Persistence Pays Off: Winning the NYC Housing Lottery After 60 Attempts and Securing a $2,300 Rent in Brooklyn

Josh Ayala, a 26-year-old art director, reached a significant milestone when he won the New York City affordable-housing lottery, a journey that took him about a year of persistent applications. Now, he pays $2,345 per month for a studio apartment in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, which is considerably lower than the median monthly rent of $3,988 in the area according to the latest data from RentHop.com. This achievement is remarkable given the average ratio of 450 applications for each rental unit in the housing lottery, making Ayala’s win even more noteworthy.

Ayala’s journey began in February 2023 when he received an unexpected call regarding a Brooklyn apartment he had applied for. The call came over eight months after he submitted his application, catching him completely off guard. “I was like, wait, what? I totally forgot I applied to this,” Ayala told Business Insider, highlighting the long and often uncertain wait associated with the affordable-housing lotteries managed by the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the Housing Development Corporation.

Ayala first learned about the housing lottery program at the age of 21 from a colleague at his old job. He recalls hearing someone discuss the New York City Housing Connect and how it offered opportunities to move into new buildings with affordable rent. Although he wasn’t ready to move out at the time, he recognized the potential of the program and decided to keep it in mind for when he was ready to move.

Two years later, Ayala found himself ready to move out of his family’s three-bedroom home in Queens. He had just left his job to pursue a passion in the creative field and had been accepted into ONE School, a program designed to help Black creatives build a portfolio for the advertising industry. During this time, he was actively applying for housing and began to hear back from various places just as he finished the program and secured a new job.

To qualify for a lottery apartment, each household must meet specific income requirements that vary based on unit size and location. Ayala sent out more than 60 applications for different buildings across New York City, looking for a spacious apartment with plenty of natural light. He emphasized the importance of natural light for his mental health, especially during New York’s cold and gloomy winters. Additionally, he sought proximity to activities and public transportation, ensuring he wouldn’t be too far removed from the city’s vibrant life.

After viewing several apartments, none impressed Ayala as much as his current place in Greenpoint. This studio apartment met all his criteria: it had large windows, came equipped with a washer and dryer, a dishwasher, and was conveniently located near public transportation. Specifically, it was six minutes from an East River Route ferry terminal and an eight-minute walk from the Greenpoint Avenue subway station. Within a month of viewing the apartment, Ayala was offered the lease and moved in by June 2023. He recently renewed his lease for another year, paying $2,345 monthly along with $230 for the building’s amenity fees.

The process of securing a lottery apartment is meticulous, with applicants required to meet income and household size requirements during the initial move-in. Changes in household composition later do not impact the lease or the apartment situation, ensuring stability for residents. This aspect of the program provides peace of mind for tenants, knowing their housing situation remains secure despite any unforeseen changes in their household.

Moving into his apartment was a surreal experience for Ayala as it was his first home. Starting with minimal belongings, he viewed the space as a blank canvas. Although the apartment is around 500 square feet, the abundance of natural light made it feel more spacious. Ayala invested in quality furniture pieces that could last a long time, focusing on midcentury and Scandinavian styles. His apartment is now cozy, colorful, and filled with art pieces, many of which are his own creations.

Living in New York City presents significant challenges, especially concerning housing affordability. The median sales price for homes hit $785,000 in early 2024, and the median rent stands at $3,684, amidst the lowest housing inventory since 1968. Rents increased seven times as fast as wages from 2022 to 2023, making affordable housing programs like the lottery crucial for many residents. Ayala shares his housing lottery journey on TikTok to raise awareness about the program, hoping to inspire others to apply despite the competitive nature of the process.

Ayala recommends applying to as many places as possible and being open to different areas of the city. He stresses the importance of keeping essential documents handy and well-organized to streamline the application process. His advice is to make the journey easier for others, underscoring the life-changing potential of winning the affordable-housing lottery. By documenting his experience, Ayala aims to inform and motivate others about the opportunities that affordable housing programs can provide, potentially transforming lives one apartment at a time.