Among seniors, rates of housing insecurity are higher than the national average. About 43% of New York households with a person 75 and older and 37% of those with at least one person aged 62 to 74 faced housing insecurity, according to a 2024 report by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Nationally, rates of housing insecurity for these age groups average at 34% and 29%.
Because older adults may have retired or are not working as much, their lower income puts them at a disadvantage.
In New York City in particular, rents and affordable housing shortages are on the rise, as many older New Yorkers who live on fixed incomes struggle to pay rent. Additionally, seniors who are also renters of color face even higher rates of housing insecurity and are left at a greater risk of becoming homeless.
A housing lottery directed to seniors
A recently released Mitchell-Lama lottery can provide seniors looking for affordable rents with a solution. Mitchell-Lama lotteries are released when spots on waiting lists for government-subsidized affordable housing units open up.
The rental is a studio apartment located at Hamilton House on the Upper West Side in Manhattan, at 141 West 73rd Street. You can view this listing on the Mitchell-Lama website.
The rental price for the apartment ranges from $1,034 to $1,182 per month and the apartment has a maximum occupancy of three people.
The deadline to apply for the lottery is August 9.
Here are some of the requirements to apply:
- The head of household must be 62 years or older
- You must fall under a certain income limit range (between $41,358-$174,750)
- You must be a New York State resident
- Applications can be submitted online at Mitchell-Lama Connect or by mail. The address and directions for mailed applications are on the lottery listing at the end of this article.
- Veterans will be given preference if selected
- The waiting list limit for this lottery is 500 applicants
You can apply online here or mail your application to this address:
Hamilton Housing Dev. Company
P.O. Box 105
New York, NY 10272
To learn more about applying for this lottery online and what happens if you get on the waitlist, read our recent article here for step-by-step instructions and additional tips.
I’m a senior and this Is very valuable information. Just Imagine someone working hard all their life, supporting the system by paying their taxes and providing service to others. They retire become a senior living on a fixed income and can’t secure proper housing, because the rents are too high. Thank You! Jesus for government- subsidized affordable housing units. Thank you, Ms. Giacone for taking the time to write this helpful, trustworthy, and much needed article. You are to be applauded 👏🏾 🌹