What Is My NYC Community Board District?

If you’ve ever applied (or thought about applying) to the NYC affordable housing lottery, you’ve probably seen references to “Community Board preferences” or “Community District preferences.”

But what exactly does that mean? Let’s break it down.

Map showing NYC Community Board districts for housing lottery applicants.

What is a Community Board District?

New York City is divided into 59 Community Districts, each with its own Community Board. These are local advisory groups that represent the interests of their neighborhoods. They play a big role in reviewing local issues, including affordable housing developments.

When it comes to housing lotteries, knowing your Community District is essential. Many affordable housing lotteries include a Community Preference, which can give you an advantage if you already live in the same district where the new building is located.

What is Community Preference?

Community Preference means that a certain percentage of units, generally 20%, are set aside for applicants who already live in the same Community District as the building. This is part of the city’s effort to support neighborhood stability and help existing residents stay in their communities as new housing becomes available.

Good to know: Even if you qualify for Community Preference, you still need to meet all other eligibility requirements like income limits, household size, and documentation.

What Does this Mean For Me?

Your odds of winning can be as much as 15 times better than someone applying from outside the district, assuming equal numbers of applicants across all 59 districts. This is because you compete with a much smaller pool of neighbors for the set-aside units, while also remaining eligible for the general pool of apartments open to everyone citywide.

Simply put, applying in your own district gives you a massive advantage in the housing lottery!

What Is My Community Board District?

You can use the NYC Planning website’s Community District Lookup Tool to find out which community board district you belong to.

Pro Tips for Your Housing Lottery Application

• Make sure your current address is correct and matches the documents you submit.
• Keep your address updated, especially if you move.

At Homey, we’re here to guide you through every step — from understanding preferences to preparing a winning application. Stay tuned for more helpful tips!