
By Gus Saltonstall
A pair of housing lotteries recently launched for apartments within a Mitchell-Lama building on the Upper West Side.
The two units are both within 711 Amsterdam Avenue, between West 94th and 95th streets, and will be accepting applications through Monday, November 10.
The Mitchell-Lama program was signed into law in 1955 and aims to provide affordable and cooperative housing to moderate and middle-income families in New York City.
Here’s more information on the two available apartments.
Three-Bedroom Apartment at 711 Amsterdam Avenue
- Purchase price: $61,215 to $66,316
- Income limit depending on household size: $26,840 to $235,000
- Monthly maintenance fee: $671 to $1,220
The eligible household size for the three-bedroom apartment is four to six people, but a single parent with two children can also apply.
You can find out more information and apply — HERE.
Four-Bedroom Apartment at 711 Amsterdam Avenue
- Purchase price: $76,517
- Income limit depending on household size: $49,040 to $267,375
- Monthly maintenance fee: $1,226 to $1,738
The eligible household size for the four-bedroom apartment is five to eight people.
You can find out more information and apply — HERE.
To apply for either application, you must also be at least 18 years old, a New York state resident, and pay a $75 application fee.
Subscribe to West Side Rag’s FREE email newsletter here. And you can Support the Rag here.






Good luck to all applicants! These are lotteries to be put on waiting lists . Sonce there are household size and income minimums and maximums you must be eligible now and if you are eventually chosen.
The building has at least two more vacant apartments. Most people on the waiting lists are probably no longer interested, having made other arrangements long ago.
You’d be surprised. I know people who live or used to live in that building. Some were on the waiting lists for years.
If you give the right person an envelope full of cash you win the lottery. That’s how it works.
That’s how they did it in the 80s not sure if it still applies now
I reflexively believe that, but is there any actual evidence the lottery is corrupt or even fairly overseen?
your comment is total bul…me, and my son won apartments by filling applications, and waiting for about 2 years.
Only 2 years? I know many people who’ve been on the lists for decades & never get a response. How’d you get called so quickly?
You’ve won more than one lottery? I know parents who applied for lotteries for 10 years, raising their kids in two-br walk ups, and as the kids grew up the parents no longer fit the criteria. They’re now more than halfway up the income scale but no longer have the extra 4-6 (!) people on board. You must understand why some people think the whole thing is sketchy when the income requirements range from $26,840 to $235,000.
The income requirements don’t seem to fit the usual Mitchel Lama guidelines. They were supposed to be middle income based on the area and family size. The lower limits are below poverty level.
Would love to see programs like this expanded! Unless you’re raking in millions a year, it’s impossible to save enough to afford a down payment and a mortgage and maintenance. People with healthy upper middle class incomes should be able to afford a home.
Stop electing NIMBYs and restrictionists, remove regulations and allow high rises to be built, and you won’t have to win (or “win”) a lottery to get an affordable apartment.
Long live Mitchell-Lama!
New buildings need to be erected.
This is shocking, as my aunt’s apartment has been vacant for over two years, a one-bedroom, and the co-op has yet to pay for the shares that were returned. Their excuse is having to wade through the waiting list. So why are these two apartments available in a lottery? And what about my cousin’s rent-controlled apartment at 36 West 84th Street that has to be available as rent-stabilized, for well over a year? No communication has been received from the building management.
How to tell someone about those apartments? I know people looking.
Different waiting lists for different size apartments.
I’m looking for a two bedroom apartment THANK YOU
I have section 8 how could I get application
Housingconnect.nyc.gov
Does Mitchell-lama accept Section 8?? I doubt it for coops.
No, Mitchell-llama Co-ops don’t accept section 8. You have to buy your unit with cash.
Looking for one bedroom apartment, I use to live in that area
lets do the math , , , 1000 applicants x $75 application fee = $75,000. So let me ask, who’s the real winner here? 🙂
Well, it is a lottery. That’s how they work, right? Lots of people buy tickets. Only 1-2 win.
I live in New York all my life number. I’m 59 years old and I can’t find an apartment. I have to still live with my baby mama.
