This is How the Housing Lottery Process Works from A-Z (New York: for sale, 2014)
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@Plexor - There is no actual interview. It's Just Getting A Post card, coming in, being shown the individual units based on what you want, 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom, and submitting requested documents like drivers license, paystubs, etc.
They ran my credit check that same week after I came in. They don't save that to the end. The credit and background must all be completed before being awarding the applicant a unit. You can ask if your specific lottery has a specific credit rating requirement. I'm sure they all do. Mine said all applicants must have 700 and above so you know hundreds of applicants were disqualified once their credit was run.
Okay let me be more specific, I applied online NYC CONNECT and 1 year later got a letter for an interview. After they recalculated my income they said I qualified, all that was left was to run my credit and submit it to the city??? that doesn't make any sense to me.
Yes, that is the process. They'll run your credit and I'm sure they informed you what the credit requirement is such as (nothing under 650 or 700). Once all their personal checks go through (credit, background, employment, criminal record), they'll call you to formally congratulate you and inform you of the unit. Of course, it's officially written in stone once you sign your lease.
The problem is, the people doing the credit check (probably HPD) are very SLOW with a capital S. They personify all the bad stereotypes of city employees so it might be a few weeks before they get back to you. In some instances, they'll get back to you right away especially if you're latin or black. HPD employees are majority latin/black so when it comes to helping their OWN community - they're insanely responsive.
Is the lottery you applied for low or middle income?
Thanks q4, well this is a low income apartment. the whole building is low & middle income. Your post was very helpful and I actually called the office the other day where I was told management has yet to run my credit. Also, I had the work verification done electronically. Would they also send a letter?
Would who send what letter? They're supposed to conduct all those checks. You're only obligated to supply paystubs, tax return etc.
The whole process is ridiculously drawn out for no reason. You can always check online to see if they run your credit. I checked mine the same week and they did it that same week after I submitted the requested documents. I'm sure they made you sign something authorizing HPD to run your credit and do a background check.
How much is the 1 bedroom going to be for you? Is it a new building?
I honestly don't think they contact those applicants in any special order over anyone else. I wouldn't give the city employees to much credit for having an elaborate method when selecting their tenants.
I think everyone is lumped into the same bucket. However, next to the log number there is 2 letters which indicate if you have community board preference or disability. If your log number says: 369 GL it means general log and there's no preference. CB means community board and so on. So if there's 500 people getting called in, the only thing that distinguishes them is the 2 letter code. I'm sure CB and city employees will have low log numbers to gurantee them a unit. Lotteries love city employees.
@q41apartments -- your information is so helpful, so thank you for taking the time to share your insight with this group. I've read through many of your posts and you've answered most of my questions about the overall process.
I am wondering how you knew what your lottery number was? Is the "log #" listed next to my application on the NYC Housing Connect website synonymous with my "lottery #"? I applied for middle income housing at Hunters Point South and have a very low "log #" (under 250), but have been trying to track down what this means for the past week or so to no avail. Thank you.
250 is a good number. HPS said they'd be reaching out to applicants in Q1 which I'm guessing will be next month. I Doubt They'll Call you. I'm sure everything will be old fashioned traditional mail and your log number will be listed on the bottom of the postcard and any abbreviations will be included as well such a CB or GL.
Are you low or middle income?
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