For Apartment-Seekers
I need affordable housing. How can HPD
help?
Information about affordable rental apartments rehabilitated
through HPD programs is available by calling the Affordable Housing Hotline at
311 (311 can be accessed outside of New York City by dialing (212) NEW YORK).
Information about affordable homeownership options is also available on this
website at our homeownership
page and by calling 311 to request a homeownership kit. The City itself does
not sell homes, but works with real estate professionals and community sponsors
to market homes. You will see phone numbers listed for our partners at our
homeownership page, and you will need to contact them directly to receive an
application that is specific to each development. The HPD website also offers general
information about buying a home in New York City.
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What is the 80/20 Program?
The
80/20 Program, sponsored by the New York State Housing Finance Agency, the New
York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and the New York City Department
of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), uses tax-exempt bonds to create
affordable housing for low-income tenants in generally desirable locations
throughout the city. The use of tax-exempt bonds to finance the construction of
large residential buildings in the city greatly reduces costs. In exchange for
the low-cost financing, 20% of the apartment units are reserved for low-income
tenants earning no more than 50% of area median income. See Low Income
Housing Tax Credit Rent and Income Limits for more details.
The apartments are not necessarily labeled "80/20" in advertisements, but
would say "affordable housing."
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How do I apply for an apartment created through
the 80/20 program?
Apartments created through the 80/20 Program and
sponsored by the NewYork State Housing Finance Agency are advertised in the real
estate section of local newspapers and on the web site of the New York State Division of
Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR). HDC- and HPD-sponsored 80/20
apartments are also advertised in local newspapers and on the agencies'
respective web pages: www.nychdc.org and www.nyc.gov/hpd. Additionally,
HPD has an Affordable Housing Hotline that describes available apartments and
provides information on obtaining an application. For further information,
please call 311 (311 can be accessed outside of New York City by dialing (212)
NEW YORK).
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What is a community
preference?
HPD gives preference for either the sale or rental of 50% of
all homes, co-ops, condominiums and rental apartments it creates or
rehabilitates to current residents of the community board district where the
homes are located. All applicants must meet the individual program requirements
to be eligible and be selected by lottery. The community preference was
established to provide greater housing opportunities for long-time residents of
New York City neighborhoods where HPD has made a significant investment in
housing. Preference is also given to active duty uniformed NYC police officers, New York City
municipal employees, people who are mobility impaired, and people who are
vision impaired.
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How does the lottery
processwork?
One week after the application deadline, the developer for
the homes and an HPD representative go to the Post Office to retrieve all of the
completed applications received within the application period. Both parties take
the sealed applications to a separate location, mix them by hand and empty them
into a large bag. During the lottery, the developer randomly draws the sealed
applications from the bag, and assigns a matching number to the envelope and the
application inside the envelope. Relevant information from the application, such
as applicant's name, address, family size, income and Community Board district,
is entered onto a log sheet. This process is repeated until the number of
applications opened and recorded in the log equals at least 20 times the number
of apartments/homes available.
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Do I have to write my social security number and bank
account number in applications for housing lotteries?
No, you do not have
to include your social security number and bank account number in applications.
If you are selected in the lottery, you will be called for an interview. If you
are eligible for the apartment, the developer may then request your social
security number and bank account number to do a credit check or to verify your
income.
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Would my application for HPD-sponsored housing be
considered if I have bad credit or a bankruptcy?
A private developer has
a right to refuse an applicant on the grounds of bad credit or a bankruptcy,
according to HPD's marketing guidelines.
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What happens after the
lottery is completed?
After the drawing, the developer schedules
interviews (in numerical order of the log sheet) with prospective homeowners. To
make the process more efficient, HPD strongly recommends that the developer
interview applicants who meet the various preference requirements (resident of
Community Board district where development is located, active duty uniformed NYC
police officers, municipal employees, mobility impaired, vision impaired) prior
to interviewing other applicants.
All applicants must meet the individual program requirements to be eligible
and receive the community preference. No application fee or broker fee is
required. If an applicant passes the interview, the developer may require a fee
to conduct a credit check on the applicant.
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How long does the interview
process for renting an apartment take?
Generally, the interview process
is completed within one month after the application deadline. Due to the large
volume of applications submitted for each development, only applicants selected
for an interview will be called regarding the status of their application. The
same lottery process is used to select buyers for City-sponsored homes for
sale.
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What does it mean if I don't receive a call
requesting an interview?
Applicants will not receive a call for an
interview if
- Their application was not drawn before the developer reached the amount
that corresponds to 20 times the number of homes/apartments available for sale
or rent;
- They did not meet the eligibility requirements for the program through
which the home/apartment was developed,
- Or their application was received after the deadline
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What should I do if my building
owner is harassing me?
Building owners are prohibited by law from
harassing tenants to force them out of their apartments. Examples of harassment
include verbal or physical abuse, consistent withholding of services, or
persistent physical or mental intimidation.
Tenants in rent regulated apartments who believe they are being harassed by
their building owner may contact the New York State Division of Housing and
Community Renewal (DHCR). Call 311 for information or visit DHCR's website.
Tenants who live in buildings that are not rent regulated who believe they
are being harassed may have grounds to initiate legal action in Housing Court
against their building owners. Tenants may want to consult with and secure the
services of an attorney before initiating any lawsuit. Tenants who cannot afford
legal representation may be eligible for free or inexpensive assistance from the
Legal Aid Society, which may be reached at (212) 577-3300. Tenants may also seek
legal assistance from HPD's Fair
Housing Counselors who offer advice and Housing Court Mediation services.
Assistance is also available at information tables set up in Housing Court.
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