Features
View from 325-329 Gates Avenue, a mixed-income housing development in Bed-Stuy (via Nooklyn listing)
From Affordable Housing
Affordable Housing in NYC: Pros, cons, and past lotteries
By CityRealty Staff
Friday, May 29, 2020
When Mayor Bill de Blasio took office at the beginning of 2014, the new administration announced a plan to build or preserve 300,000 affordable housing units by 2026, a level not seen in 30 years. Three years later, further details and initiatives emerged with the release of Housing New York 2.0. Last September, the city reported that it was nearly halfway to this goal, with 136,912 affordable units created through new construction and the refurbishment of existing buildings.
Affordable housing remains on the city's mind even at a time when flattening the curve is the number one priority. If anything, it may be needed more than ever in light of the economic fallout of the attempts to contain the coronavirus. But at any time, there are some important considerations to be made before clicking "Apply" on the Housing Connect website. While it can take months to hear back about an affordable lottery, things can move very quickly if one's application is selected for an interview; chosen applicants have only a few weeks to prepare for a meeting with several required pieces of financial information and identification. The interview is a key step in the process, but far from the only one. And even if everything goes well, would-be tenants cannot sign a lease without final written approval from New York's Housing Preservation and Development and Housing Development Corporation.
via Coalition for the Homeless' State of the Homeless 2019 Report
But even if one's application is chosen, not everyone jumps at the chance for an interview. Housing is considered affordable if it costs thirty percent or less of the area median income. Some developers set the price of affordable units in their buildings for "middle-income" tenants, or those in the highest income band, a practice that can sometimes lead to higher rents than the local median. But even if the rent comes in at what the applicant considers a reasonable rate, that doesn't always take amenity fees into consideration. Finally, some have expressed concern about building upkeep and the inability to sublet their apartments.
And yet, for all these qualms, there is a reason that the odds of winning one of New York's affordable housing lotteries are one in 592 (per The New York Times). When a market-rate building includes affordable units, all apartments often get the same finishes and new appliances. Once a tenant has moved in, they cannot be kicked out if a future raise puts them above the initial income brackets. The lower rent of a permanently affordable apartment allows for more money to enjoy living in New York, and any rent increases can only take place within certain limits. A list of ongoing lotteries can be found here.
The recently finished Story Avenue East & West development brought nearly 450 units of affordable housing to the Bronx (L+M Development Partners)
For a list of affordable housing developments with open applications, see our story here.
The following buildings below have had their lottery application deadline past and are no longer accepting applications. We'll keep the list below updated for reference and since they offer a snapshop of the types of buildings and areas providing affordable housing throughout New York.
If you have any questions related to affordable housing lotteries, please direct them to Housing Connect. CityRealty is not affiliated with these lotteries and cannot offer assistance in this regard.
All units at 522 Grand Street come with beautiful oak flooring, private balcony, washer/dryer hookup, and kitchen with black granite countertops and full stainless steel appliance package. The elevator building welcomes pets and is located in the heart of Williamsburg near top restaurants, cafes, and shops.
Half the units at 2317 Cambreleng Avenue are designated affordable housing. All units feature hardwood floors and energy-efficient appliances. Amenities include a shared laundry room, bike room, indoor and outdoor recreation space, and parking for five vehicles.
Each unit at 352 Rutland Road has its own private balcony and private storage closet in the basement. All apartments feature oversized windows, large living area, hardwood flooring, split units in each room, and generous closet space. A roof deck looks out on incredible city views.
436 Lafayette Avenue is a red brick rental in Bedford-Stuyvesant. All units feature high-end appliances, air conditioning, and in-unit washer/dryers. The building welcomes pets and has virtual doorman service.
142 Lenox Road is a new luxury rental that welcomes pets and offers a virtual doorman, gym, backyard, rooftop terrace, package room, storage, and bike storage. The spacious units feature high-end appliances, dishwasher, washer/dryer, smart control for heating and cooling, and private outdoor space. Tenants will receive an iPhone or PlayStation 5 after lease signing.
