Am I Eligible for the NYC Housing Lottery? | NYC Affordable Housing Guide 2025

If you’ve ever wondered whether you qualify for the NYC Housing Lottery, you’re not alone. With affordable apartments in high demand across the five boroughs, understanding the eligibility requirements can help you prepare and improve your chances of securing a home. Here’s a clear breakdown of what you need to know.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

To apply for affordable housing through the housing lottery, you must:

• Be 18 or older (the household may contain people who are younger than 18, but the person who files the application has to be 18 or older)
• Meet income and household size requirements listed for each housing lottery
• Be able to pay rent (or have a qualifying rental subsidy)
• Provide required documentation when selected for further review

There’s no fee to apply, but if you’re selected, some landlords may require a non-refundable credit/background check fee.

Income Guidelines

Each housing lottery has its own income range, based on Area Median Income (AMI). This is your household’s total gross income before taxes. Lotteries are usually targeted at households earning between 30% to 130% of AMI. Check each listing on Housing Connect to see if your income fits the range for that specific apartment.

Example income range (Eagle Loft Collection Phase 2)

Self-employed? You’ll need to show business records, tax filings, or affidavits. For those with sporadic income (like gig work), the most recent 12 months are used to calculate an annual estimate.

Household Size & Composition

The number of people in your household helps determine what size apartment you qualify for. A “household” means everyone who will live in the apartment with you — whether related by blood or not. Generally speaking, households contain 1–7 people.

Important:

• If someone appears on more than one application for the same project (even in different households), all applications can be disqualified.
• If you’re a full-time student, there are limits. In most cases, an entire household can’t be made up of full-time students unless specific exceptions apply.

NYC Residency & Preferences

You don’t have to live in NYC to apply — but NYC residents do get priority over non-residents.

Some lotteries offer preferences for:

• People with mobility, vision, or hearing disabilities
• Residents of the local community board
• Municipal employees (those paid by the City of New York)

Applicants with disabilities can also request reasonable accommodations, such as accessible units or policy modifications.

Documents You’ll Need (If Selected)

If your number is drawn, you’ll need to show:

• Photo ID (IDNYC is accepted!)
• Proof of income (pay stubs, benefits letters, tax returns)
• Proof of assets, if applicable (bank statements, retirement accounts)
• Proof of residency, since NYC residents get preference

Common Reasons for Rejection

Unfortunately, not everyone who applies gets a unit. Here are some common reasons for rejection:

• Incomplete or inaccurate information
• Missing documentation
• Credit or rental history issues (but alternatives like proof of rent payment history may help!)
• Duplicate applications

If you’re rejected, you can submit an appeal — and your place on the list will be held during that process.

Vouchers & Subsidies

You can absolutely apply if you have:

• Section 8
• CityFHEPS
• Other rental subsidies

Just be sure to indicate it clearly on your application.

Bottom Line

The NYC Housing Lottery is open to a wide range of people — from recent grads and working families to older adults and voucher holders. If you meet the income, household, and documentation criteria, you are most likely eligible.