NYC Housing Lottery Documents Checklist

Getting selected for an NYC Housing Lottery is just the beginning. The document review phase is where many applicants are disqualified—not because they don't qualify, but because they can't produce required paperwork within the strict 10-14 day deadline.

This comprehensive checklist covers every document HPD and marketing agents typically request, organized by category with specific requirements and common pitfalls.

Being document-ready before you're selected can mean the difference between moving into an affordable apartment and losing your spot to the next log number.

Government-issued photo ID (REQUIRED for all adults 18+): Valid driver's license, passport, state-issued ID card, military ID, or permanent resident card. Expired IDs are NOT accepted.

Social Security cards or ITINs (REQUIRED for everyone): Original Social Security cards for all household members, including children. If you don't have a Social Security number, provide Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) documentation.

Birth certificates (REQUIRED for all household members): Official birth certificates issued by the vital records office of the state where each person was born. Hospital birth records are NOT accepted.

Marriage certificate (if applicable): If you and your partner are married and applying together, provide an official marriage certificate. Common-law marriages are NOT recognized.

Divorce decree (if applicable): If you were previously married and are now divorced, provide the official divorce decree showing the marriage was legally dissolved.

Custody papers (if applicable): If you have shared custody of children, provide court-issued custody agreements specifying custody arrangements and which household the child legally belongs to.

Name change documents (if applicable): If your name on your ID doesn't match your Social Security card or birth certificate (due to marriage, divorce, or legal name change), provide court-issued name change documentation.

Common mistakes: Submitting photocopies instead of originals during in-person interviews, expired IDs, mismatched names across documents, missing Social Security cards for children.

Federal tax returns (REQUIRED, last 2 years): Complete IRS Form 1040 with all schedules and attachments for the most recent 2 tax years. If you filed jointly, both names must be on the return. If you filed separately, each adult must provide their own return.

W-2 forms (REQUIRED if employed): All W-2 forms for the last 2 years from every employer. If you had 3 jobs in 2024, provide all 3 W-2s.

1099 forms (REQUIRED if self-employed or freelance): All 1099-MISC, 1099-NEC, or 1099-INT forms showing income from self-employment, freelance work, or investments.

Pay stubs (REQUIRED, last 4-6 consecutive): Your most recent 4-6 consecutive pay stubs showing gross income, deductions, and year-to-date earnings. They must be consecutive (e.g., bi-weekly stubs from the last 8-12 weeks).

Employer verification letter (REQUIRED if employed): A letter on company letterhead signed by your employer or HR department stating your job title, start date, current salary, and employment status (full-time, part-time). Include supervisor contact info.

Unemployment benefit statements (if receiving benefits): Official documentation from NYS Department of Labor showing weekly benefit amount and duration of benefits.

Social Security benefit statements (if receiving SSI, SSDI, or retirement): Most recent Social Security Administration award letter or benefit statement showing monthly benefit amount.

Child support or alimony documentation (if receiving): Court order specifying payment amount and frequency, plus bank statements showing recent deposits.

Pension or retirement income statements (if applicable): Most recent pension statement, 401(k) distribution letter, or IRA withdrawal documentation.

Self-employment profit/loss statements (if self-employed): Detailed profit/loss statement for the last 2 years, prepared by a tax professional or accountant if your business income is complex.

Common mistakes: Pay stubs that aren't consecutive, tax returns without all schedules, missing 1099 forms, employer letters without contact information, unsigned documents.

Proof of NYC residency (REQUIRED if you live in NYC): Current lease or rent receipt with your name and NYC address, utility bill (electric, gas, water) from the last 60 days, bank statement with NYC address, voter registration card, or NYC municipal ID.

Proof of NYC employment (REQUIRED if you work but don't live in NYC): Most recent pay stub showing employer's NYC address, employer verification letter on company letterhead with NYC address, or W-2 form showing NYC employer.

Lease or rental agreement (current residence): Your current lease or rental agreement showing your address, monthly rent, and landlord contact information.

Landlord reference letter (sometimes requested): A letter from your current or previous landlord stating you paid rent on time, were a good tenant, and have no outstanding issues.

Utility bills (last 2 months): Recent utility bills (electric, gas, water, internet) in your name showing you live at your stated address.

Common mistakes: Using P.O. boxes as proof of address (not accepted), providing out-of-state utility bills when claiming NYC residency, employer letters without NYC address.

Bank statements (REQUIRED, last 2-3 months): Complete bank statements for all checking and savings accounts held by all adults in the household. Statements must show account holder name, account number, and all transactions.

