The city promises to speed up the application process and has 6,200 bonuses by March

Taking advantage of an increase in federal funds , this week the city began issuing "Section 8" subsidy coupons for the first time in two years, during which a waiting list of 104,000 people was accumulated.

For now there are 6,200 coupons available , of which 35 have already been granted. It is estimated to have allocated 2 thousand by mid-July and to deliver the rest until March 2019. Some will go directly to the tenants and others to specific buildings , where they will benefit to those who already live in those units, according to Lakesha Miller, executive vice president of the Housing Department of the City Housing Authority (NYCHA).

"We want to make sure everyone knows that we are issuing coupons so that families can locate housing units," Miller said.

The whole process is free. Of the total of 6,200 coupons, around 114 are programmed to benefit veterans. The rest are reserved for low-income families: single people who earn up to $ 36,500 per year and a family of four with an annual total income of up to $ 52,150 are eligible.

The tenants who receive the vouchers are guaranteed that, after paying 30% of their income for rent, the voucher will cover the rest of the amount.

Owners of residences with six or more units can not legally discriminate against potential tenants based on where they receive their income, whether through Section 8 vouchers, pensions, paychecks or other means, AmNY explained .

Miller added that his team recently refined and streamlined the application process. "When we call a family for an eligibility interview, if all the information is present they receive a coupon the same day, " he said.

"We are very, very excited because we know that affordable housing in New York City is a big need," he said.

The news arrives at the national level while the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Ben Carson, is proposing an increase in rents in subsidized public housing.

More information available by calling 311 or at www1.nyc.gov/site/nycha/section-8/about-section-8.page