NEW YORK (PIX11) — It’s no secret that there are numerous affordable housing lotteries open at any one time in New York City through NYC Housing Connect.
You may have perused the website and found a lottery that fits your budget and preferred lifestyle and may be ready to apply.
That’s great! But what do you need when it’s time to throw your hat in the ring?
Here’s everything you need to know when you’re preparing to apply for a housing lottery in New York City, courtesy of Housing Preservation and Development.
Prepare to have your credit or rent history checked
Unless you receive rental subsidies or are applying to apartments that offer them, you need to be prepared for a credit or rent history check.
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To keep tabs on rent history, you can:
Save documents, like your lease, to show how much your rent is and when it is due
Keep proof of paying rent on time and in full each month via receipts, withdrawals or bank payments
If you opt to have a credit check instead, you’ll need to use your Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number and get your free annual credit report on one of the various credit websites.
Save up!
Through your application process, you should save at least two months’ rent to cover the security deposit and the first month.
Get Important documents together
Once you do apply, you’ll be reviewed for eligibility for the unit you want. You will need:
Birth certificates, IDs for everyone in your household
Incomes of everyone in your household
federal or state tax returns
proof of Social Security, veteran or public assistance benefits income
For more information, click here.
Spencer Gustafson is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered New York state and city news since 2023. See more of his work here.
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