New York City has the largest affordable housing system in the United States — over one million rent-stabilized apartments, 335 NYCHA developments, 92 Mitchell-Lama cooperatives, and thousands of lottery-eligible units added every year. The problem isn’t that housing doesn’t exist. It’s that nobody explained where it actually is or who to call. This guide gives you 30 specific, named properties and programs, each with a direct contact.
NYC’s affordable housing is vast but confusing. These answers cut through the noise — straight facts, no jargon.
- 1 What’s the absolute cheapest housing available in New York City? NYCHA public housing — rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income, period. For a household earning $18,000/year, that’s about $450/month regardless of the unit size or location. NYCHA serves 511,384 authorized residents across 335 developments in all five boroughs. The waitlist to get in is long — currently closed for general applicants — but applying at apply.nycha.info places you in the queue. Priority is given to families facing domestic violence, veterans, and those with specific disability needs.
- 2 What income do I need to qualify for NYC affordable housing? It depends on the program tier, but most affordable housing in NYC serves households earning between 30% and 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). For 2026, the NYC AMI for a 1-person household is $97,000. At 30% AMI, the maximum income for one person is $29,100. At 50% AMI it’s $48,500. At 80% AMI it’s $77,600. There are also minimum income rules — most lottery units require you to earn at least 40 times the monthly rent annually. Mitchell-Lama targets moderate-income households, generally 80%–165% AMI. NYCHA targets households at or below 80% AMI.
- 3 Is the NYC Section 8 waitlist actually open? No — NYCHA’s Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waitlist has been effectively closed since 2018 for general applicants. As of August 2025, NYCHA paused active outreach for the general HCV waitlist entirely. Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV) funded by HUD are also running out — federal funding was set to expire by end of 2026, and NYCHA began reaching out to EHV participants in spring 2026 about alternatives. If you’re on an existing list, keep your contact information current at selfserve.nycha.info. New Section 8 applications are not being accepted for the general population at this time.
- 4 What is NYC Housing Connect and how is it different from NYCHA? Housing Connect (housingconnect.nyc.gov) is the city’s lottery portal for newly constructed and renovated income-restricted apartments — it has nothing to do with NYCHA or Section 8. When a developer builds affordable units as part of a city-subsidized project, those units go through a Housing Connect lottery. Anyone who meets the income requirements can apply — free, online, regardless of immigration status in most cases. A Bronx lottery unit might rent for $800/month at 30% AMI. A Manhattan unit at 80% AMI might be $1,940/month. Odds vary dramatically — popular Manhattan lotteries receive 50,000+ applications for 20 units. Outer-borough lotteries have far better odds.
- 5 What is Mitchell-Lama housing and is it really affordable? Mitchell-Lama is a 1955 New York State program that created income-restricted rentals and limited-equity cooperatives across the city — approximately 50,000 units remain in the program citywide. Rents and maintenance fees in Mitchell-Lama buildings are significantly below market. A two-bedroom in a Queens or Bronx Mitchell-Lama building might run $900–$1,500/month, compared to $2,800–$3,500 at market rate in the same area. You apply directly to each building’s waitlist — there is no central application. Each development has its own income requirements, waitlist, and application process. Apply to HPD-supervised buildings through Mitchell-Lama Connect at nyc.gov.
- 6 Are there preferences that improve my chances of getting affordable housing? Yes — NYC affordable housing has several preference categories that set aside a portion of units for specific groups before the general lottery runs. Disabilities: 5% of units are reserved for households with a mobility disability and 2% for hearing or vision disabilities — bring medical documentation. Community district preference: 20% of units in city-financed buildings go to residents of the same community district. Municipal employees: 5% of units in HPD and HDC buildings. Veterans: preference exists in some Mitchell-Lama developments. Section 8 voucher holders can apply to most lottery units and are exempt from minimum income requirements if the unit rent is within their voucher limit.
- 7 Can I be rejected for affordable housing because of credit or past evictions? NYC has strong tenant protections that limit how developers can screen affordable housing applicants. No one can be rejected on a credit score alone. Housing court history — prior eviction proceedings — may not be used against you in NYC affordable housing lottery screening. Guarantors and co-signers cannot be required. Lack of credit history is not grounds for rejection. You may substitute 12 months of on-time rent payments for a formal credit review. These rules apply to HPD and HDC-financed lottery buildings. NYCHA has its own screening standards, which are separate and somewhat stricter regarding criminal history.