1634 Church Avenue is a brick building in close proximity to Prospect Park. Each unit features air conditioning, high-end kitchen appliances, and washer/dryer access. Most amenities are included in the base rent, and include package lockers, bike lockers, fitness center, outdoor terrace, and roof terrace.
1893 Crotona Avenue is a red brick building in the Crotona section of the Bronx. All units feature hardwood floors, central air conditioning, high-end countertops and finishes, and energy-efficient appliances. Garage parking is available on a first-come first-serve basis for a $200 monthly fee.
Minutes away from the L train at Grand Street, 283 Powers Street impressively exemplifies the contemporary flair of Williamsburg with its stunning and classic slatted red-brick façade. All units feature hardwood floors, energy-efficient appliances, high-end finishes, and central air conditioning. The building welcomes pets and has a central laundry room.
118 West 139th Street, 123 West 112th Street, 30 West 132nd Street, 281 West 118th Street, 120 West 139th Street, and 122 West 139th Street
32 units from $1,332/month | Deadline February 16, 2021
32 renovated units in multiple locations in the West Harlem section of Manhattan. All smoke-free buildings are close to schools and transportation.
220 East 178th Street, 225 East 179th Street, and 2195 Morris Avenue
94 units from $536/month | Deadline February 9, 2021
From the posting: Situated in close proximity of Fulton Park, in the diverse neighborhood of Cypress Hills, 2741 Fulton Street makes the ultimate place to call your home. This newly constructed smoke-free building offers many amenities including, High-speed internet, Laundry Room, High-End Countertops and finishes and more. Each unit features air conditioning and High-end kitchen appliances! Most amenities are included in base rent yet are subject to fees. Read full details and apply here.
1488 New York Avenue
58 senior housing units | Deadline February 5, 2021
From the posting: The East Flatbush development includes 89 units of senior housing and social services space for the benefit and services of the senior residents. A community senior center is planned alongside the housing development that will be managed and operated by Evangelical Crusade Christian Church. The community center will service the neighborhood, with tenants of the building having access. Tenant pays electricity (including electric stove). Read full details and apply here.
From the posting: One free month of rent applied to the initial lease. *To request an application by mail, send a self-addressed envelope to: 885 Rogers Plaza C/O Reside New York, 381 South 5th St #, Brooklyn, NY 11211 *The tenant is responsible for electricity which includes stove and heating Read full details and apply here.
387 Bleecker Street
6 units from $1,988/month | Deadline February 4, 2021
2185 Amsterdam Avenue, 2488 7th Avenue, 2794 8th Avenue, and 2110 Amsterdam Avenue
16 units from $695/month | Deadline February 2, 2021
881 Erskine Street
112 units from $331/month | Deadline January 27, 2021
2635 Ocean Avenue
18 units from $1,650/month | Deadline January 25, 2021
600 East 179th Street
122 senior housing units | Deadline January 14, 2021
37-46 72nd Street
47 units from $1,121/month | Deadline January 12, 2021
43-12 Hunter Street
37 units from $1,990/month | Deadline January 5, 2020
389-402, 498-504, and 516 Schroeders Avenue, 127 and 129 Gateway Drive, 1111-1123 Lower Ashford Drive
214 units from $471/month | Deadline December 31, 2020
21-34 Broadway
12 units from $2,075/month | Deadline December 28, 2020
1133 Willoughby Avenue
8 units from $1,988/month | Deadline December 14, 2020
14-53 31st Avenue
14 units from $2,050/month | Deadline December 4, 2020
271 Sea Breeze Avenue
34 units from $1,700/month | Deadline December 2, 2020
1 Columbus Place
6 units from $2,116/month | Deadline November 18, 2020
222 East 44th Street
16 units from $1,949/month | Deadline October 23, 2020
1520 Fulton Street
15 units from $1,975/month | Deadline October 16, 2020
875 Dekalb Avenue
6 units from $2,149/month | Deadline October 15, 2020
