Finding wheelchair accessible, ADA-compliant housing in New York City

Finding wheelchair accessible housing in New York City is a nightmare. After years of housing instability and inaccessibility at home, I can vouch for how difficult it was to land where I am today, in my ADA-compliant building. Many wheelchair users live in inaccessible homes; research shows that less than 5% of housing in the U.S. is disability accessible, despite at least 1 in 4 Americans having a disability. 

This system is not built for us. I want to share what I did to secure my current home so others have guidance while navigating this difficult system. Even if you’re not a wheelchair user—yet—I invite you to stay here to learn about this arduous and vulnerable process. Very often, people think disabled folks receive a lot of institutional support and services, when that is usually not the case without fighting, endlessly, for the help we need to survive, much less thrive.

I’m not going into the process of Section 8 Housing or lottery housing because I’ve only ever been an applicant and never a receiver. If you’re banking on lottery housing, I (personally) did not hear back from buildings for months. However, disability or social service organizations can provide guidance on the disability housing available in New York City. To accommodate all disabled folks, I have listed resources and social service organizations at the bottom of this piece. This piece will focus primarily on searching for wheelchair-accessible buildings and neighborhoods and not units because, as a community, all of our at-home accessibility requirements are different.

Wheelchair-Friendly NYC Neighborhoods

When finding wheelchair-friendly housing, wheelchair-friendly neighborhoods matter more than anything else. Many of the lottery buildings I applied to weren’t even nearby accessible train stations, so it felt moot to apply. Why would I want to live in a building that’s a twenty-five minute manual wheel from the subway?

I have learned it's best to be in wheeling distance of at least two accessible train stations in case an elevator goes out, which really limits the neighborhoods you can move to; instead of finding neighborhoods, you’re mostly confined to a few blocks. There are also stations like Coney Island-Stillwell Av and Canarsie-Rockaway that have ramp or ground floor access. (I know some people prefer the bus as their primary public transport. Personally, I would not depend on the bus system; I don’t even take the bus often because I find it terrifying as a wheelchair user and feel like I’m going to die at every intersection, but that’s just me.) Having train access is important, but then again, taxis, Access-a-Ride, cars, and buses may be your preferred mode of transportation.

So now you’re wondering: What neighborhoods are even accessible? I based my housing on my budget and access. Last time I looked for housin, I made a list of accessible areas I could move to within budget. However, I wouldn’t want to live in some of these areas, such as near 96th Street, because it has a giant hill spanning three blocks, or the Upper West Side, which only has one accessible train line. Terrain, tilted sidewalks, overcrowding, food deserts, barrier curbs—these are all concerns for wheelchair users. Sure, you’re by three different shops, but are they even accessible? The closest five blocks to your home will make or break your experience. I might live in accessible housing, but I rely on grocery delivery or caretaking in order to eat.

An example of how I tracked neighborhoods based on subway access during my housing search in 2024.

Create a list of neighborhoods that have accessible trains you would consider moving to, and list what train lines are available at these stations. And now for the fun part: see if those trains are even accessible. The MTA is oxymoronically shutting down accessibility to improve it, which means some accessible stations have only southbound or northbound services, or in the case of certain stations, zero elevator access. Zero. Despite being an accessible station, every single elevator is shut down for improvement. (I’m looking at you, 2025-era Dekalb Av.) And if an elevator is listed for “Capital Replacement” and the MTA swears it will open by Thursday, July 31, 2025, at 11:59PM, chances are it will be pushed back quarterly. One of the elevators at the Union Square station had an open date that was pushed back for at least two quarters before it finally opened. If they say an elevator is operational in a month, add three to nine months on top of that. 

As I write this, Queens Plaza, Fordham Rd, Euclid Av, Dekalb Av, 66 St - Lincoln Center, and 161 St - Yankee Stadium are completely shut down accessibility-wise, but are still considered accessible stops. This is why having numerous train options, or being a taxi ride away from another accessible station, may help you avoid becoming housebound by the nature of trains.