NYCHA operates 335 developments across the five boroughs. The ones listed below are among the largest and most well-known, spread across all boroughs. Apply at apply.nycha.info or call the Customer Contact Center at 718-707-7771. New general applications are not currently being accepted — joining the waitlist at the online portal is the correct step.
All NYCHA public housing applications go through one system: apply.nycha.info. You do not apply to individual developments directly. NYCHA assigns you to available units based on your waitlist position, household size, and any special circumstances (medical needs, domestic violence status, veteran status). The Customer Contact Center at 718-707-7771 can answer questions about your application status and is available 24/7 for emergencies, Mon–Fri 6am–midnight for routine matters. Walk-in locations are at 478 East Fordham Road, Bronx (Mon–Fri 8am–5pm) and 787 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn (Mon–Fri 8am–5pm).
One of the largest NYCHA developments in Manhattan, Alfred E. Smith Houses sits at the edge of the Lower East Side near the Manhattan Bridge approach. Its 12 high-rise towers house nearly 4,000 residents in a neighborhood that has become significantly more expensive in the surrounding private market. Like all NYCHA, rent here is 30% of adjusted household income, which means residents pay based on what they earn rather than the market value of the unit. Steps from the East Broadway subway station on the F line.
Queensbridge is the largest public housing development in North America — 96 buildings, 3,142 apartments, and approximately 7,000 residents across two separate complexes on 40th and 41st Avenues in Long Island City. Its location in Queens, directly below the Queensboro Bridge along the East River, puts residents steps from Manhattan while paying income-based rent. The surrounding Long Island City neighborhood has seen dramatic market-rate rent increases, making Queensbridge’s income-adjusted rent structure especially valuable for long-term residents. Managed by NYCHA’s Queens borough office.
Marcy Houses is one of the most recognized public housing developments in Brooklyn, with 14 buildings and 1,705 apartments in the Bedford-Stuyvesant/Williamsburg area. The surrounding neighborhood has undergone significant gentrification, making the NYCHA rent structure here among the most financially impactful in the city — private market rents in the area now frequently exceed $2,500–$3,500/month for the unit sizes Marcy offers at income-based rates. Marcy is served by the Bed-Stuy Restoration Corporation through the Jobs Plus program for residents seeking employment services.
Bronx River Houses sits in the Soundview section of the Bronx, a 13.94-acre campus with 9 residential buildings and 1,260 apartments bordered by East 174th Street and Bronx River Avenue. The development also includes Bronx River Addition — two senior-only buildings (6 and 12 stories) with 225 senior apartments completed in 1966. The senior-only buildings within Bronx River Addition make this development particularly relevant for older adults seeking public housing in the Bronx. Managed under NYCHA’s Bronx borough management office.
The Mill Brook, Mill Brook Extension, Mitchel, and Mott Haven Houses form a cluster of NYCHA developments in the Mott Haven section of the South Bronx — one of the highest concentrations of public housing in any single neighborhood in the city. Residents have access to multiple subway lines connecting directly to midtown Manhattan. The Jobs Plus Zone 1 service provider for these developments is East Side House, Inc. at 201 St. Ann’s Avenue, 718-665-5250, which provides employment and resident services. Apply for all through the standard NYCHA portal.
Jacob Riis Houses consists of two connected developments on the Lower East Side — Riis I and Riis II — along with the nearby Wald Houses. Together they form one of the larger public housing clusters in lower Manhattan. The development borders East River Park and provides some of the most affordably priced housing in one of Manhattan’s most expensive zip codes. Henry Street Settlement at 24 Avenue D (212-254-4333) provides resident services to Riis and Wald Houses residents through the Jobs Plus program. The community sits near several FDR Drive entrances and major bus corridors.
Astoria Houses is one of the largest NYCHA developments in Queens, with 22 buildings and 1,103 apartments in the Astoria neighborhood — a part of Queens that has seen significant private-market rent increases, making NYCHA’s income-based rates here particularly valuable. Urban Upbound at 4-25 Astoria Blvd (718-571-9484) provides workforce development and resident services to Astoria Houses residents. Astoria’s location offers excellent access to Manhattan via multiple subway lines, making it geographically desirable within the NYCHA portfolio.
