East Harlem 'Affordable' Units Require $73K, $87K Incomes

EAST HARLEM, NY — Four East Harlem apartments deemed "affordable" by the city required tenants to earn at least $73,715 for a one-bedroom or $87,429 for a two-bedroom, according to a city housing lottery.

The below-market units at 301 E. 117th St., near Second Avenue, are reserved for tenants earning 130% of the area median income, which the city classifies as "middle income." Rents for the building's one-bedroom units are $2,150 per month and rents for the two-bedroom units are $2,550 per month. While the rents may be lower than non-regulated units in the East 117th Street building, they can hardly be described as "affordable" for the neighborhood.

Developers are required to offer the four apartments at below-market rates because they are receiving a tax exemption through the city Department of Housing Preservation and Development's 421a program.

Here's a more detailed breakdown of the units and eligibility requirements:

Prospective tenants may apply for the lottery through the city's Housing Connect website. A mail-in application can be requested by sending a self-addressed envelope to: MGNY Consulting, c/o 301 East 117th Street Apartments, 18 Bridge St, Suite 2D, Brooklyn, NY 11201. Applications must be sent or postmarked by Aug. 21.

No preference will be given for current East Harlem residents, but a small percentage of the units will be set aside for people with vision, hearing and mobility disabilities.