In a move that could be seen as a boon for some New Yorkers, a new apartment complex at 570 Washington St. in Manhattan's West Village is offering a deal that's hard to ignore: $0 rent. This offer, detailed by PIX11, is available through NYC Housing Connect and applies to 122 units earmarked for households with at least one person aged 62 or above. The catch? Eligible tenants must not generate any form of income as they must qualify for Section 8 housing; otherwise, they're expected to contribute 30% of their income towards monthly rent.
According to the same PIX11 report, the amenities accompanying these units are nothing to scoff at, including a kitchen, a health and wellness center, social service offices, a library and computer room, a fitness center, a laundry room, and bike storage. Within the listing, it was also mentioned that all utilities are covered in the rent, and while pets generally are not allowed, accommodations will be made for those who require them. Would-be residents have until Oct. 27 to try their luck in the affordable housing lottery for this building.
Not to be outdone, Patch revealed that there are more affordable housing opportunities on the horizon, with ten lotteries across New York City set to expire in the upcoming week. These span across various boroughs with one in Manhattan, five in the Bronx, and four in Brooklyn. Created in 2013, NYC Housing Connect provides a platform for New Yorkers to apply for affordable leasing and purchasing opportunities, although one must fit certain income and family size criteria to be eligible.
Real estate developers have been known to set aside a number of affordable units to gain the support and approval of city officials and community boards, as noted by the NYC Department of Housing and Preservation. Designed to keep living costs at one-third or less of a household’s income, these lotteries also have provisions for people with disabilities, city employees, and residents within the community district of the building's location. When users submit an application for an eligible unit, they are given a log number, and winners are then selected randomly by an automated system in a lottery fashion. For a complete list of expiring housing lotteries, interested parties can visit the Patch website.
