As monthly costs for rent and mortgage payments continue to rise, there has been quite a recent buzz around affordable housing. You may be wondering how to get into the lottery for a chance to live with lower rent costs. The affordable housing schema is an enigma for many folks, but you can benefit significantly once you understand the ins and outs. This article will walk you through the basics and hopefully shed some light on that black box of mystery.
What is NYC Housing Connect?
NYC Housing Connect (found here) is the government-sponsored online portal where you can search real estate listings and apply for housing opportunities (both to rent and to own).
How Does It Work?
Search:
The first step is going to the website and searching by entering the number of people in your household and your household total income. The site will then provide you with all of the housing opportunities that you qualify to apply for. These results will include a summary, details, and map location, as well as the general status of “units still available” or “waitlist” for each listing. The summary includes information like the lottery dates, the address, the borough, and how many units are still available. By clicking on a listing, you can see further details such as: a list of amenities, who is responsible for utilities, parking and laundry details, interior and exterior photos and unit floor plans, a chart/list of available units and their respective income/household size requirements, and a map with nearby facilities like transit stops, schools, and hospitals.
Apply:
Now that you have browsed the housing opportunities you are eligible for; hopefully, you have found at least one or two properties to pursue further. The next step is to create an online account with NYC Housing Connect. Here, you can provide qualifying information about yourself and your household members. Be sure to update your details on the site whenever you have changes to your income or other entered data. Once your account is complete, select and apply to the properties you are most interested in. This is done by clicking “apply” on the listing. Be aware of lottery dates, and be sure to apply before your desired property lottery closes!
If you prefer to apply via paper application, you can send a request for an application to the address noted on the listing for each respective property.
Housing Ambassadors:
Need help with the application process? There are many housing ambassadors who are well-versed in the system and can help you navigate each step. A list of housing ambassadors and ways to contact them is found here. You can search this site by borough, language, and accessibility needs, or simply browse the general list of ambassadors.
Selection Process:
Each application is assigned a random number. If your number is selected, you will be notified that you have been chosen in a lottery.
The next step is to confirm your eligibility by providing necessary documentation such as proof of income for each household member, birth certificates and/or photo IDs of household members, and details about your current apartment. Required documentation is detailed in an “after you apply” checklist, available in 18 languages, the English version is here, additional languages in text and audio are here. It is best to gather the required documents ahead of time so that you are prepared to move quickly when you are selected. As you submit your documentation, you may also be asked to undergo a credit check. You can provide a positive rental history in lieu of a credit check.
After you have submitted documentation, you may or may not have your application approved. If your application is rejected, you can appeal within 10 days of your rejection letter postmark. Your appeal letter should include why you think you should be approved and additional supporting documents. If your appeal is not accepted, you can still file a complaint with HPD (Housing Preservation and Development) or HDC (Housing Development Corporation) within five days.
Remember, each property application is separate, so even if you do not qualify for one, you are still in the running for all of the others you have applied for.
Lease or Purchase:
Once you have been selected and confirmed your eligibility, facilitators will assist you in the remainder of the process, from working with developers to signing your lease or purchase to moving in. Often, you will need to move quickly once you are accepted, so be sure to check your current lease terms as you prepare for your next and more affordable home.
Key Points
- There is no application fee.
- You can apply online or by mail. To apply by mail, send a request for a paper application to the address specified for the listing you are interested in. There is a different address for each listing, so make sure you submit the correct one for your desired housing location.
- You can apply to more than one property simultaneously. But be sure not to apply for the same lottery twice, as you will be disqualified.
- It may take up to several months for your application(s) to be processed. You can keep up with the status of your applications via your online dashboard on the site.
- Two helpful tips are to start saving records to keep aware of your credit and rental history.
- Section 8 vouchers can be applied to NYC Housing Connect applications. Minimal income requirements do not apply but provided voucher amounts do count towards maximum income requirements.
