BED-STUY, BROOKLYN — Three units in a new Bed-Stuy development are being called affordable, but the income requirements may challenge that claim.
At 303 Sumpter Street, a building developed under the 421-a tax incentive, the three units listed on Housing Connect are spacious, well-finished, and modern. However, the income requirements and rents may put them out of reach for many who would typically qualify as seeking affordable housing.
Applicants can find the units through New York City Housing Connect, an online platform designed to give New Yorkers a chance at below-market apartments in new developments. The website, which replaced the city’s old mail-based system in 2013, lists buildings across all five boroughs that are currently accepting applications for both rentals and purchases.
But there’s a catch: eligibility is determined by your household size and income, and each lottery sets its own limits based on the city’s Area Median Income, meaning not everyone can qualify for every listing.
The new Bed-Stuy units are priced for households earning around 130% of the Area Median Income, the standard used to gauge affordability. Under that guideline, the one-bedroom apartment will rent for $2,226 a month, with a qualifying income range of roughly $85,098 to $147,420 for a single applicant.
The two-bedroom units are listed at $2,684 per month, with a qualifying income range of approximately $105,635 to $168,480 for a two-person household.
A kitchen in one of the affordable units. (NYC Housing Connect) 
One of the available units (NYC Housing Connect)
The apartments boast modern, high-end features, from upgraded kitchens and energy-efficient appliances to air-conditioning, smart heating and cooling controls, and USB charging outlets. Residents also get a patio or balcony, high-speed internet, cable or satellite TV and a built-in intercom system.