Woodside Houses is a major NYCHA development in Queens’ Woodside neighborhood, with 16 buildings and 1,399 apartments. The development spans several blocks near the LIRR Woodside station, providing one of the best commuter rail connections of any NYCHA property in the outer boroughs. America Works of New York at 33-20 55th Street, Suite 202, Woodside (718-865-8556) provides Jobs Plus employment services to residents. Woodside’s central Queens location keeps it accessible to a wide range of employment centers.
Mitchell-Lama buildings are privately managed but income-restricted — you apply directly to each development’s waitlist. For HPD-supervised buildings, start at nyc.gov/site/hpd/services-and-information/mitchell-lama.page or call 212-863-6500. For state-supervised buildings, use NYS HCR at hcr.ny.gov. Each development has its own income limits and waitlist, which can run from months to years.
Co-op City is the largest single residential development in the United States — 15,372 apartments in 35 high-rise buildings and seven townhouse clusters, with approximately 50,000 residents and its own ZIP code (10475). A New York State Mitchell-Lama cooperative, Co-op City offers income-restricted apartments where shareholders pay a monthly carrying charge rather than traditional rent, covering maintenance, heat, and hot water. The development has its own shopping centers, schools, community centers, senior services, and a public library — essentially a self-contained city within the Bronx. Monthly carrying charges are significantly below market rate for comparable space.
Penn South occupies ten 22-story buildings between 8th and 9th Avenues from 23rd to 29th Streets in Chelsea — one of Manhattan’s most expensive neighborhoods. Yet as a limited-equity cooperative under HPD supervision, Penn South residents purchase shares rather than apartments, with no profit on resale. Penn South is the first Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) in the United States, with extensive on-site senior health and social services through Penn South Social Services (212-675-9120). When apartments become available, they are offered at dramatically below-market prices to income-qualified applicants on the waiting list.
Rochdale Village is one of the largest Mitchell-Lama cooperatives in New York State — 20 thirteen-story buildings with 5,860 apartments in Jamaica, Queens. The development operates its own power plant, has its own branch of the Queens Public Library system, and includes two shopping malls within the complex. Rochdale Village maintains active waitlists for apartments, with applications available through the development’s own website as well as through the NYS HCR website. The surrounding Jamaica neighborhood offers excellent LIRR and AirTrain connections to JFK Airport.
Amalgamated Housing Cooperative is one of the oldest cooperative housing complexes in the United States, organized by the Amalgamated Clothing Workers union in 1927. Its 11 residential buildings at the edge of Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx offer 1,468 units ranging from studios to five-bedroom apartments. As a limited-equity cooperative with income restrictions, Amalgamated’s carrying charges are substantially below market — particularly valuable given its park-adjacent setting. The cooperative remained stable through decades of Bronx urban decline and continues to be a well-maintained, income-restricted community today.
Clinton Towers is an HPD-supervised Mitchell-Lama rental building in Hell’s Kitchen (Clinton), offering income-restricted apartments in one of Manhattan’s most sought-after west-side neighborhoods. As a rental rather than a co-op, residents pay monthly rent rather than purchasing a share — making it accessible to lower-income households who cannot accumulate a share purchase price. Clinton Towers was one of three buildings reviewed in the 2026 State Comptroller’s Mitchell-Lama audit, highlighting it as a significant and monitored affordable housing resource in Manhattan. Apply through HPD’s Mitchell-Lama Connect at nyc.gov.
Tivoli Towers is a Mitchell-Lama rental development in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, offering income-restricted apartments in a neighborhood where private-market rents have escalated significantly over the past decade. As an HPD-supervised building, Tivoli Towers is required to maintain income restrictions and charge below-market rents. Crown Heights has excellent subway access on the 2, 3, 4, and 5 lines, making Tivoli Towers residents commute-competitive with Brooklyn’s most expensive neighborhoods while paying income-restricted rents. Apply through HPD’s Mitchell-Lama Connect portal.
