Rejected from an NYC housing lottery? How to appeal
A rejection notice has to say why you were turned down and how to appeal. The deadline is short, so act as soon as you get it.
The deadline
You have 10 business days from the postmark on the rejection letter to send your appeal.
What to send
- A letter to the building's marketing agent explaining why the decision is wrong. The rejection letter says where to send it.
- Documents that support it, for example a newer pay stub if your income was miscounted, or proof that a court case or debt was resolved.
What happens next
- You keep your place in the lottery order while the appeal is reviewed.
- A supervisor who didn't make the first decision reviews it.
- If the appeal succeeds, you're approved or put on the waitlist.
- If it fails, the new letter must give specific reasons.
If the appeal fails
You can complain to the city agency in charge, HPD or HDC, within five business days of the postmark or sent date of the appeal rejection. Explain in writing why you think it's wrong and include documents that support it. The letter says which agency to contact and how.
Your other applications
A rejection from one building doesn't affect your other applications: they stay active. If the problem was your income or household size, check how to count your household income before applying again.
Checked against official NYC sources on October 31, 2026.