I’ve been working for thirty eight years and i’m living in the living room.I need my own place.Thank you.Consider me for an apartment
“…have to still live with my ‘baby mama'”??? Nuts. She has to be in the same apartment as you. Wishing you both luck.
You say “I’m still living with my baby mama” as though that’s a bad thing 😂
Apply at Housingconnect.nyc.gov
I lived there in high school and my parents stayed on for the rest of their lives. We were on the waiting list and got in as the first owners in the 1960’s. A lovely community.
The comment about giving envelope to the right person is total bul…My family never gave anything to anybody. Me, and my son won apartments from this lotteries. These are great programs!
Lucky you. Thats how the stabilized apartments work! The whole system is corrupt and rhebcity tolerates it. Why do you think they just convicted a lawyer for faking the information to get an apartment? ….because she knew someone and it was rigged!
Hello my name is waldemer Lopez I am looking for one bedroom apartment I am in the program I have hasa and I need to move from where I’m at I’ve been here 6 years but I need something different I need a one bedroom with separate kitchen I have a studio right now and it’s not comfortable enough for me I am a very sick person I have a lot of health issues I’m 68 years old
I live in a studio that I’ll bet is smaller than yours, and I am in my sixties. It’s not comfortable enough for me, either. I don’t expect the NYC taxpayers to find me (or fund me) a larger apartment.
Great business $75 application fee x 1,000 applicants will be over $75,000 more than the cost of the apartment, good luck
Can household of two get a two bedroom
No. Mitchel Lama buildings have specific household size requirements. This building is unusual in having so many 3 and 4 bedroom apartments and it is probably harder to find as many large families within the income limits that apply.
Probably not. The larger apartments are mostly for 3,4,5 people. The apartments offered are 3 & 4 bedrooms which says 4 to 8 people. There’s no 2 bedrooms offered here.
Looking good place to living.
It isn’t a lottery..it’s a raffle! They charge $75 for each application. Honestly, in NYC there could easily be 100k applicants. That’s over 7 million bucks. Then the winner gets to buy the apt for less than $70,000. A win win for all! During the depression my father worked at a refinery. Every payday one guy raffled off chances to win his paycheck for $1 a ticket. Everyone at the refinery bought a chance. The guy did very well..and the winner was happy.
260w 122nd st Manhattan
I’m handicap,senior citizen age 67 iam first time interest along with being on NYCHA wait-list and homeless would like a reply about 711 amstersdam building.
Hi 👋 I’m interested in filling out application I have a section 8 3 bedroom voucher can I please receive a call or number to speak with someone I tried to fill it out on line but was unable to complete it requesting application in the mail
I am interested in applying for the affordable lottery housing. Please advise.
Hi, I’m just writing this casually ✍️, good things definitely won’t happen to me? I’m just a nobody on the side of the road in NY? Of course, who wouldn’t want to live in a new apartment? I hope I get selected in the lottery, and I hope for your blessings 🙏. Thank you! Hello, Housing Ambassador, I have a rental voucher worth $2762. Would you like to schedule a viewing? Thank you! Contact: zhulinchenyc@gmail.com
Do you know who the government buildings were built for? Does nobody know the answer?
Are the buildings to NYC DOB and NYC DOHMH Adm codes. Are you aware of HPD rules and regulations. Are the security teams well versed in tenants occupancy agreement. Do the managing agents hold a nys real estate license? Do you receive inspection reports during the closing?
I am a proud resident of new york and lived here for 50 years I work with the financial services company and involved in many communities.
Please include me in this lottery as i am retiring soon.
WSR has written a useful article. Don’t apply through WSR; they included links to the sources, above:
Three-Bedroom Apartment at 711 Amsterdam Avenue
You can find out more information and apply — HERE.
Four-Bedroom Apartment at 711 Amsterdam Avenue
You can find out more information and apply — HERE.
Good luck for everybody
What floor is the 3-Br apartment on? Does it have a terrace? When will the lottery winners be selected? When can the lottery winners move in? Has the apartment been renovated? Are there new appliances? New air conditioners? Are the floors in good shape?