Housing Lottery (apartment, income, moving)

[apapaco]

Hi!
I got notified that I’m #5 on a waitlist for a housing lottery apartment. However, they didn’t give me an interview date nor did they notify me that I need to submit documents. I asked when I should, they said they don’t have a timeframe of when I’ll be contacted for an interview or be required to submit documents. This waiting game sucks! I wonder how long this process will take. Ok, so I get contacted in 6 months to come in for an interview and let’s say I get approved. How long after that will I get an apartment. How long until there’s a vacant apartment and I’m next. Kinda frustrating! Any advice or feedback is so much appreciated!

[vgome013]

Originally Posted by apapaco

Hi!
I got notified that I’m #5 on a waitlist for a housing lottery apartment. However, they didn’t give me an interview date nor did they notify me that I need to submit documents. I asked when I should, they said they don’t have a timeframe of when I’ll be contacted for an interview or be required to submit documents. This waiting game sucks! I wonder how long this process will take. Ok, so I get contacted in 6 months to come in for an interview and let’s say I get approved. How long after that will I get an apartment. How long until there’s a vacant apartment and I’m next. Kinda frustrating! Any advice or feedback is so much appreciated!

Well you gotta look at it like this... 5 people need to move out from there for you to get that apt. Which means it could be months or years. But the way NYC housing is moving it might be sooner than we would think. between submitting documents and interviews and seeing the apt and stuff it can be months before you actually move in.

[WildAboutHarry]

Originally Posted by vgome013

Well you gotta look at it like this... 5 people need to move out from there for you to get that apt. Which means it could be months or years. But the way NYC housing is moving it might be sooner than we would think. between submitting documents and interviews and seeing the apt and stuff it can be months before you actually move in.

It’s possible the number is less than 5 if lottery people have dropped out or never responded. Also, a log# might reject a unit quickly for any reason, too small, too far, too much money.

If 5 households move out of five two bed units and you only qualify for a studio or one bed that does not help you. But this can be an excellent opportunity that you might never get again. It comes with the aggravation of waiting and not knowing when things will happen for you.

Learning some concrete facts might help ease the burden. How many units are in the building that you qualify for on household size and income? If it’s an old building someone might volunteer the info that X number of vacancies occur each year more or less.