Evergreen Gardens is an HPD-supervised Mitchell-Lama rental development in the Bronx — one of the three buildings reviewed in the 2026 State Comptroller’s audit of Mitchell-Lama housing conditions. While the audit identified maintenance challenges common to many Mitchell-Lama properties, Evergreen Gardens continues to provide income-restricted rental housing in the Bronx. For households priced out of market-rate Bronx apartments, Mitchell-Lama rentals like Evergreen Gardens represent one of the few avenues to legitimate below-market rent without a NYCHA waitlist or lottery luck. Apply through HPD’s Mitchell-Lama Connect.
Housing Connect lotteries are the most accessible path into affordable housing for people not already on NYCHA or Mitchell-Lama waitlists. Applications are free, take minutes, and are open to most residents regardless of immigration status. Apply at housingconnect.nyc.gov. These are recent developments that illustrate the range of available opportunities.
Create a free profile at housingconnect.nyc.gov. Browse current and upcoming lotteries — each lists the building address, unit sizes, income ranges required, and application deadline. Apply before the deadline for every listing that fits your household size and income. The system randomly selects applicants from the pool, assigns log numbers, and contacts them in order for eligibility review. Being selected does not guarantee an apartment — it starts a review process. The full path to a lease can take weeks to months. Apply broadly and consistently — residents who apply to many listings over time do eventually succeed.
Willets Point Commons is one of the most significant new affordable housing developments in Queens in years — over 740 apartments along 39th Avenue near Citi Field, directly accessible by the 7 train. The lottery has included 14 studio apartments at $486/month for households earning a minimum of $20,469 annually, and over 120 units with rents between $617 and $882/month for qualified households. These are among the lowest advertised rents in any recent NYC Housing Connect lottery for new construction. The building is pet-friendly and has direct access to the 7 train, LIRR, and major bus routes.
East New York and Brownsville in Brooklyn consistently offer better lottery odds than almost any other Brooklyn neighborhood because fewer applicants compete for each unit. HPD regularly opens lotteries for new affordable buildings in these areas — studios to 3-bedrooms at various AMI tiers — through Housing Connect. For applicants living in Community District 5 (East New York/Cypress Hills), the 20% community preference significantly improves chances for lotteries in those districts. Recent lotteries in these neighborhoods have offered units from the low $800s/month for 30%–50% AMI households. Check housingconnect.nyc.gov regularly and filter by Brooklyn/zip codes 11207, 11208, 11212.
Staten Island receives the fewest affordable housing lottery applications of any borough — making it by far the best-odds borough for applicants willing to live there. HPD has opened lotteries in Stapleton Heights, St. George, and other neighborhoods on the North Shore. Recent lotteries have included units at 30%–80% AMI across studio to 3-bedroom sizes. For households willing to use the free Staten Island Ferry for commuting, the combination of lower market-rate rents and fewer lottery competitors makes Staten Island one of the most practical affordable housing strategies in the city. Filter housingconnect.nyc.gov by Staten Island to see all current listings.
The Bronx has one of the strongest pipelines of new affordable housing lottery units in New York City — new developments in Mott Haven, Hunts Point, Fordham, Morris Heights, and University Heights regularly appear on Housing Connect. The Bronx benefits from active rezoning plans and significant city investment in affordable housing construction. Bronx lotteries at 30%–50% AMI frequently include units starting from $700–$900/month for studios and one-bedrooms. As with all outer-borough lotteries, the community preference for CD residents and better odds compared to Manhattan make Bronx applications worth filing broadly.
Housing Connect at housingconnect.nyc.gov is the master portal for all HPD and HDC-financed affordable housing lotteries in New York City. Beyond individual buildings, it also manages re-rental waitlists for existing affordable buildings — a separate opportunity where vacancy units in previously lotteried buildings become available to applicants on a re-rental list. The May 2026 SPEED plan aims to reduce the lease-up timeline to under 100 days, targeting the years-long gap between lottery selection and key handover. Housing Ambassadors provide free in-person application help at community centers across the five boroughs for applicants who need assistance navigating the system.
Seniors 62 and older have access to a separate pipeline of affordable housing that most people don’t know exists — with shorter waitlists, on-site services, and protections beyond what standard affordable housing offers.
HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly provides income-based apartments (rent = 30% of income) in purpose-built senior buildings across all five boroughs. These properties are funded federally and managed locally by nonprofits and housing authorities. Many include on-site services like health program referrals, transportation coordination, and activity programs. Search the HUD Resource Locator at hudresourcelocator.com and filter by “elderly housing” and your zip code to see every Section 202 property near you. Contact each property directly — they have their own waitlists, separate from NYCHA. The Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 can help you identify and navigate local options.