Investment account statements (if applicable): Statements for stocks, bonds, mutual funds, retirement accounts (401k, IRA), or other investments.

Real estate holdings (if applicable): Property deeds, mortgage statements, or property tax bills for any real estate you own (including properties outside NYC).

Vehicle registration (if applicable): Registration documents for all vehicles owned by household members.

Life insurance policies (if applicable): Policies with cash value (whole life, universal life) must be documented. Term life insurance without cash value doesn't need to be reported.

Business ownership documentation (if applicable): If you own a business, provide business license, EIN documentation, and recent business bank statements.

Large deposit explanations (CRITICAL): If any bank statement shows deposits over $1,000 that aren't from employment, you MUST provide written explanations. Examples: Gifts from family (provide gift letter), loan repayments (provide loan documentation), tax refunds (provide IRS documentation).

Common mistakes: Missing bank statements for secondary accounts, failing to explain large deposits, not reporting assets you think are "small" (HPD wants to see everything), providing statements that are too old.

Credit report (HPD will pull this, but you should review it first): HPD and marketing agents run credit checks on all applicants. You don't submit this, but you should check your credit report for errors before the interview.

Housing court history (HPD will check this): HPD searches NYC Housing Court records for evictions, judgments, or ongoing cases. If you have past housing court issues, prepare an explanation letter.

Criminal background check (sometimes required): Some buildings require criminal background checks. If you have a criminal record, it may not automatically disqualify you—but you should prepare an honest explanation.

Previous landlord contact information: Names and phone numbers for landlords from the last 2-3 addresses.

Eviction explanation letter (if applicable): If you were previously evicted, write a detailed letter explaining the circumstances, what you've done to resolve the issue, and why it won't happen again.

Housing court judgment explanation (if applicable): If you have outstanding housing court judgments, provide documentation showing you're making payments or have resolved the issue.

Common mistakes: Assuming past evictions automatically disqualify you (they don't always—context matters), lying about rental history (HPD verifies everything), not addressing negative credit items proactively.

Community board preference proof: Utility bill, lease, or official document showing you've lived in the community board for at least 6 months.

Municipal employee preference: Letter from your NYC agency HR department confirming your employment status and start date.

Veteran preference: DD-214 form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) proving veteran status.

Disability preference: Letter from a doctor or medical professional documenting your disability and any accessibility needs.

Domestic violence survivor documentation (if claiming DV priority): Court order of protection, police report, or letter from a domestic violence service provider.

Homeless or displaced tenant documentation: Letter from DHS, HRA, or a homeless services provider confirming your status.

Common mistakes: Not claiming preferences you're entitled to, failing to provide required proof, submitting expired documentation.

Create a master folder: Set up a physical folder and a digital folder (Google Drive, Dropbox) with all documents organized by category.

Label everything clearly: Name digital files clearly (e.g., "Smith_John_TaxReturn_2024.pdf", "Smith_Paystubs_Nov2025.pdf").

Make multiple copies: Keep originals in a safe place. Make photocopies for mailing and digital scans for email submissions.

Update quarterly: Every 3 months, update your folder with new pay stubs, bank statements, and any changed documents.

Create a checklist: Print this article and check off each document as you gather it. Don't wait until you're selected—prepare now.

Respond within 24-48 hours: When HPD requests documents, don't wait the full 10-14 days. Responding within 24-48 hours shows seriousness and can expedite processing.

Follow submission instructions exactly: Some agents want documents emailed as PDFs. Others want originals mailed. Others want in-person drop-off. Read the instructions carefully and follow them precisely.

Disqualification 1: Incomplete tax returns. HPD rejects tax returns missing schedules (Schedule C for self-employment, Schedule E for rental income, etc.). Submit COMPLETE returns.

Disqualification 2: Income doesn't match what you claimed on application. If you said you earn $60,000 but your pay stubs show $75,000, you'll be disqualified for misrepresentation.

Disqualification 3: Missing documents by deadline. HPD is strict about deadlines. Missing even one document can disqualify you. If you can't get something in time (e.g., employer is slow), notify HPD immediately.

Disqualification 4: Unexplained large deposits. A $5,000 deposit in your bank account with no explanation raises fraud concerns. Always provide explanations.

Disqualification 5: Household size doesn't match application. If you said your household is 2 people but submit birth certificates for 3 children, that's a mismatch.

Disqualification 6: Income exceeds AMI limit. If your income increased since applying and now exceeds the maximum, you no longer qualify.

How to avoid disqualification: Double-check everything, respond quickly, be honest, provide explanations for anything unusual, and keep copies of everything you submit.