Using Social Media to Find NYC Housing

Back in the day, I would use housing groups on Facebook that listed sublets and lease takeovers to find rooms. People tend not to post about building access, but they will mention if there are elevators, and then it’s good to check Google Street View to see if there are any steps into the building. There is a queer housing group where posting access is required, but it seems like every queer person in Brooklyn lives in a walkup. Some queer people find housing through Lex as well, and there are websites that allow people to list open rooms if you’re interested in living with strangers.

These popular Facebook housing groups are a good place to find people who might:

• Want to find a place and sign a lease with you

• Have a room opening up, which may be the easiest way for you to sign a lease or sublet a room in an accessible building

• Be as desperate as you are

Additionally, if you need to live with a roommate, you can find an accessible two-bedroom on your own and post in a group to see if someone wants to split with you. People in your network might know someone looking, so reach out to friends or post on your story if you need. Even posting a TikTok can help you find housing. 

Come up with an easy message for you and your friends to share: 

“Hi! I’m Ray, a 28-year-old marketing director. I’m seeking a female, trans, or non-binary roommate(s), late 20s-30s preferably, to sign a lease with me by August 1st. My budget is up to $2000, and I’m looking for housing near Columbus Circle or Hell’s Kitchen. My non-negotiables are: an accessible building with an elevator or a ground-floor apartment, a dishwasher, and a tub. I’m also willing to sign a lease if there’s a room available somewhere! Reach out to me on Instagram @raywhatever.”*

*None of this is true. Please don't reach out to me.

Using Real Estate Agents and Realtors in NYC

My favorite part of moving is when I get to pay thousands of dollars in fees and expenses. If you can work with a realtor, this will probably be your most fruitful option.  

I had a great experience in the past with a realtor who understood I needed wheelchair access, but ultimately, my applications were denied for those units (rude), and I ended up in a completely different neighborhood in a completely different borough. If you are transparent about your needs, people will be willing to help. 

Just get in at the ground floor (haha). Find a listing for an accessible place, and if that doesn’t work for you, let them know you’re looking for something similar. I say this as someone who (briefly) worked in real estate: there are options you don’t know about, and they have connections to people with accessible spaces. Real estate agents love their cell phones, so feel free to cold call a bunch of them until someone picks up. Worked for me!

I have had great experiences with Bruma Realty, Douglas Elliman, and Nooklyn. 

Accessible NYC Buildings

Some buildings are not accessible in the ways we would hope. They might have an elevator, but two steps down into the lobby (but a ramp can fix that!), or even if they are easy to get into, the hallways and units are too narrow for wheelchair navigation. What we want in housing is considered “luxury” by most—elevators, in-unit or in-building laundry access, central air, dishwashers, wide hallways, large bathrooms, and navigable kitchens. 

It’s also good to check a building's elevator status history. I am blessed to live in a building with two elevators, which has made a huge difference. In the past, I lived in a building where the elevator regularly went out despite being brand new. People can report elevators that become out of order in buildings to 311. To check if your prospective building has frequent elevator outages, use the HPD lookup service.

New builds are generally your best bet if they are in your price range. Lottery apartments are in these new builds, and have the ADA-compliant access you need. I live in a building that opened in 2019. When I was looking for housing, I specifically targeted newer buildings. You’re just more likely to find access that way. When I spoke to a disability service provider at the time, she told me, “You won’t find anything in Manhattan! Maybe Brooklyn or the Bronx! That’s where all the new buildings are going up!” And she was right.

If you cannot physically make it to the building to assess access, ask a trusted friend to tour a listing for you. Communicate how wide the hallways need to be for your wheelchair, ask for videos and photos of the unit and inside the elevator, and make sure you can access the amenities, such as package rooms and laundry. It’s so defeating when you find a great place in a great location and then realize it has a tight Pullman kitchen. My access needs could differ greatly from yours, and yours from someone else’s, and housing is not one-size-fits-all. Even more, accessing ADA-compliant housing is a time-consuming process that requires patience and is nearly impossible to acquire in a pinch. Every wheelchair user, every disabled person has vastly different experiences. 