The New York Foundation for Senior Citizens is a well-established nonprofit that manages several subsidized rental buildings specifically for seniors 62 and older in Manhattan and the Bronx. These are not lottery buildings — they maintain their own waitlists and accept direct applications. NYFSC buildings charge income-based or below-market rents and prioritize seniors with low to moderate incomes. The foundation also provides social services coordination for residents, making these properties a particularly supportive housing option for older adults who want community connection alongside affordable rent. Call directly for current waitlist status and income requirements.
Within NYCHA’s system, certain buildings and floors are designated specifically for elderly residents — including the Bronx River Addition’s two senior towers mentioned above, plus senior wings within many other developments across all five boroughs. Seniors applying for NYCHA public housing may request senior-designated units and may receive processing priority based on age. Seniors 62+ with very low incomes should apply through apply.nycha.info and specifically indicate elderly status and request any accessibility accommodations needed. NYCHA’s disability services line at 212-306-4652 handles requests for disability accommodations during the application process.
New York State’s Division of Housing and Community Renewal (HCR) supervises a separate category of Mitchell-Lama buildings specifically serving middle-income families and seniors — these are state-supervised rather than city-supervised, with their own application portals and waitlists. Several are restricted to senior occupancy and offer moderate rents well below the New York City private market. The HCR website lists all state-supervised Mitchell-Lama developments with open waiting lists for both senior and family housing. Veterans are entitled to preference at many of these developments when applying to an open waitlist.
SCRIE is not a housing development — it’s a New York City program that freezes the rent of income-eligible seniors who live in rent-stabilized or rent-controlled apartments. If you’re 62+, living in a regulated apartment, and your household income is $50,000 or less, SCRIE freezes your rent and prevents landlords from passing future rent increases to you. This effectively makes a rent-stabilized apartment function like affordable housing for the rest of your tenancy — without moving, without a waitlist, and without applying to a lottery. Apply through the NYC Department of Finance. This is one of the most underutilized senior housing protections in the city.
DRIE is the disability parallel to SCRIE — it freezes rents for income-eligible residents with disabilities who live in rent-stabilized or rent-controlled apartments in New York City. There is no age requirement. Qualifying disabilities include receiving SSI, SSDI, veteran’s disability, workers’ compensation, or being enrolled in the NYS Medicaid waiver program for home care. Income limit is $50,000 household. Like SCRIE, DRIE has no waitlist — once you qualify, rent is frozen immediately for the period of exemption. Apply through the NYC Department of Finance.
The West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing (WSFSSH) manages multiple affordable senior and supportive housing properties in Manhattan, including the PSS Grandparent Family Apartments at 951 Prospect Avenue in the Bronx — specifically designed for grandparents raising grandchildren, a housing situation that often falls through the cracks of standard affordable housing programs. WSFSSH manages income-restricted properties with on-site social services tailored to the needs of older adults and families in challenging circumstances. Contact them directly for waitlist information and current availability.
CAMBA (Church Avenue Merchants Block Association) is one of Brooklyn’s largest social service organizations, operating housing case management, legal services, supportive housing for formerly homeless individuals, and the Homebase program that helps at-risk renters avoid eviction. Their Tenant Toolboxes provide step-by-step guidance on navigating affordable housing applications, fighting illegal rent increases, and understanding tenant rights. CAMBA is particularly valuable for renters who suspect their landlord is violating rent stabilization rules or who are navigating the Housing Connect lottery process for the first time and need guidance.
BronxWorks is one of the Bronx’s largest human services nonprofits, operating supportive housing for homeless adults and families, housing case management, and resident services across multiple NYCHA developments including Betances, Moore, East 152nd Street/Courtlandt Ave, and Melrose Houses. They also provide workforce development, food programs, and senior services. For Bronx residents currently in NYCHA or transitioning from homelessness, BronxWorks provides a critical bridge between housing stability and self-sufficiency. They operate resident services offices inside specific NYCHA developments and can assist with housing applications and benefit enrollment.
The NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development is the largest municipal housing agency in the United States — it manages Housing Connect lotteries, oversees Mitchell-Lama buildings, enforces rent regulations and building codes, and handles complaints about housing maintenance. HPD is also where you report a landlord for harassment, illegal rent increases, or failure to make repairs. Their affordable housing hotlines serve in both English and Spanish. For tenants in any form of city-supported affordable housing, HPD is the enforcement backstop when building management fails to meet its obligations.
Use this table to compare all 30 entries by type, borough, rent structure, and first contact.
| # | Name | Borough | Type | Rent / Cost | Phone / Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alfred E. Smith Houses | Manhattan | NYCHA Public | 30% of income | 718-707-7771 · apply.nycha.info |
| 2 | Queensbridge N & S | Queens | NYCHA Public | 30% of income | 718-553-4700 |
| 3 | Marcy Houses | Brooklyn | NYCHA Public | 30% of income | 718-491-6967 |
| 4 | Bronx River Houses | Bronx | NYCHA (incl. senior) | 30% of income | 718-409-8626 |
| 5 | Mill Brook / Mott Haven | Bronx | NYCHA Public | 30% of income | 718-409-8626 |
| 6 | Jacob Riis Houses | Manhattan | NYCHA Public | 30% of income | 917-206-3500 |
| 7 | Astoria Houses | Queens | NYCHA Public | 30% of income | 718-553-4700 |
| 8 | Woodside Houses | Queens | NYCHA Public | 30% of income | 718-553-4700 |
| 9 | Co-op City | Bronx | Mitchell-Lama Co-op | Below-market carrying charges | 718-320-3300 · coopcity.com |
| 10 | Penn South | Manhattan | Mitchell-Lama Co-op | Below-market — NORC senior services | 212-243-3670 · pennsouth.coop |
| 11 | Rochdale Village | Queens | Mitchell-Lama Co-op | $900–$1,500/mo range | 718-276-5700 · rochdalevillage.com |
| 12 | Amalgamated Housing | Bronx | Limited-equity co-op | Below-market maintenance | 718-548-3000 · amalgamated-bronx.coop |
| 13 | Clinton Towers | Manhattan | Mitchell-Lama Rental | Below-market rental | 212-863-6500 · nyc.gov/hpd |
| 14 | Tivoli Towers | Brooklyn | Mitchell-Lama Rental | Below-market rental | 212-863-6500 · nyc.gov/hpd |
| 15 | Evergreen Gardens | Bronx | Mitchell-Lama Rental | Below-market rental | 212-863-6500 · nyc.gov/hpd |
| 16 | Willets Point Commons | Queens | Housing Connect Lottery | Studios from $486/mo | housingconnect.nyc.gov |
| 17 | East NY / Brownsville Dev. | Brooklyn | Housing Connect Lottery | From ~$800s/mo | housingconnect.nyc.gov |
| 18 | Staten Island Lottery Devs. | Staten Island | Housing Connect Lottery | Best borough odds | housingconnect.nyc.gov |
| 19 | Bronx Lottery Developments | Bronx | Housing Connect Lottery | From $700–$900/mo | housingconnect.nyc.gov |
| 20 | NYC Housing Connect Portal | All Boroughs | Lottery Master Portal | All AMI tiers | housingconnect.nyc.gov · 212-863-5610 |
| 21 | HUD Section 202 Properties | All Boroughs | Federal Senior Housing | 30% of income | hudresourcelocator.com · 1-800-677-1116 |
| 22 | NY Foundation for Seniors | Manhattan/Bronx | Nonprofit Senior Rental | Income-based / below-market | 212-369-5523 |
| 23 | NYCHA Senior Designations | All Boroughs | NYCHA Senior Units | 30% of income | 718-707-7771 · apply.nycha.info |
| 24 | NYS HCR Senior Mitchell-Lama | All Boroughs | State-Supervised Rentals | Below-market rental | 1-866-275-3427 · hcr.ny.gov |
| 25 | SCRIE — Rent Freeze | All Boroughs | Rent Stabilization Program | Rent frozen — no increases | 311 · 212-487-5100 |
| 26 | DRIE — Disability Rent Freeze | All Boroughs | Disability Protection | Rent frozen — no increases | 311 · 212-487-5100 |
| 27 | PSS Grandparent Apts / WSFSSH | Bronx/Manhattan | Supportive Senior Housing | Income-restricted | 212-222-3570 · wsfssh.org |
| 28 | CAMBA | Brooklyn | Housing Services & Legal | Free services | 718-287-2600 · camba.org |
| 29 | BronxWorks | Bronx | Supportive Housing + Services | Case management | 718-993-8880 · bronxworks.org |
| 30 | NYC HPD — Central Agency | All Boroughs | City Housing Agency | Oversight + enforcement | 212-863-5610 · nyc.gov/hpd |
Waitlist status, income limits, and application procedures change frequently. Always verify directly with the building, agency, or program before applying. NYCHA applications go through apply.nycha.info regardless of which development you hope to live in.