- Asset limits do apply; this refers to bank accounts, investments, and other savings. See here for details.
- Each property has a few “set-aside” units for residents with hearing, vision, and mobility disabilities. These units are equipped with physical accommodations for respective access needs.
- Other FAQs can be found here.
More and more affordable housing opportunities are springing up across the five boroughs. You might be surprised what you can qualify for!
Leland is a writer and curator, passionate about the arts and real estate.She especially wants to share clear details about the housing market so that prospective buyers and tenants can make their best-informed decisions.
FAQs
How does NYC Housing Connect work? ›
How does Housing Connect work? Through Housing Connect, you can find and apply for affordable rental and homeownership opportunities. To qualify, your household must meet the income and size requirements for a unit in the affordable development. Your household is all of the people who will live in the affordable unit.
Who is eligible for NYC Housing Connect? ›In order to be eligible, you must be 18 years old, and your household income needs to be in a specific range for each affordable housing opportunity. Applicants will be required to meet additional guidelines, including asset limits, and tenant selection criteria to qualify.
How long does it take to get approved for housing Connect NYC? ›A property may receive from 1,000 to 40,000 or more applications. You may hear about the status of your application within two to ten months after the deadline. However, because there are so many applications, you may not be contacted, even if you qualify for the property for which you applied.
Is NYC Housing Connect only for NYC residents? ›NYC Housing Connect is New Yorkers' portal to find and apply for affordable rental and homeownership opportunities across the five boroughs of New York City.
What credit score do you need for NYC Housing Connect? ›You may be accepted with a FICO credit score of 580 without further review of financial stability. If your score is below 580, you may not be rejected unless you fail to meet other factors associated to eviction/landlord-tenant action and other credit findings.
What happens after housing connect interview? ›After your interview a City employee will review your file for accuracy and may contact you if there are any questions. If your eligibility is confirmed you may be placed on a waiting list or invited to sign a lease. If you are found ineligible you will receive a rejection letter.
How do you get picked for NYC Housing Connect? ›You are most likely to be contacted if you are randomly assigned a low log number or you qualify for a preference. If your log number comes up, the developer will contact you to submit documents. This is to confirm that you meet eligibility criteria.
What documents are needed for NYC Housing Connect? ›- Copies of last 4 to 6 most recent consecutive pay stubs.
- Copies of last year's W-2 forms (all pages)
- Copies of signed & completed most recent year's federal and state tax returns.
- Letter from all former employers in the current year and prior year, stating last date of employment.
KNOW YOUR CREDIT HISTORY
Landlords can't disqualify you based on your credit score alone, but they may check your credit history.
The New York Times estimated that applicants have about a 1 in 592 chance of winning the housing lottery.
How can I increase my chances of winning the NYC housing lottery? ›
- Be persistent and keep applying.
- Only submit one application per building.
- Keep your information up to date.
- Get your paperwork together.
- Apply to apartments in your community board.
A review by THE CITY of more than 18 million applications to the NYC Housing Connect system between January 2014 and March 2019 shows that for every one of the 21,382 new apartments built as part of Mayor Bill de Blasio's Housing New York plan, 314 eligible applications poured in.
How does NYC affordable housing work? ›Affordable housing has income and credit requirements and it is for various income ranges. Applications are picked through a lottery system. When an applicant is chosen through the lottery, they have made it to the next step of the process and have to go to an interview to submit required documents.
Is NYC Housing Connect Section 8? ›Section 8 vouchers can be applied to NYC Housing Connect applications. Minimal income requirements do not apply but provided voucher amounts do count towards maximum income requirements. Asset limits do apply; this refers to bank accounts, investments, and other savings.
How long does it take to get approved for NYCHA? ›You should receive an acknowledgement letter from NYCHA within 30 days of receiving your application. Your application will be good for two years from the day it is received.
