How to improve your chances to win affordable housing in New York City

NEW YORK, N.Y. (PIX11) — New Yorkers looking for affordable housing may find the application process daunting but luckily, New York City offers several resources to ease the process.

First, New Yorkers need to check if they are eligible for affordable housing. Qualified people’s income is based on a household’s percentage of the Area Median Income, which the government sets yearly. You must be at least 18 years old and meet additional guidelines set according to the city.

Thousands of NYC jobs available on city’s website

The Departments of Housing Preservation and Development can assist with their network of community-based service providers around New York City. With the Housing Ambassadors Program, you can connect with a nonprofit that can help you gain information and additional help with the housing lottery application. With over 60 nonprofits available, you can visit the Housing Ambassadors Program to find an ambassador here.

The city’s “Ready to Rent” program is one of the first steps New Yorkers should take when exploring the housing lottery. The program offers free financial counseling and free application assistance to ensure a stronger application that helps you stand out from other applicants.

“Financial counselors will help you check your credit, calculate your income for housing applications, and save for moving expenses,” according to the city’s website.

Those interested in the Ready to Rent program can learn more here.

One of the most important things to do is sign up for NYC Housing Connect. This portal allows you to submit an application for the city’s lotteries.

Find a job in NY: 6 job fairs scheduled in March

Another option is the NYC Housing Connect Zoom classes offered by the city. The hour-long classes will help those playing the lottery familiarize themselves with the NYC Housing Connect portal. The classes teach how to prepare for the process and what to expect after applying. The next class will be on March 21 at 6 p.m. and is held monthly.

For more information on affordable housing resources in New York City, click here.

Jonathan Rizk is a digital journalist who has covered local news in the New York City and Washington D.C. areas. He has been with PIX11 since August 2022. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.