How to Apply for Housing Lotteries

Available affordable housing units can be found online at:

Each provide similar lists of available units. It’s good to check these lists regularly because they do change when new buildings come online.

Applicants can click on the individual housing opportunities from the lists above to look at the specific eligibility requirements and application instructions. You can request an application by sending a postcard or a self-addressed envelope to the address provided for each development, or you can go in person to the address provided to pick up an application. Another option is to create an account and apply online through NYC Connect. You can apply for as many opportunities as you are eligible for, but it is important to pay attention to the deadline for applying and to make sure that you only submit one application for each development. Submitting more than one application for a specific development will often disqualify you entirely from that lottery.

In addition to the housing lotteries, affordable housing units may become available when tenants move out. How these vacancies are filled depends on the application process for the particular housing development. Wait lists are typically long, but applicants can contact individual management companies to find out how to apply to be on the wait list for their developments.

Lists of affordable housing developers and management companies are available through the Association for Neighborhood Housing and Development (ANHD) and New York State Homes and Community Renewal.

For more information on the process for getting placed into housing through housing lotteries click here.