Rockland To Hold Lotteries For Affordable Housing Wait Lists

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — Rockland officials will offer residents a chance to get on a waiting list for affordable housing in the county through an online lottery in May.

"We are encouraging anyone who believes they are eligible to apply to this program," said County Executive Ed Day. "Remember that there is no cost to apply, and no one will ask an applicant for any payment. We also ask that applicants please keep in mind that there are a limited number of vouchers available."

On April 19, the county hosted its second annual housing forum. Rockland’s first-ever comprehensive community and affordable housing needs assessment findings include:

• Nearly 60% of homes in Rockland are single-family detached homes averaging at $700,000.
• The median household income in Rockland is $100,000, which only qualifies for a $260,000 mortgage.
• A housing deficit of 4200 units for those making under $60,000 (includes essential workers such as teachers, first responders, retail workers, government employees)
• More than 40% of Rocklanders spend 30% or more of their household income on housing, leaving little extra for all other purchases or emergencies.

There are five locations for which waiting lists will be created, plus a "Mainstream List" requiring applicants to find their own housing that accepts Section 8 vouchers.

Through the Housing Choice Voucher Program lotteries, a household can apply to get on the waiting list for one chosen program only. Each waiting list is limited to a certain number of applicants.

Mainstream Wait List: Applicants must find their own housing in Rockland County (300 applicants randomly chosen to form a Wait List). Verification of disability and homelessness is required. To be eligible for this application, a person must be under 62 years of age, disabled, and homeless, at risk of homelessness or transitioning out of segregated care.

Youngblood Senior Housing Building Wait List: There are 10 units within this complex on a Project Based Voucher Contract located at 201 N. Main Street, Spring Valley, NY. (100 applicants randomly chosen to form a list). To be eligible for a voucher or for this Wait List, a person must be 62 years of age or older.

Walnut Hills Senior Housing Wait List: There are 94 units within this complex involved with the Project Based contract located on Route 9W, West Haverstraw, NY. (200 applicants randomly chosen to form a list). To be eligible for a voucher or for this Wait List, a person must be 62 years of age or older.

Depew Manor Senior Housing: There are 45 units within this complex involved with the Project Based contract located on Depew Avenue, Nyack NY. (100 applicants randomly chosen to form a list). To be eligible for a voucher or for this Wait List, a person must be 62 years of age or older.

Spring Valley Preservation: There are 58 units within this complex involved with the Project Based voucher contract located at Lakeview Village and Highview Apartments, Spring Valley, NY. (100 applicants randomly chosen to form a list). There is no age requirement as some units are for 62+ and some units are 1-5 Bedrooms.

Spring Valley Site III: There are 15 units within this complex involved with the Project Based voucher contract at 46 N. Madison Ave. Spring Valley, NY (100 applicants randomly chosen to form a list). To be eligible for a voucher or for this Wait List, a person must be 62+ years of age or older.

The May lottery program includes six separate lotteries which will be conducted simultaneously and will result in six separate lists. Only one application per household will be accepted. If multiple applications are received for same household, both will be void.

The lottery will take place from 8 a.m. May 13 through 5 p.m. May 24.

Applications will be accepted only online and only starting May 13.

The county has named an outside organization to handle the applications and lotteries. It has a support team that can answer waiting list inquiries by phone (866) 466-7328, M-F 9 AM-6 PM or by email at: support@AffordableHousing.com.

You must first set up a new account, which may be set up prior to waitlist opening, though applications cannot be submitted until the waitlist is open.

Applicants who are elderly or require assistance because of a disability, may call 845-364-3949 or email rocklandhcv@co.rockland.ny.us between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday - Friday during the application period May 13-24. Would-be applicants with hearing or speech disabilities using TDD or TTY technology may call New York Relay Services by dialing 7-1-1 for assistance.

Once the waiting list closes eligible applicants will receive a notification by email of their lottery number and will be placed on the waiting list in a randomized order. Applicants will be notified 30 days after the closing of the list.

To apply for one of the wait lists, use this link.

For more information about income limits and other program requirements visit:
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) | Rockland County, NY (rocklandcountyny.gov)