HPD Affordable Housing Lottery NYC 2026 | How to Apply & What to Expect
The HPD affordable housing lottery is New York City's primary program for distributing income-restricted, rent-stabilized apartments to eligible households. HPD stands for the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development — the city agency that finances, regulates, and oversees the construction of affordable housing developments across all five boroughs.
Here is a complete guide to how HPD lotteries work, who qualifies, and how to apply.
What Is the HPD Housing Lottery?
HPD does not run its own separate lottery portal. Instead, all HPD-financed affordable housing lotteries are posted on NYC Housing Connect (housingconnect.nyc.gov), the unified application platform for all NYC affordable housing programs.
When a new affordable building funded by HPD completes construction, the developer is required to offer income-restricted units through Housing Connect. A randomized computer lottery selects applicants from the pool who meet eligibility requirements.
HPD lotteries include units funded through programs such as:
- Affordable New York Housing Program (421-a) — Tax incentive for mixed-income new construction
- Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) — Required affordable units in areas with upzoning
- Supportive Housing — Units with on-site services for formerly homeless individuals
- Senior Housing — Units for adults 62 and older
- Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program — Federal tax credits used to finance affordable units
Who Is Eligible for HPD Lotteries?
Eligibility for HPD lotteries is determined by:
1. Income — Area Median Income (AMI) percentage
Each lottery unit type targets a specific AMI range. Most HPD lotteries cover bands from 30% to 130% AMI. A household must earn within the minimum and maximum for that band. Use the AMI calculator to check your eligibility.
2. Household size
Units are sized to households — studios for 1–2 people, 1-bedrooms for 1–3, 2-bedrooms for 2–5, 3-bedrooms for 3–7. Your household must fit the target size for the unit.
3. NYC residency or employment
You must currently live or work in New York City to apply. Priority preferences go to those in the same community board district, then the same borough, then all NYC residents/workers.
4. No disqualifying rental history
You must not have recent evictions for non-payment, housing fraud, or significant lease violations. Minor issues typically do not disqualify, but serious violations do.
5. Credit and background
HPD lotteries require a credit check, but poor credit alone does not automatically disqualify you. Factors like income stability and previous rental history weigh heavily in the decision.
How to Apply for an HPD Lottery — Step by Step
Step 1: Create a Housing Connect account
Go to housingconnect.nyc.gov and register for a free account. Complete your household profile with income, household members, and contact information. Keep this updated — it carries over to all applications.
Step 2: Find open HPD lotteries
Browse listings by borough, AMI band, and bedroom size. All HPD-financed affordable units appear here. You can also browse all open lotteries on this site.
Step 3: Read the full listing carefully
Each listing shows the building address, borough, rent amounts by unit type, income range (minimum and maximum by household size), deadline, and preference categories. Make sure you qualify before applying.
Step 4: Submit your application
Apply online through Housing Connect, by mail to the address listed, or in person at the building's management office during the application period. Apply only once per lottery — duplicate applications are disqualified.
Step 5: Wait for your log number
After the application deadline, a randomized lottery runs. All eligible applicants receive a log number. You will be contacted in log number order for document review and interviews.
What Happens After You Apply?
The timeline from application to move-in typically runs 12–24 months for HPD lotteries:
- Lottery runs — 2–4 weeks after the application deadline
- Log number assigned — Randomly determined; lower numbers are contacted first
- Document review — You submit tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, ID
- Interview — Meeting with the marketing agent to verify eligibility
- Approval and lease signing — If approved, you sign a lease and move in
Many people are on waitlists for months or years before their log number is called. If you are not selected in the first round, you may remain on a waitlist and be contacted if higher log numbers decline their units.
HPD vs HDC Lotteries — What Is the Difference?
Both HPD and HDC (NYC Housing Development Corporation) fund affordable housing and post lotteries through Housing Connect. The practical difference for applicants is minimal — both use the same application process and preference system.
HDC focuses more on middle-income and market-rate mixed-income developments, while HPD concentrates on lower-income affordable housing. You can apply to both through the same Housing Connect account.
Tips for HPD Lottery Applicants
- Apply to every lottery you qualify for — Not just one. Your odds improve significantly with volume
- Keep your Housing Connect profile current — Outdated information causes delays at the interview stage
- Do not miss document requests — When the marketing agent contacts you, respond promptly. Delays can result in your slot being offered to the next applicant
- Sign up for alerts — New HPD lotteries open constantly. Get email alerts so you are notified the moment a matching listing opens
Related Resources
- Browse All Open Lotteries — Current NYC Housing Connect listings
- Free AMI Calculator — Check your income eligibility instantly
- NYC Housing Lottery Income Limits 2026 — Full AMI table by household size
- NYCHA vs NYC Housing Lottery — Understanding the difference
- NYC Housing Lottery FAQ — Common application questions
- How to Apply for NYC Housing Lottery — Step-by-step guide