NYC Housing Connect is an online portal where you can find an affordable apartment or home to rent or buy.
- Affordable housing costs about one-third or less of your household income.
- Affordable rental units are regulated. This means the rent cannot go up too much over time.
- Affordable homes that you can buy include condos, co-ops, and 1-4 family homes. The prices of these are restricted.
- You can use NYC Housing Connect to find affordable housing in all five boroughs.
- When you find one that you like, you can apply to its lottery.
- Your household must meet that unit's income and size requirements to apply for its lottery.
- You can apply regardless of your citizenship or immigration status.
Who is eligible
Each unit on NYC Housing Connect has certain requirements.
- To apply to a unit’s lottery, your household must meet that unit’s income requirements.
- The size of your household determines the income requirement you need to meet.
- See the requirements for open units on NYC Housing Connect.
Priority is given to NYC residents. You may be given preference for some units if you:
- have a disability, or
- are a senior, or
- live in the same neighborhood of the housing opportunity you’re interested in
What you need to apply
You may need to submit documents if your application for a lottery is selected. These documents should prove your household’s:
- employment income (like paystubs or W-2 forms)
- income from other sources (like a rental voucher or public assistance)
- assets (like bank or investment account statements)
- You may also need documents to prove your rent payment history.
- If you do not or cannot give your rent payment history, you can do a credit check instead.
- You may also need documents like birth certificates and IDs for your household members.
See the full list of documents that you might need.
How to apply
- Create and complete your profile on NYC Housing Connect.
- If you had a profile on the old portal, you must still create a profile on the new NYC Housing Connect portal.
- Search the open lotteries to find a housing unit that you like and are eligible for.
- Apply for the unit’s lottery.
- You must apply before the deadline.
- Some applicants may be reviewed first if they have a disability or live in the neighborhood.
- It can take several months or longer to hear about your application. As you wait, make sure to keep your profile up to date with any changes (like your household income).
You can also sign up for email updates for when new lotteries are accepting applications.
How to get help
Get Help In Person
Get application assistance from an organization through Housing Ambassadors.
Get financial counseling and application assistance through Ready to Rent.
Visit the website
Read the FAQ about NYC Housing Connect.
Email NYC Housing Connect
Call the NYC Housing Connect Affordable Housing Hotline
Call 212-863-7990. Calls may not be answered in real time, but you can leave a voicemail.
Other Housing Programs
Runaway And Homeless Youth Drop-In Centers
NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD)
Services and support for homeless youth
Homeless youth ages 14–24 can receive help and referrals for emergency shelter.
Homebase
NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA)
Services to help keep you in your home
If you're at risk of homelessness, Homebase offers support to stay out of shelter and remain stably housed.
Updated March 25, 2022