What's the lowest credit score a landlord will accept? ›“Each landlord is different, but most landlords and property managers look for a credit score above 600,” Fluegge says. FICO® and VantageScore® credit scores typically range from 300 to 850. An applicant with a higher credit score might be considered to have shown a pattern of managing their finances responsibly.
Is it hard to get approved for an apartment in NYC? ›You will need to show an income of at least 40-50 times the monthly rent. You must show a secure and stable employment history. You must have a social security number. If you do not have a social security number or are not in the process of applying for one you must have a guarantor co-signing your lease.
How much is deposit for affordable housing? ›You must have a deposit of at least 10% of the property's purchase price. There is an eligibility calculator on the First Home Scheme website to help you see if you qualify.
What happens after you submit documents to NYC Housing Connect? ›Completed original paper applications must be returned by regular mail only. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered. After the deadline, applications are selected for review through a lottery process.
What questions are asked in a housing interview? ›- Can you tell me about your housing officer experience?
- How do you assess the needs of a client?
- What does customer service mean to you?
- What do you look for during a housing inspection?
- How would you have a positive effect on your colleagues and team?
What does under review mean on housing connect? ›
Under Review
A Case Manager is reviewing your recertification application.
...
You may be eligible for an apartment if:
| Person(s) in Family | Income Limits |
|---|---|
| 1 | $74,800 |
| 2 | $85,450 |
| 3 | $96,150 |
| 4 | $106,800 |
This includes tips, bonuses, overtime, and other kinds of pay. If you receive a W-2 tax form, that money is income from employment.
What happens at a housing interview? ›its more just going through all the information regarding your finances that you have supplied. They'll then inform you of how the system works & how long that you will be expected to wait, if they require any further info and what type of property you would qualify.
How can I get an apartment with low income in NYC? ›HUD helps apartment owners offer reduced rents to low-income tenants. To apply, contact or visit the management office of each apartment building that interests you. There are also several subsidized rental programs administered by New York State and New York City listed below.
How to get affordable housing in NYC? ›You may view all currently available affordable housing opportunities by visiting the NYC Housing Connect online portal. NYC Housing Connect is a portal for New Yorkers to find and apply for affordable housing opportunities across the five boroughs of New York City.
What documents are needed to apply for housing subsidy? ›Proof of monthly income. Home loan approval in principle/ Grant letter from an accredited Lender. Agreement of sale for the residential property. Building Contract and approved Building Plan (where applicable).
Which credit score is used for housing? ›The scoring model used in mortgage applications
While the FICO® 8 model is the most widely used scoring model for general lending decisions, banks use the following FICO scores when you apply for a mortgage: FICO® Score 2 (Experian) FICO® Score 5 (Equifax) FICO® Score 4 (TransUnion)
Rental denials do not show up on your credit report. If a landlord denies housing to a tenant or charges higher rent due to information in their credit report, the landlord must disclose how they obtained that information. The prospective tenant is then entitled to a free credit report.
What is the credit score for housing? ›Conventional Loan Requirements
It's recommended you have a credit score of 620 or higher when you apply for a conventional loan. If your score is below 620, lenders either won't be able to approve your loan or may be required to offer you a higher interest rate, which can result in higher monthly payments.
Do you have to show your face if you win the lottery in NYC? ›
New York requires anyone who wins more than $5,000 to have their identity revealed by NY Lottery.
Is NYC housing lottery random? ›In each lottery, a computer randomly assigns numbers to each application. The lower the number, the more likely the applicant will be contacted to potentially win an apartment.
What is low income in NYC 2022? ›The AMI for all cities across the country is defined each year by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The 2022 AMI for the New York City region is $120,100 for a three-person family (100% AMI).
What are the odds of winning a House lottery? ›The odds range from $5 – 1 Ticket to $1000 – $250 Tickets and your chances of winning depend on the odd you choose. For instance, for Draw 372, the chance of winning for a $5 – 1 Ticket is 1:28,000,000 while the chance for winning for a $1000 – 250 Tickets is 1:11,200.