The right path through NYC’s affordable housing system looks completely different depending on your income, age, current housing status, and how much time you have.
Call 311 immediately and ask for emergency housing assistance. NYC’s Department of Homeless Services (DHS) operates an intake center for families at 151 E. 151st Street in the Bronx and a women’s intake center at 1122 Franklin Avenue, Bronx (347-417-8240). CAMBA’s Homebase program at 718-287-2600 specifically helps Brooklyn renters avoid eviction before it happens — call them if you’ve received any legal notice. BronxWorks at 718-993-8880 handles similar services in the Bronx. If you’re a veteran facing homelessness, call the VA homeless hotline at 1-877-424-3838, which is available 24/7.
Apply at apply.nycha.info for public housing. Note that the Section 8 HCV waitlist is currently closed for new general applicants — NYCHA paused outreach as of August 2025. Submit the public housing application, which remains your best path to income-based housing at 30% of income. Simultaneously, apply through Housing Connect (housingconnect.nyc.gov) for any lotteries in your income tier — especially in the Bronx, Staten Island, and outer Brooklyn where odds are best. If you have a disability, call 212-306-4652 for NYCHA’s disability services line, which may unlock priority processing.
This is exactly the gap Mitchell-Lama was designed for. Contact Co-op City directly at 718-320-3300, Rochdale Village at 718-276-5700, and Amalgamated Housing at 718-548-3000 to ask about current waitlist status and income requirements. Apply to HPD’s Mitchell-Lama Connect at nyc.gov for any rental openings. Also apply to Housing Connect lotteries at 80% and 120% AMI tiers, which are specifically designed for moderate-income households that traditional programs don’t serve. SONYMA mortgage programs at hcr.ny.gov may also be worth exploring if you’re considering a Mitchell-Lama co-op purchase.
If you’re already in a rent-stabilized apartment, check whether you qualify for SCRIE immediately — it could freeze your rent for the rest of your tenancy, which is often more valuable than relocating to a new affordable unit. Call 311 or 212-487-5100 to start a SCRIE application. Income limit is $50,000 household annually. If your income is below that threshold and you haven’t applied, this is the single most effective housing cost protection available to you right now — no waitlist, no lottery, no moving required. The Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 can also help you find Section 202 senior housing, Area Agency on Aging services, and local housing programs.
Create your Housing Connect profile at housingconnect.nyc.gov and apply to every lottery that fits your household size and income — don’t be selective about borough or neighborhood in the early stages. Set a reminder to check for new listings weekly. Apply to the outer-borough lotteries (Bronx, Staten Island, outer Brooklyn, outer Queens) consistently — these have meaningfully better odds than Manhattan. If you live in a specific community district, prioritize buildings within that district where the 20% community preference gives you an edge. Apply to Mitchell-Lama waitlists simultaneously. Update your profile whenever your income, address, or household size changes — a stale profile can cause you to miss selection notices.
This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute housing, legal, or financial advice. NYCHA waitlist status, Housing Connect lottery availability, Mitchell-Lama application procedures, program income limits, and contact information are subject to change. All phone numbers, addresses, and program details have been compiled from publicly available official sources and are provided for informational reference — always verify directly with the agency, building, or program before relying on any information here. NYCHA public housing applications are managed through apply.nycha.info — there is no cost to apply. Housing Connect lottery applications are free at housingconnect.nyc.gov — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf. The NYCHA Section 8 HCV waitlist has been closed to general applicants since 2018 and was further restricted as of August 2025. This page is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by NYCHA, NYC HPD, NYC HDC, NYS HCR, or any development or organization mentioned.