NYC Housing Connect Portal: Complete Access Guide 2026

The NYC Housing Connect portal is your gateway to applying for affordable housing lotteries across all five boroughs.

Whether you're a first-time user trying to create an account or an experienced applicant checking your application status, understanding how the portal works can save you hours of frustration and help you avoid costly mistakes.

This comprehensive guide walks you through every feature of the Housing Connect portal, from initial registration to checking your log number status, with troubleshooting tips for common issues.

NYC Housing Connect is the official online platform operated by NYC HPD for managing affordable housing lottery applications.

The portal allows you to: Browse current and upcoming housing lottery listings, submit online applications for multiple lotteries, track submitted applications and their status, save application drafts for completion later, receive notifications about new listings (when opted in), and view log numbers and next steps if selected.

Portal URL: housingconnect.nyc.gov. Accessibility: The portal is free to use and accessible 24/7 from any device with internet access.

Step 1: Navigate to the Portal - Go to housingconnect.nyc.gov and click "Create Account" or "Sign Up" in the top right corner.

Step 2: Enter Your Information - Provide Email Address (use a valid email you check regularly – this will be your username), Password (must be at least 8 characters with uppercase, lowercase, and numbers), First Name and Last Name (must match your legal name for document verification later), Date of Birth (required for eligibility verification), and Phone Number (optional but recommended for important notifications). Important: Use a personal email address you control. Do not use a work email that you might lose access to.

Step 3: Verify Your Email - Check your email inbox for a verification link from Housing Connect and click the link to activate your account. Troubleshooting: If you don't see the email within 5 minutes, check your spam/junk folder, make sure you entered your email correctly, or try resending the verification email from the login page.

Step 4: Complete Your Profile - Once verified, log in and complete your profile by adding current address (proof of NYC residency required for eligibility), household size, gross annual income (estimate), and preferred boroughs and bedroom counts. Pro Tip: Completing your profile helps filter listings that match your eligibility, saving you time browsing.

Dashboard Overview: After logging in, you'll see your personalized dashboard with Current Listings (open lotteries you can apply to now), Saved Listings (lotteries you've bookmarked to apply later), Submitted Applications (a list of all applications you've submitted), and Account Settings (where you update your contact info and preferences).

Browsing Available Lotteries: Click "Current Listings" to view all open housing lotteries. Use filters to narrow results by Borough (Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island), Bedroom Count (Studio, 1BR, 2BR, 3BR, 4BR+), Income Band (30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 80%, 100%, 130% AMI), and Unit Type (Family, Senior, Supportive Housing). Advanced Search Tip: If you know your AMI percentage, filter by income band first to avoid browsing lotteries you don't qualify for.

Reading a Lottery Listing: Each listing provides Building Details (address, neighborhood, amenities, unit mix, accessibility features), Income Requirements (minimum and maximum income by household size, AMI percentage target, annual income limits), Rent Information (rent range by unit type, utilities included/excluded, parking fees), and Application Details (application deadline, application methods, required documents, lottery date).

Online Application Process: Select a Lottery (click "Apply Now" on a listing you're eligible for), Review Eligibility (confirm your household income falls within the listed range), Fill Out the Application (provide accurate information about household composition, current address, gross annual income, employment information, household preferences), and Submit (click "Submit Application" before the deadline). Time to Complete: Most applications take 15–30 minutes to complete online.

Saving Application Drafts: If you need more time, click "Save for Later." Your draft will be stored in your account for up to 30 days or until the lottery deadline, whichever comes first. Warning: Draft applications are NOT submitted. You must return and click "Submit Application" before the deadline.

Submitting Multiple Applications: You can apply to as many different lotteries as you want, but only submit one application per lottery. Duplicate applications to the same lottery will disqualify you.

Application Status: After submitting, go to "My Applications" to view the status of all your submissions. Possible statuses include: Submitted (application received, waiting for lottery), In Review (lottery completed, HPD reviewing your application), Documents Requested (you've been selected, submit required documents within 10-14 days), Interview Scheduled (documents approved, attend interview), Approved (passed interview, waiting for unit availability), Waitlisted (not selected initially, but may be called if earlier applicants are disqualified), and Not Selected (not chosen in the lottery).

Log Number Notification: If selected, you'll receive a log number by mail (not email) 2–4 months after the application deadline. The log number indicates your position in line. Lower numbers are called first.

Responding to Document Requests: If you receive a document request (by mail or email), respond immediately. Missing the 10-14 day deadline moves you to the bottom of the waitlist or results in disqualification.

Issue 1: Can't Log In - Solution: Reset your password using the "Forgot Password" link. Check that you're using the correct email address. Clear your browser cache and cookies, or try a different browser.

Issue 2: Application Won't Submit - Solution: Ensure all required fields are completed (marked with asterisks). Check that your income falls within the lottery's minimum and maximum limits. Try submitting from a desktop computer instead of mobile if errors persist.

Issue 3: Confirmation Email Not Received - Solution: Check spam/junk folder. Add housingconnect@nyc.gov to your email whitelist. Log back into the portal and check "My Applications" to verify submission status.

Issue 4: Draft Application Expired - Solution: Draft applications expire 30 days after creation or at the lottery deadline, whichever comes first. If expired, you must start a new application if the lottery is still open.

Issue 5: Portal Running Slowly Near Deadline - Solution: Apply at least 48 hours before the deadline to avoid last-minute traffic surges. Try accessing the portal during off-peak hours (early morning or late night).

The NYC Housing Connect portal is an essential tool for accessing affordable housing in New York City.

By creating an account, completing your profile, and learning how to navigate the system effectively, you'll save time, avoid common mistakes, and improve your chances of securing affordable housing.

Remember to apply early, track your applications regularly, and respond immediately to any requests from HPD.