You Must Earn $135K To Qualify For 'Affordable' Bed-Stuy Apartment

BED-STUY, NY — Nine “affordable” apartments in Bedford-Stuyvesant are listed through the NYC housing lottery—but applicants must earn at least $135,360 a year.

The six-story building at 584 Gates Avenue is offering the units as part of the city’s affordable housing program, but the steep income requirement shows just how out of reach some “affordable” apartments can be for the average Brooklynite.

The one-bedroom apartments come with $3,700 monthly rents and are available only to applicants earning well over $100,000 a year. By comparison, the typical Brooklyn resident makes about $81,027 annually, up roughly 5.4 percent from $76,912 in 2023, according to the U.S. Census.

The requirements are even further removed from Bed-Stuy’s neighborhood median, which stands at roughly $75,000.

The lottery units feature open layouts designed for both relaxation and entertaining. Each apartment includes hardwood floors and contemporary fixtures, with modern kitchens equipped with high-quality appliances, combining style and functionality, according to the listing.

Many housing advocates argue that income requirements—especially in Brooklyn—often leave the people who need affordable housing the most out of reach, raising questions about who these lottery programs truly serve.

Prospective renters must meet specific income and household size requirements to qualify. Applications must be submitted online or postmarked by Feb. 17, officials said.

Click here to submit your application.