Lotteries for affordable housing

NYC Housing Connect is an online portal where you can find an affordable apartment or home to rent or buy.

• Affordable housing costs about one-third or less of your household income.
  • Affordable rental units are regulated. This means the rent cannot go up too much over time.
  • Affordable homes that you can buy include condos, co-ops, and 1-4 family homes. The prices of these are restricted.
  • When you find one that you like, you can apply to its lottery.
  • Your household must meet that unit's income and size requirements to apply for its lottery.
  • You can apply regardless of your citizenship or immigration status.

  Who is eligible

  Each unit on NYC Housing Connect has certain requirements.

  • To apply to a unit’s lottery, your household must meet that unit’s income requirements.
  • The size of your household determines the income requirement you need to meet.
  • See the requirements for open units on NYC Housing Connect.

  Priority is given to NYC residents. You may be given preference for some units if you:

  • have a disability, or
  • are a senior, or
  • live in the same neighborhood of the housing opportunity you’re interested in

  What you need to apply

  You may need to submit documents if your application for a lottery is selected. These documents should prove your household’s:

  • employment income (like paystubs or W-2 forms)
  • income from other sources (like a rental voucher or public assistance)
  • assets (like bank or investment account statements)
  • You may also need documents to prove your rent payment history.
    • If you do not or cannot give your rent payment history, you can do a credit check instead.

    See the full list of documents that you might need.

    How to apply

    1. Create and complete your profile on NYC Housing Connect.
       • If you had a profile on the old portal, you must still create a profile on the new NYC Housing Connect portal.
    2. Search the open lotteries to find a housing unit that you like and are eligible for.
    3. Apply for the unit’s lottery.
       • You must apply before the deadline.
       • Some applicants may be reviewed first if they have a disability or live in the neighborhood.
       • It can take several months or longer to hear about your application. As you wait, make sure to keep your profile up to date with any changes (like your household income).

    You can also sign up for email updates for when new lotteries are accepting applications.

    How to get help

    Get Help In Person

    Get application assistance from an organization through Housing Ambassadors.

    Visit the website

    Read the FAQ about NYC Housing Connect.

    Email NYC Housing Connect

    Call the NYC Housing Connect Affordable Housing Hotline

    Call 212-863-7990. Calls may not be answered in real time, but you can leave a voicemail.

    Other Housing Programs

    Runaway And Homeless Youth Drop-In Centers

    NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD)

    Services and support for homeless youth

    Homeless youth ages 14–24 can receive help and referrals for emergency shelter.

    Homebase

    NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA)

    Services to help keep you in your home

    If you're at risk of homelessness, Homebase offers support to stay out of shelter and remain stably housed.