New 'Affordable' Brooklyn Housing Lottery Only For $73K And Up

BROOKLYN, NY — The latest “affordable” housing lottery to open up in Brooklyn is only for people who make at least $74,000 a year.

Twenty-six apartments at 406 Remsen Avenue, an eight-story mixed-use building in East Flatbush, entered the city’s lottery this week, promising affordable rent-stabilized apartments and homeownership opportunities.

But the income requirements put the apartments out of reach for many residents in a neighborhood where low-income, longtime locals have steadily found fewer places to live.

According to the lottery, monthly rents are $2,030 for one-bedroom apartments and $2,363 for two-bedrooms.

Applicants must earn at least $73,166 a year, with income limits topping out at $227,500, the listing states.

By comparison, the typical household in East Flatbush earns about $66,236 a year, according to U.S. Census data.

At 80 percent of the area median income (AMI), the lottery offers seven studios with rents of $1,927 per month for households earning $73,166 to $103,680; eight one-bedroom units at $2,030 per month for incomes of $78,995 to $116,640; and 11 two-bedroom units at $2,363 per month for incomes of $95,520 to $140,000.

At 130 percent of AMI, five two-bedroom units are available at $2,750 per month for households earning $108,789 to $227,500.

Amenities within the building include gated access, an elevator, garage, bike storage lockers, a shared laundry room, a gym, storage, and a senior center.

Each apartment comes with air conditioning, energy-efficient appliances, patios or balconies, and name-brand kitchen appliances, countertops, and finishes. Tenants are responsible for electricity, including stove, heat and hot water, according to the listing.

The listing states applicants who are mobility- or vision/hearing-disabled will be given preference.

Applications end Feb. 16.