1. How it Works
The Mitchell-Lama program provides affordable rental and cooperative homeownership opportunities to families with moderate and middle incomes.
- You have to apply to each development waiting list separately.
- Apply to ones that fit your income, household size, and preferences.
- Applicants may apply to open waiting lists. Closed waiting lists do not accept new applicants.
- Entering the lottery for an open waiting list puts you in a lottery for the waiting list, not the next available unit.
- If your application is chosen from the lottery, you’ll be added to a waitlist and notified when a unit becomes available.
- It may take several years before a unit becomes available to people on a waiting list.
- Veterans may be entitled to a preference for Mitchell-Lama developments with an open waiting list.
- Mitchell-Lama housing lotteries are only one type of housing lottery. For other affordable housing opportunities, visit NYC Housing Connect.
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More ways to get help with this program
Visit the website
Visit HPD’s Mitchell-Lama page for more information.
Email HPD
Email [email protected] with questions.
Call HPD
Call 212-863-6500 with questions.
2. Determine your eligibility
Eligibility for Mitchell-Lama rental units is determined by:
- The size of the unit
- The number of people who will be living in the unit
- Your total household income which cannot be more than the limits shown below. Different developments have different limits:
| Household Size | Federally Assisted Rental | Federally Assisted Cooperative | Non-Federally Assisted |
| 1 | $86,960 | $135,875 | $135,875 |
| 2 | $99,440 | $155,375 | $155,375 |
| 3 | $111,840 | $174,750 | $174,750 |
| 4 | $124,240 | $194,125 | $194,125 |
| 5 | $134,160 | $209,625 | $209,625 |
| 6 | $144,080 | $225,125 | $225,125 |
| 7 | $154,080 | $240,750 | $240,750 |
| 8 | $164,000 | $256,250 | $256,250 |
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3. How to apply
Apply online
- Create an account on Mitchell-Lama Connect.
- Signing up for NYC Mitchell-Lama Connect will provide email notifications when additional waiting list lotteries open.
- Find developments with open wait list lotteries.
- Apply for developments with open waitlists. There is a non-refundable $75 application fee.
Additional Mitchell-Lama waiting lists are managed by NYS Homes and Community Renewal. See their list of developments for middle income families and seniors.
Apply by mail
- Find developments with open wait list lotteries. Scroll down to “How to Apply”.
- Call a development to request a wait list application.
- Complete and submit your wait list application by mail.
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