Finding an apartment in New York City can be a struggle. Finding an affordable apartment, however, can seem downright impossible. This is why some individuals look to Housing Connect to apply for housing that is more cost effective.

In 2013, Housing Connect created a lottery system in which individuals can apply for selection of affordable housing in New York. In an effort to make finding an affordable living situation more widely available, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development has new rules to ensure fairness. Changes include:

• A poor credit score cannot be the only reason for denying affordable housing.
• If you apply for affordable housing, you must use it as your primary residence.
• Interview locations must be easy to get to and find. If interpretation services are needed, they must be provided.
• You no longer need to provide employment history if you are self-employed.
• Landlords must limit bankruptcy consideration to a 12-month review.
• The appeals process is easier to accomplish if you think the housing department denied you unlawfully.

Many individuals have found the city’s affordable housing lottery to be very selective, with a long waiting list. The process takes a good amount of time, which can be stressful if you are not in a position to wait. However, there are individuals who find a residence using the system. If the landlord rejects your affordable housing application, there are a couple of options.

Depending on the reasoning behind the rejection, you may want to appeal the denial or seek legal counsel. It can be challenging to navigate affordable housing in New York City, but with new changes in effect, there may be a light at the end of the tunnel.