What does pending mean on NYC Housing Connect? ›It means that you still haven't been approved to rent the apartment that you applied for. They must be running a thorough background check and it takes time to get all of the information back so the landlord or property management company can make their decision.
What is the maximum income for Section 8 in NYC? ›...
Income Limits.
| Family Size | Annual Income ($) |
|---|---|
| 1 Person | $46,700 |
| 2 Persons | $53,400 |
| 3 Persons | $60,050 |
| 4 Persons | $66,700 |
How does the program work? Under the HRA HOME TBRA program, households will generally pay 30% of adjusted income toward rent for an approved apartment and the HOME TBRA subsidy covers the rest. “Adjusted income” means a household's income after deductions that are allowed under the program.
How long is the wait for senior housing in NYC? ›Today, New York City doesn't have enough affordable senior housing to meet current demand. Affordable senior housing does exist – public, private, and combinations of the two – but waiting lists are seven to 10-years long, and you can't get on them until you turn 62.
What is the most to qualify for low income housing? ›HUD sets the lower income limits at 80% and very low-income limits at 50% of the median income for the county or metropolitan area in which you choose to live. Income limits vary from area to area so you may be eligible at one HA but not at another.
Who is eligible for affordable housing Act? ›Your household income must be under $100,000 for any number of adults and up to two (2) children under 18. This threshold increases to: $116,000 for households with 3 children, $132,000 for households with 4 children; and.
What is the criteria for affordable housing? ›
Shared ownership buyers need household incomes that let them afford to pay between 25% and 75% of the full market value of the property. They're also expected to have a 10% mortgage deposit for the share to be purchased. Mortgage amount and repayments are then lower than buying a property on the open market.
How long is the wait for NYC Housing Connect? ›You may hear about the status of your application within two to ten months after the deadline. However, because there are so many applications, you may not be contacted, even if you qualify for the property for which you applied.
Who is priority for NYCHA? ›Families who are homeless, involuntarily displaced, living in substandard housing, doubled-up or overcrowded in private housing, paying more than 50% of family gross income for rent, legally doubled-up and overcrowded in NYCHA public housing or victim of a hate or bias crime.
Can I live in NYCHA with no income? ›As a public housing resident, your rent will always be 30 percent of your household income. If you have no income at this time, your rent will be zero.
Do people in NYCHA pay rent? ›After reviewing the household composition, income, assets, and expenses listed in the Public Housing Affidavit of Income, NYCHA sets the household's rent at either 30% of the household's adjusted gross income or the flat rent, whichever is lower.
What are the chances of winning NYC housing lottery? ›The New York Times estimated that applicants have about a 1 in 592 chance of winning the housing lottery.
How do you win New York housing Connect lottery? ›NYC Housing Connect, as the housing lottery website is officially known, accepts applicants from a range of income levels. To qualify, you need to fall within a specific lottery's required income range. Income requirements are based on the Area Median Income, or AMI, and will vary from one lottery to the next.
Does NYC Housing Connect check credit? ›Landlords can't disqualify you based on your credit score alone, but they may check your credit history.
What documents do you need for NYC Housing Connect? ›- Copies of last 4 to 6 most recent consecutive pay stubs.
- Copies of last year's W-2 forms (all pages)
- Copies of signed & completed most recent year's federal and state tax returns.
- Letter from all former employers in the current year and prior year, stating last date of employment.
The London Help to Buy scheme allows you to buy a new home in London with the help of a Government equity loan. The loan will be up to 40% of the cost of the property and is interest-free for the first five years. You will need a minimum 5% deposit and a 55% mortgage to make up the rest.
How can I get an apartment with low-income in NYC? ›
HUD helps apartment owners offer reduced rents to low-income tenants. To apply, contact or visit the management office of each apartment building that interests you. There are also several subsidized rental programs administered by New York State and New York City listed below.