New York City’s housing department is set to simplify the process of renting vacated affordable apartments, but quick action will be necessary for prospective tenants.
Beginning May 1, 2024, and continuing until April 30, 2026, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) will waive specific bureaucratic regulations governing how landlords can fill these vacancies.
During this period, landlords and brokers will have the opportunity to publicly advertise available affordable-housing units on platforms such as Streeteasy, Craigslist, and the HPD’s own website.
Eligible individuals searching for apartments will also benefit from a more streamlined application system. Unlike the traditional lottery system, known as Housing Connect, applicants will now be able to apply directly for available units.
This first-come, first-served method aims to expedite the re-rental process. Once a landlord or broker verifies an applicant’s eligibility, they can submit the necessary information to HPD for approval. If the applicant is approved, they can move in without unnecessary delays.
This initiative is designed to eliminate the red tape that has kept numerous affordable apartments vacant, often for extended periods. Officials from HPD assert that this change aligns with their broader efforts to make access to income-restricted subsidized housing easier and faster.
Emily Osgood, HPD’s associate commissioner, commented on the agency’s ongoing commitment to revamping the affordable housing application process. “We are rolling out regularly, and especially right now, a whole suite of changes and updates to make the entire process of getting into affordable housing easier and faster,” she stated.
Currently, New Yorkers looking to secure affordable housing must navigate the lotteries listed on Housing Connect. However, upon the departure of a tenant from an affordable apartment, the process of filling that vacancy can become convoluted.
Statistics reveal that each year, between 2% and 5% of affordable apartments become available for re-rental. HPD estimates that as of April 2024, approximately 800,000 people are registered on Housing Connect and have indicated an interest in future re-rental opportunities.
Previously, landlords faced restrictions that made it difficult to market these vacancies through Housing Connect or any other channels. The intention behind the system was to ensure an equitable filling of affordable units; however, the reality proved to be less efficient, often leaving many units unoccupied for extended periods.
This inefficiency has raised significant concerns among housing advocates and stakeholders. Rachel Fee, executive director of the New York Housing Conference, indicated that the former mini-lottery system has added unnecessary challenges that leave affordable apartments unoccupied.
“It was leading to long-time vacancies, loss of revenue for owners, and this delayed access of New Yorkers getting into affordable housing,” Fee remarked.
Wavecrest Management, a prominent firm managing several affordable buildings in the city, highlighted the consequences of the previous regulations. They reported that vacant apartments subject to the mini-lottery sit empty for an average of 84 days, while those available on a first-come, first-served basis are filled within 43 days.
Christina Harsch, director of leasing and compliance at Wavecrest, emphasized the urgency of the situation. “Every day that an affordable apartment sits empty because of a complicated vetting process is a disservice to New Yorkers in need,” she asserted.
To maintain transparency and accountability, HPD will conduct audits of applicant logs to ensure that landlords and brokers process re-rental applications based on the first-come, first-served principle.
Kevin Kiprovski, who oversees public policy for LiveOn NY, an organization that advocates for senior housing providers, echoed the frustrations regarding the prior re-rental procedures. He noted that bureaucratic hindrances often delayed the re-renting process, particularly in cases where a tenant has passed away, despite the apartment being ready for new occupants.
The agency is optimistic that the changes will enhance the overall efficiency of renting out affordable units, allowing for quicker entry into housing for those in need.
In a further effort to simplify the application process, HPD will also reduce the amount of documentation required from applicants to verify their eligibility. This includes minimizing redundancy in income and household size information to streamline the process.
Osgood emphasized the importance of this reform, stating, “We’re cutting to the absolutely essential information to make sure we’re being responsible with public resources and getting housing to people who need it, but also not burdening New Yorkers in the eligibility process.”
The HPD’s new approach is expected to benefit both landlords and potential tenants while addressing the longstanding issue of vacant affordable housing units.
With these significant changes set to take effect, the city’s hope is that renters seeking affordable housing will find new opportunities with less hassle and more efficiency.
image source from：https://www.thecity.nyc/2025/04/24/affordable-housing-lottery-vacant-apartments-empty-rentals/
