How do I apply for Mitchell-Lama? (apartments, rentals, co-ops)

[Filomena44]

I'm familiar with Housing Connect website, but are Mitchell-Lama's posted there? Or do I apply separately? Is there any centralized way to do it, or do I have to track down each one individually? Any guidance would be much appreciated!

Also, if I'm somehow picked and on a waiting list, my income has to stay within the qualifications for all those years, right?

[randomperson2]

On the old Housing Connect, there was a separate section for Mitchell-Lamas.

On the new, who knows how they will handle it?

I think they all advertise through Housing Connect now (maybe they're required to?) but a few still only take actual applications in paper form.

[macnyc2003]

I would recommend using the link below and doing a little digging. In other words, I think you should track down each one individually.

Mitchell Lamas tend to fall into two categories: the ones with open waiting lists, and the ones with closed waiting lists. (They also fall into rentals and co-ops, but that's another story.)

For those with open waiting lists, you can just apply. You pay the fee, and you're on the list.

The more popular buildings and developments tend to have closed waiting lists. But even those lists open up once in a while. When that happens, a lottery will be held, and it will appear on NYC Housing Connect, at least in theory. (Who knows, with this new site?)

If you're industrious, you can get on quite a few waiting lists just on your own.

https://www1.nyc.gov/site/hpd/servic...a-program.page

[Filomena44]

Thank you!

[Filomena44]

And since we're on the subject - thinking long-term, ideally I'd like to get a place that I can eventually pass down to my son. With that in mind, should I be looking at co-ops?

I've heard about co-ops being privatized or something like that? But I assume it would still offer more stability than a rental?

[shadypinesma]

If you want to pass it down to your son there are very strict rules in place you must follow. He must live in the apartment, physically, with you, for at least 2 years prior to your passing. He must also file his income affidavits for at least two of those years. You won't be able to pass it down to him unless he meets those requirements.

[Filomena44]

Okay, I see... So if I get an apartment, I'll have to find a good psychic to tell me when I'm going to die, and make sure my son is living with me for two years before...

But seriously, thank you for the info!

[macnyc2003]

Originally Posted by Filomena44

Okay, I see... So if I get an apartment, I'll have to find a good psychic to tell me when I'm going to die, and make sure my son is living with me for two years before...

But seriously, thank you for the info!

I'm sure you don't mean to be flippant, but MLs have these rules to make sure that people on the waiting list who qualify for apartments eventually get them. Otherwise, residents might allow family members who are not qualified to "inherit" the property, and that would be unfair.

People wait decades for these apartments, and just to have a son or daughter swoop in ahead of them, is terrible.

What's wrong with your son getting his own ML if he needs affordable housing so badly?

[Filomena44]

I apologize! You're absolutely right.

My son is young right now, I'm just thinking ahead and trying to understand the process. Thank you again for the information.

[shadypinesma]

You should think proactively and get him to apply for every list he can! If he's over 18 but still young it could be 10+ years before he gets in somewhere anyway.