. These organizations can help guide you in the right direction and explain government assistance programs that might be available to you.
Note: Autistic Adults NYC is not affiliated with any of these organizations. Please check them out and decide whether or not they might be useful for you.
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“CIDNY provides referrals, assistance, and resources for people with disabilities looking for affordable and accessible housing. We are not a housing provider, but help people learn how to search for housing and housing subsidies so that they understand and can use online and other resources.”
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“Our Housing Advocacy Program provides housing advocacy services for Brooklyn-based individuals and families with autism/developmental disabilities.”
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“ADAPT Community Network’s Housing Assistance Services (HAS) program supports families living within the five boroughs with their housing concerns. Families must have a member of the household who is OPWDD eligible in order to qualify. We provide support through advocacy, information and referral services for housing concerns.”
ADAPT Website -
(Not autism or disability specific)
“Dedicated Homebase staff across the five boroughs are available to evaluate households' specific needs, offering a variety of services to help New Yorkers achieve housing stability, including:
Services to prevent eviction
Assistance obtaining public benefits
Emergency rental assistance
Education and job placement assistance
Financial counseling and money management
Help relocating
Short-term financial assistance”
Government Programs
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
A national program that provides “monthly cash assistance payments” to a variety of individuals, including people with disabilities. New York State offers two types of funding, see below.
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If you are a parent/caretaker of someone with a disability or a minor living with a parent/caretaker and are in need of extra assistance you are likely eligible for this type of funding. This funding lasts for up to 5 years and can carry over to other states if you move. To learn more about your eligibility, call the number below or go to the NYC program website here
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If you are an adult or family that is not eligible for Family Assistance, you might instead qualify for Safety Net Assistance. This funding is provided as cash for up to 2 years. If further assistance is needed after two years, additional support can be provided as direct payment for certain types of expenses (utility bills, etc.). To learn more about your eligibility, call the number below or go to the NYC program website here
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Call the NYC program office: (800) 342 3009
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
A national program that provides financial assistance to adults and children with a disability who meet specific financial limits.
Note: A formal diagnosis is one of the requirements for eligibility.
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An individual adult may meet the SSI income limit if they:
Earn less than $1,913 per month from a job (before taxes and deductions), or
Get less than $934 per month from non-work sources, like unemployment or pensions
Couples with a child with a disability may meet the SSI income limit if they:
Don’t earn more than $4,695 per month from their work (includes both partners' income, before taxes and deductions), or
Get less than $2,325 per month from non-work sources, like unemployment or pensions.
An individual parent who has a child with a disability may meet the SSI income limit if they:
Don’t earn more than $3,781 per month from work (before taxes and deductions), or
Get less than $1,868 per month from non-work sources, like unemployment or pensions.
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If you want to apply, click here to be redirected to the SSI application website.
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The national Social Security number is: 1-800-772-1213.
The downtown New York City office number: 1-866-335-1089.
NYC Affordable Housing Lottery
The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and Housing Development Corporation (HDC) provide affordable housing on a lottery basis in rental units around the city. NYC Housing Connect lists developments you can individually apply for. You must meet the income and size requirements for the development you’re applying for.
NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA)
NYCHA provides public housing to low-income residents in NYC. Read more about NYCHA’s eligibility and income limits here.
Note: There is a very long waiting list for NYCHA housing, priority is given to individuals and families applying from shelters and other agencies.
Emergency Benefits
NY State Temporary Assistance Program
New York State’s Temporary Assistance Program also offers emergency housing support to individuals and families to help resolve an urgent need or situation. A few types of assistance the program provides are payment of shelter debts, utility debts, fuel, temporary housing, and more. The program offers three types of emergency housing support with different eligibility requirements for each type (see the three types below).
Please note: If you have emergency needs you should contact your local department of social services as soon as possible, so you can be interviewed and informed in writing about the decision on your emergency the same day you apply. New York’s main number is: (212) 361 8000.
You DO NOT have to be eligible for ongoing Temporary Assistance to receive Emergency Assistance.
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Provides assistance for individuals and couples who have been determined eligible or are receiving SSI (Supplemental Security Income) or SSI State Supplementation Program (SSP) payments.
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Provides assistance to meet the emergency needs of pregnant persons and families with at least one child under age 18, or under age 19 and regularly attending full time secondary school.
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Provides emergency assistance to single adults and childless couples.
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Call the NYC program office: (800) 342 3009
Housing Sites
Websites to search for private housing or roommates.
Note: Autistic Adults NYC is not affiliated with any of these websites. Please check them out and decide whether or not they might be useful for you.
Tip:
Facebook Marketplace often has rooms within apartments available to rent. There are also many Facebook groups to connect individuals looking for roommates. Please be careful however and watch out for scams!
Additional Resources
Websites/Organizations that can provide more information.