200 East 135th Street
129 units from $2,150/month | Deadline October 14, 2020
336 Himrod Street
3 units from $2,103/month | Deadline October 12, 2020
524 Ocean View Avenue
9 units from $2,200/month | Deadline October 6, 2020
18-81 Starr Street
40 units from $1,797/month | Deadline September 1, 2020
Rendering via Property Resources Corporation
Rendering via CityRealty
All images via Housing Connect
11 West 118th Street
94 units for 30% of residents' income | Deadline August 25, 2020
Victory Plaza rendering via Aufgang Architects
60 West 125th Street
40 units from $1,208/month | Deadline August 18, 2020
556 Bergen Avenue & 600 Bergen Avenue
494 units from $395/month | Deadline August 14, 2020
La Central via FXCollaborative
1 Flatbush Avenue
20 units from $690/month | Deadline August 4, 2020
187 Kent Avenue
29 units from $1,101/month | Deadline July 28, 2020
158 East 126th Street
70 units from $1,023/month | Deadline July 23, 2020
645 West 59th Street
22 units from $741/month | Deadline July 23, 2020
Waterline Square via GID Development Group
2858 Linden Boulevard
206 units from $375/month | Deadline July 21, 2020
1044 Bedford Avenue via CityRealty
Rendering via HTO Architect
7 Livonia Avenue
37 units from $666/month | Deadline July 8, 2020
Rendering via Native Real Estate
460 Main Street
313 units from $506/month | Deadline July 6, 2020
Rendering via Related Companies
1489 and 1495 Brooklyn Avenue, East Flatbush
1932 Bryant Avenue
280 units from $354/month | Deadline June 30, 2020
470 Manhattan Avenue
31 units from $1,288/month | Deadline June 29, 2020
194 21st Street
8 units from $2,362/month | Deadline June 29, 2020
The Hyland via Halstead
161-11 132nd Avenue
110 units for 30% of the tenants' income | Deadline June 24, 2020
741 Concourse Village West, 702 Grand Concourse & 180 East 156th Street
255 units from $331/month | Deadline June 17, 2020
144-74 Northern Boulevard
31 units from $1,750/month | Deadline June 15, 2020
21-10 27th Street
33 units from $2,241/month | Deadline June 9, 2020
Rendering via Loopnet
Rendering via Z Architecture
Rendering via JGoldman Design
Lottery criteria via Housing Connect
911 Erskine Street
199 units from $328/month | Deadline May 27, 2020
Rendering via Aufgang Architects
Lottery criteria via Housing Connect
407 Lenox Avenue
73 units from $680/month | Deadline May 26, 2020
Rendering via Lemor Development Group
3120 Park Avenue and 451 East 159th Street
31 units from $359/month | Deadline May 22, 2020
Rendering via Hirschen Singer & Epstein
515 East 86th Street
35 units from $747/month | Deadline May 18, 2020
Rendering via Arquitectonica
150 Van Cortlandt Avenue East
131 units from $667/month | Deadline May 15, 2020
217 Boerum Street (YossiG)
Rendering via NYC HPD
Home Street Residences via Body Lawson Associates
Lottery criteria via Housing Connect
Designed by Body Lawson Associates and recently completed, Home Street Residences incorporates salvaged wood from the church that once stood on-site into a new gray brick building bringing a new community facility and 63 residential units to the Bronx. The building was built to LEED Gold certification standards, and amenities include an on-site superintendent's services, a lounge, a fitness center, a card-operated laundry room, and a roof deck. Thirty percent of units were reserved for formerly homeless senior citizens, and the rest were for low-income individuals and families. According to a spokesperson for the project, the lottery for 43 units attracted approximately 50,000 applicants.
Rendering via Nest Seekers
Lottery criteria via Housing Connect
180 Broome Street
121 units from $562/month | Deadline April 7, 2020
The Artisan (l) via Moso Studio
Lottery criteria via Housing Connect
Lottery criteria via Housing Connect
Lottery criteria via Housing Connect
Lottery criteria via Housing Connect
Lottery criteria via Housing Connect
81 Starr Street via Nooklyn
Lottery criteria via Housing Connect
Lottery criteria via Housing Connect
Lottery criteria via Housing Connect
610 Myrtle Avenue via Realty360 Group
Lottery criteria via Housing Connect
