$1,820 to own your own Manhattan apartment—applications are now open for this ultra-rare NYC housing lottery

Source / NY Housing Search

 – 
Junior Staff Writer

 · 
July 13, 2026

Finding an affordable home in New York City isn’t easy, but every so often a new housing lottery opens, giving eligible New Yorkers the opportunity to purchase an apartment well below typical market prices.

This time around, the spotlight is on Inwood Gardens, a 23-story Mitchell-Lama cooperative in Upper Manhattan, where eligible buyers can apply for apartments starting at just $1,820. Beyond the affordable purchase prices, the building also offers sought-after amenities like private terraces, on-site parking, a community room, laundry facilities, and on-site management.

Here’s everything you need to know about eligibility, pricing, income requirements, and how to apply.

Source / Homes.com

Own an Apartment Under $2K: Inside the Inwood Gardens Housing Lottery

The Mitchell-Lama program, a state–sponsored initiative designed to provide affordable middle-income housing, offers a unique path to homeownership. Unlike typical NYC rentals, this lottery is for the purchase of a co-op apartment.

Located in the vibrant neighborhood of Inwood in Upper Manhattan, Inwood Gardens features premium amenities that are highly sought after in the city. Many units come equipped with large private terraces. Additionally, shareholders gain access to:

Indoor and outdoor parking facilities

A dedicated community room

On-site management and laundry facilities

Source / Homes.com

Inwood Gardens Layouts, Purchase Prices, and Maintenance Fees

Prospective buyers should note that purchasing a Mitchell-Lama cooperative involves both an initial equity purchase price and ongoing monthly maintenance charges to cover building operations and taxes.

The available apartments span from one to three bedrooms, tailored to varying household sizes:

Source / NY Housing Search

Check Your Eligibility: Ensure your total annual household income and household size fall strictly within the minimum and maximum limits listed in the pricing table.

Choose Your Method: You can apply either online or via a traditional paper form.

Request a Paper Application: If you prefer mail, call the Inwood Gardens management office directly at (212) 942-5240 to have a form sent to you.

Apply Online: Visit the official New York State Housing Search platform (housingsearch.ny.gov) and search for Listing: HCR000211 to submit your digital application.

Avoid Duplicates: Submit only one application per household. Sending both a paper and digital application will cause you to be automatically disqualified.

What Happens Next? Once the application window closes, a supervised lottery will rank applicants to establish a structured waiting list. When a co-op unit matching your bedroom size opens up, the management office will contact you sequentially to verify your documents.

For more information, see New York Housing Search’s official website.