Lottery Offers 'Affordable' $1,700 Crown Heights Housing

CROWN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — The luck of the draw — and a relatively hefty income — will land hopeful renters into a flat, gray building in a sea of red brick Crown Heights homes.

The neighborhood's latest "affordable" housing offering at 1603 Lincoln Place is now up for lottery applications, a listing states.

The newly constructed gray building stands out from its red- and white-brick neighbors along Lincoln Place. Inside, there are four apartments — three studios and a one-bedroom — up for grabs, according to the listing.

The studios cost $1,625 a month and are open to people who make at least $55,715 a year, the listing states.

The one-bedroom costs $1,700 a month and its income requirement begins at $58,286 but goes up to six figures, depending on the household size, the listing states.

Crown Heights' typical income is nearly $82,000 year and 11 percent of its people live in poverty, according to the U.S. Census.

Many advocates criticize the way income requirements, especially in Brooklyn, often leave truly-needy people behind when it comes to housing lottery offerings.

Another lottery listing in Washington Heights in Manhattan offers $900 a month apartments for those making as little as $30,000 a year, by contrast.

The Crown Heights listing is open for households making up to about $125,000 a year, according to the lottery.

Applications must be made by March 16.