WFF Housing Stability Grant for Artists in US

The WFF Grant is offered to artists in recognition of the increasing unaffordability of rental housing in New York City, and the housing insecurity it creates for artists.

The WFF HSG hopes that recipients will be able to remain in, or find, reliable and stable housing for at least three years, thereby allowing them to focus on their creative practice and build more sustainable careers. Recipients may use the funds for new housing which reduces their rent obligation, guarantees a stable rental obligation such as a lengthy lease in their existing or new housing, and/or provides greater access to live/work space.

Funding Information

• A grant of $30,000 will be distributed over three years.

Eligibility Criteria

• Individual Eligibility:
  • Applicants must:
    • Be 21 years or older
    • Reside in one of the five boroughs of New York City: Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens or Staten Island
    • Have maintained New York City residency for at least the last five consecutive years. A short (12 months or less) absence in 2020/2021 due to COVID-19 may have occurred
    • Have an adjusted gross income of $75,000 or lower for an individual, or $150,000 for joint filers, averaged over the last two federal tax returns (include wages, 1099 income, Social Security income, sales/royalties from artwork or properties, rental income, interest income or spousal support)
    • Have household assets no greater than $108,710 ($155,300 for joint filers) as of the application deadline. Household assets include savings accounts, checking accounts, trusts, cash savings, investment assets (stocks/bonds etc.) and the entire market value of any interest in real property (residential, commercial, land, shares in a co-op, etc.)
    • Not currently own or have equity in a primary or secondary residence
    • Not currently be receiving rental assistance through a program including, but not limited to, Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Section 8 project-Based Voucher (PBV), Family Eviction Prevention Supplement (FEPS or CityFHEPS), Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH), or a tenant in Public Housing or Section 202 (Supportive Housing for the Elderly)
    • Not be enrolled in a degree-seeking program of any kind
    • Demonstrate recent and ongoing activity as a visual artist.
• Artistic Eligibility:
  • Applications are open to artists in need who are creating original, independent work in the visual arts and are seeking support for stable housing. Only generative artists—the creator of the original work—may apply.
  • Applicants must:
    • Be practicing visual artists within the one or more of the following discipline categories:
      • Painting
      • Photography
      • Printmaking/Drawing/Book Arts
      • Sculpture
    • Be able to demonstrate a proven track record of their commitment to their contemporary art practice for at least the last seven years. This can be demonstrated through any of the following:
      • Public showings of their work including exhibitions, presentations, installations, or workshops
      • Public/community projects such as public art, murals, or community-based projects with public components
      • Participation in artist residency, fellowship, or grant programs
      • Documentation of art sales
      • Reduced activity during the pandemic (2020-21) is acceptable.
• Emergency Eligibility:
  • Applicants must be experiencing housing instability through one or more of the following circumstances:
    • Not having a lease or written agreement with the owner/landlord of your housing, or a sublease with tenant of record
    • Currently in a month-to-month or other uncertain housing situation
    • Currently be paying more than 40% of your income in rent (including utilities)
    • Have received notice of a rent increase within the next six months that will increase your rent to 40% or more of your income
    • Needing to leave your current housing because of an unexpected partnership dissolution, for your physical or emotional safety, or because of an unhealthy condition such as mold, lack of utilities or hazardous conditions.

Ineligibility Criteria

• Currently unhoused artists are not eligible. This is a pilot program that provides rent subsidies to artists who are currently renting in NYC.
• Work for hire or mass produced work is not eligible.

For more information, visit NYFA.