Bronx housing advocates demand reforms to improve Housing Connect for low-income residents

A coalition of apartment seekers, local property managers, and nonprofit service providers gathered at a recent New York City Council meeting to address the urgent need for reform in the city’s affordable housing lottery system. The meeting highlighted the frustrations surrounding the Housing Connect program, which many believe is failing to serve low-income residents effectively.

Jamilia, a representative from the University Neighborhood Housing Program, shared alarming statistics: despite submitting over 13,000 applications, only 36 families have successfully secured housing through the lottery. She emphasized that the income requirements for most available units are far beyond what Bronx residents can afford, with many units requiring incomes that exceed $80,000. “The so-called affordable units remain far out of reach,” she stated, urging the council to mandate deeper affordability that reflects local wages.

The discussion also revealed significant communication issues within the Housing Connect system. Many applicants receive irrelevant notifications, leading to frustration and confusion. “If I’m getting an email for a lottery that begins with an income band of $83,000, it feels like a joke,” Jamilia remarked, calling for better transparency and personalized communication from the city.

Bridal Mitchell, director of real estate at UNHP, echoed these sentiments, sharing that many quality units remain vacant due to the lottery's inefficiencies. “We have low-income people in the community asking to rent these units, but they are not being connected through the lottery,” she explained. Mitchell advocated for a permanent exemption from the lottery for nonprofit organizations to expedite the rental process.

The meeting concluded with a call for a comprehensive overhaul of the Housing Connect system, emphasizing the need for a user-friendly interface and better support for applicants. As the city grapples with a housing crisis, the voices of those directly impacted are pushing for immediate action to ensure that affordable housing is accessible to all New Yorkers.