The shortage of accessible housing is why so many disabled people are housebound, impoverished, unhoused, incarcerated, or institutionalized—the options aren’t great for us. If we can’t work jobs that pay us a livable wage, which for a disabled person is greater than that of a non-disabled person (considering we have to pay hundreds to thousands more a month in disability tax!), then we can’t survive or even have a roof over our heads. 

Before earning my current salary, I lived in an inaccessible building that I needed help getting in and out of. I couldn’t go food shopping on my own, do my laundry, or go outside whenever I wanted. (Although I still rely on others to go food shopping and get my laundry done, among other caretaking needs.) It took financial stability to live in accessible housing for the first time. I am incredibly privileged to have the housing I have today, despite it taking up 50% of my income. Even if it costs me more than I’d like to admit, I can at least leave the building. I can at least see the trees, touch leaves, and hear the birds sing. I no longer spend days or weeks on end in a tiny room with a window facing an alley, watching the stray black cat stalk pigeons and rats, wishing I could go wherever I wanted to go whenever I wanted to leave. Having this accessible housing, for me, has been my greatest wealth.

But it shouldn’t be like this. Disabled people, especially disabled people who are low-income or zero-income, are burdened by society. We are picked apart by bureaucracy and barriers until we are bone. My hope for all wheelchair users is that they can find the accessible, clean, affordable, and safe housing they need to survive. While this piece was written for wheelchair users who may have higher incomes or stronger support networks that can help them find housing, I was once without that, and I understand how hard it can be, having been housing insecure and homeless before. I hope my advice and personal experience can reassure others, especially disabled folks moving to New York City, people who have become disabled and are struck with the sudden need for access, people trying to find homes for their loved ones in wheelchairs, and disabled people who are afraid of New York City housing barriers. It’s a tumultuous, scary, and intimidating process, but good things are possible with the proper support and guidance.

Social Services and Resources That May Help You Find Accessible, ADA-Compliant Housing

In the past, I’ve struggled to ask for help. Knowing what I know now, I would’ve followed up with every resource possible, a skill I only learned while trying to navigate the American healthcare system. Additionally, working in social services has taught me that people would love to help you if only you are willing to ask. 

While some of these places may not be able to support your needs based on your income or requirements, ask them: Can you refer me to an organization that would support my needs? Chances are, they are already trying to connect to other organizations that can best assist you. And if you are a student, your school’s Disability Services office should be able to help.

Here are some resources for ADA-accessible housing: 

Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities: This is a great place to start, especially if you are low- or zero-income. They offer a Housing 101 guide outlining all your options and possible accommodations. 

Affordable Housing Ambassadors: The Housing Ambassador Program “partners with community-based service providers in New York City who, primarily on a volunteer basis, help people prepare and apply for Housing Connect affordable housing lotteries.”

Brooklyn Public Library: Libraries are great resources! Your local library can point you in the right direction or refer you to the right place. They also offer an online resource that may best guide you best. Check out the tab labelled “Government Programs”—it 's easy to miss. 

Center for Independence of the Disabled, NY: I was referred to this organization for help applying to Access-a-Ride. They help disabled individuals access housing and know what’s available. 

There are many organizations, such as Breaking Ground, Community Access, S:US, NYC Anti-Violence Project, The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (The Center), The Women’s Prison Association, and others that can either connect you to the right places or offer you guidance. I feel immensely grateful to have had this opportunity to work in social services and understand how hardworking and generous case managers, program directors, social workers, and agencies can be. Truly, so many people in New York City are working to build and maintain affordable housing across all boroughs. They want to help you. 

If you’re stuck, try searching for:

• Transitional housing in NYC

• Permanent housing in NYC

• Supportive housing in NYC

• Permanent housing in NYC application 

• Housing for substance use disorder in NYC

• Housing for mentally ill adults in NYC

• Supportive Housing in [Neighborhood] NYC

• Supportive Housing in [Borough] NYC

• Housing for disabled people NYC

• ADA housing resources in NYC

• ADA-compliant housing in [Borough]

Reach out to me if you have any more questions.