Affordable Housing Utility Allowance in 80/20 Buildings ?! (low income, affordable apartment, lease)

[ladygaga1]

Hi everyone

Some of you may remember me. I moved into 225 E 39 Street earlier this year and couldn't be happier! The building is incredible and apartment exceeded all of my expectations!


I have a question for anyone who has also been fortunate enough to win the housing lottery :

Is the electric included in the utility allowance? HPD/NYC provide the developers a monthly allowance of around $60/month per affordable apartment for the utilities. Gas & water are covered in this building, however, the heat is electric.

The first few months on my lease I was not charged for electric but they started charging me recently. Isn't electricity considered a utility as well especially if the heat is electric powered? Anyone know if HPD has a policy on this?


Thanks again and good luck to all who are still in the process!!! Do not give up !

[Bstn28]

Here’s how I understand it:

You still have to pay for electric regardless. The 60 dollar allowance is a discount on the rent for your own benefit, because typically electric is more expensive in newer buildings.

[NYC refugee]

If the electric is used for heating and you can't make the payment, you can see if you qualify for HEAP, but usually you need to be pretty low income.

[NewToUES]

In my building we don't pay utilities directly, it comes with the rent bill. The allowance is deducted from that amount and we pay the difference.

[BugsyPal]

Sounds like NYCHA. *LOL*

[ladygaga1]

Originally Posted by NewToUES

In my building we don't pay utilities directly, it comes with the rent bill. The allowance is deducted from that amount and we pay the difference.

We do not pay electric directly either. It's added to the rent bill and we pay the rent + electric.

The first few months, they would charge the rent + electric then deduct using the allowance . Now I end up paying more since they are only deducting it for the water + gas it seems ..

[NYC refugee]

Ask your management office why it's changed.

[Bryy7]

In my building in flatiron utilities are included as well in the rent except for the electricity bill i pay that separate through con edison..

[deslove]

My building is the same way, I asked the super if it's separate and he basically say yes. You pay for the electric heat...

When I signed my lease, i saw the allowance too but she told me "dont worry about that".

[Moving415]

My understanding is that the heat in these new developments is not included. This is ususally clear in the announcements of the project. But you can control the heat in your own apartment (keep it super low when you're not there), and most of these buildings are much more energy efficient than, well, definitely where I'm living now...you can probably keep this heating cost under control with some vigilance. But please post about your experience with the heating, as cost to heat affects a lot of us. Glad you're enjoying your new place!