NYC Housing Lottery Income Limits for 2025: What You Need to Know

If you’re thinking about applying for affordable housing in New York City in 2025, one of the most important factors is whether your income fits the eligibility guidelines.

Here’s a simple breakdown of how it all works!

How NYC Housing Lottery Income Limits Are Set

Income limits are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) — that’s the midpoint income level for all households in the NYC metro area. Each year, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) updates the AMI based on household size and local cost of living.

For 2025, income bands for affordable housing typically range from 30% AMI (for extremely low-income households) up to 165% AMI (for middle-income households). For a quite technical explanation of how the rent of each apartment is calculated, you can check out this article by NYCHA.

All You Really Need to Know

The apartment listings on Housing Connect will always show the specific income range for each unit — so you’ll know exactly where you stand.

Let’s look at the 360 West 43rd Street Apartments lottery. This building is offering apartments specifically for households at 130% AMI.

If you’re a household of 2 people with a combined annual income of $100,000, you qualify for:

• ✅ A studio apartment
• ✅ A one-bedroom apartment

However, you would not qualify for a two-bedroom apartment, since two-bedroom units at this AMI level require a higher household income.

What Counts as Household Income?

When you apply, all sources of income for every adult household member are included. This means:

• Employment wages (hourly, salaried, or self-employed)
• Social Security, disability, or unemployment benefits
• Child support and alimony
• Retirement funds and pensions
• Other recurring income streams

Sporadic income, like one-time gifts or settlements, may also be reviewed.

✅ Pro Tip: Make sure to count your entire household income, not just your personal income!

Important Notes About Income Calculation

• It’s your gross annual income (before taxes).
• Assets matter — large assets like savings or investments may count if they generate income.

If you receive rental vouchers (such as Section 8 or CityFHEPS), those typically do not count toward your household income, but your eligibility still depends on your income before subsidy.

What Happens if My Income Changes?

If your income changes between application and lease signing, you’ll need to update your information in Housing Connect. Marketing agents and HPD/HDC will use your most recent verified income to determine final eligibility.

Do I Need to Go Through all Lotteries to Check for Which Ones I’m Eligible?

No, you don’t have to check every lottery one by one. That can be time-consuming, especially if you haven’t set up a full Housing Connect profile yet.

With our website, you can quickly see which lotteries fit your household size and income — no heavy lifting required. It’s a faster, easier way to find the right apartments.