The Complete Guide to the NYC Housing Lottery (2026 Edition)

The NYC Housing Lottery—officially managed through NYC Housing Connect—is the City of New York's centralized system for matching eligible applicants with income-restricted affordable housing opportunities across all five boroughs.

Every year, thousands of New Yorkers apply for these lotteries, hoping to secure rent-stabilized apartments at below-market rates.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the NYC housing lottery in 2025, from eligibility requirements to application strategies, document preparation, and common pitfalls to avoid.

The NYC Housing Lottery is a randomized selection process used by NYC HPD and HDC to allocate affordable housing units in income-restricted buildings.

How the System Works: Listings Open (new developments posted with 60–90 day deadlines), Applications Submitted (online, mail, or in person), Random Selection (computerized lottery ranks all eligible applications), Log Numbers Assigned (selected applicants receive position numbers), Document Review (verify income, household size, eligibility), Interview & Approval (qualified applicants attend interviews and sign leases).

Important: Applying to a lottery does not guarantee housing. Most lotteries receive thousands of applications for just a handful of units.

Basic Eligibility Criteria: Residency (must live or work in NYC), Income Limits (household income must fall within the AMI range specified by each lottery), Household Size (must align with bedroom count), Credit & Rental History (poor credit or eviction history can impact approval).

Understanding AMI (Area Median Income): AMI is the midpoint income for households in the NY metro area, adjusted annually by HUD. NYC lotteries target different AMI bands: 30% AMI (Extremely low income), 40%–50% AMI (Very low income), 60% AMI (Low income – most common), 80% AMI (Moderate income), 100%–130% AMI (Middle income – less common).

Income Calculation: Your household income includes wages and salaries, self-employment income, Social Security benefits, child support and alimony, unemployment benefits, and investment income. Income is calculated before taxes and deductions. Add up all sources for every adult household member.

Step 1: Create an NYC Housing Connect Account - Visit housingconnect.nyc.gov and create a free account to browse lotteries, save application drafts, and track submitted applications.

Step 2: Browse Available Lotteries - Use search filters to find lotteries by Borough (Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island), Bedroom Count (Studio, 1BR, 2BR, 3BR+), and Income Band (based on your household's gross income).

Step 3: Read the Listing Carefully - Each lottery provides building address and amenities, rent range, income requirements by household size, application deadline, and required documents.

Step 4: Submit Your Application - Apply online (fastest method), by mail (download and mail paper application), or in person (drop off at developer's office). Critical: Only submit one application per lottery. Duplicate applications will disqualify you.

Step 5: Wait for Your Log Number - After the deadline, HPD conducts the random lottery. If selected, you'll receive a log number by mail indicating your place in line. Timeline: Log numbers are typically issued 2–4 months after the application deadline.

Income Verification: Last 2 years of tax returns, last 4 pay stubs, employer letter stating salary, proof of other income (Social Security, child support, etc.).

Identity & Residency: Government-issued photo ID, proof of NYC residency (utility bill, lease, bank statement).

Household Composition: Birth certificates for children, Social Security cards for all household members, proof of relationship (marriage certificate, custody papers, etc.).

Financial Documents: Last 2 months of bank statements, credit report, list of assets (savings, investments, property). Pro Tip: Organize these documents in advance. Missing or incomplete documentation is the #1 reason applicants are disqualified after selection.

Mistake 1: Applying to the Wrong AMI Band - If your income is too high or too low for the lottery's AMI range, you'll be automatically disqualified. Always double-check income limits before applying.

Mistake 2: Submitting Duplicate Applications - Submitting more than one application per lottery—even through different methods—will disqualify all your entries.

Mistake 3: Misreporting Household Size - Your household size must match the number of people who will live in the unit. Misrepresenting this can lead to disqualification.

Mistake 4: Incomplete Applications - Missing required fields or documents will delay processing or result in rejection.

Mistake 5: Ignoring Follow-Up Requests - If HPD contacts you for documents or an interview, respond immediately. Delays can result in losing your spot.

The timeline varies significantly: Log Number Issuance (2–4 months after application deadline), Document Request (6–18 months after receiving log number if selected), Interview & Approval (1–3 months after submitting documents), Lease Signing (1–6 months after approval).

Reality Check: From application to move-in, the process can take 1.5 to 3+ years. Many applicants never hear back because thousands of people apply for just a few units.

Apply to Multiple Lotteries - There's no limit on the number of lotteries you can enter (as long as you only submit one application per listing). Applying to 10+ lotteries significantly increases your odds.

Target Less Popular Boroughs - Lotteries in the Bronx and Staten Island typically receive fewer applications than those in Brooklyn or Manhattan.

Consider Larger Units - If your household qualifies for a 2BR or 3BR, competition is often lower than for studios or 1BRs.

Keep Your Documents Ready - Having organized paperwork allows you to respond quickly when contacted, preventing delays that could cost you your spot.

Use an Alert Service - Services like NYC Housing Lottery Alerts monitor Housing Connect and notify you immediately when new lotteries matching your criteria open, so you never miss a deadline.

The NYC Housing Lottery is competitive, but understanding the process, maintaining accurate documentation, and applying strategically can significantly improve your chances.

Remember to apply to multiple lotteries, respond quickly to HPD requests, and keep your income and household information up to date throughout the process.

With patience and persistence, the NYC Housing Lottery can provide access to affordable housing that would otherwise be out of reach in one of the world's most expensive cities.