New York City housing lotteries are listed on Housing Connect 2, a portal maintained by the HPD, Department of Housing Preservation & Development. You can also find listings advertised in newspapers and on the HPD social media, as well as signing up for updates from HPD.

Tenants selected for affordable housing units are often chosen through a lottery process. To enter your name in the lottery, you must fill out an application form for each building that you want to apply for. Preference may be given to: 1. People who already live in the area 2. Employees of the City of New York 3. Veterans 4. Residents who are physically, visually, or hearing disabled

Housing ads and website listings will include the minimum and maximum income limits for the available units. The ad for the housing will also tell you the size of the available units — studio, one bedroom, two bedroom — and the number of people who can live in each unit, based on the income limits set for each building. You will also need a steady income, a bank account, a history of paying your bills on time, and a credit review.

The ad for the lottery will tell you how to apply online and how to request that an application be mailed to you. If you apply by mail, be sure to mail the application to the right address. It will not be the same address as the building.

1. Proof of income, such as pay stubs, a letter from your employer, public assistance documents or court orders. 2. Tax returns for at least two years, if you are employed. 3. Bank statements, statements from retirement accounts, etc. 4. School letters for everyone enrolled in school.