Affordable housing in Upstate New York: open waitlists and lotteries

Upstate New York has 48 open affordable housing listings on Fair Shot Housing right now: 2 lotteries, 43 waitlists and 3 Section 8 or public housing waitlists. Posted rents run from $541 to $2,635 a month. The next application deadline is Oct 30, 2026.

See which of these I qualify for Browse all 48 listings

Closing soon in Upstate New York

These have the nearest application deadlines.

Closes in 24 daysFor rent

Perry Homes Phase 1 Waitlist

Buffalo, NY

Income-restricted rental · Waitlist

$784–$1,478/mo

1–4 bedrooms

Closes in 30 daysFor rent

Southridge Landing

Rochester, NY

Income-restricted rental · Lottery

$780–$1,807/mo

42 homes · 1–3 bedrooms

Closes Nov 16For rent

Harrison Place Lofts

Lockport, NY

Income-restricted rental · Lottery

$652–$1,460/mo

81 homes · 1–2 bedrooms

Quick facts for Upstate New York

Open listings: 482 lotteries, 43 waitlists, 3 Section 8 or public housing waitlists
Median starting rent: $784 a monthThe middle of the lowest rent posted for each rental that posts one.
Rent range: $541 to $2,635 a monthLowest to highest rent posted across rentals.
Income limit, 2 people: $35,600 to $78,800The most a household of 2 can earn a year. Based on the 20 listings that post it.
Online applications: 44 of 48Listings with an online application.
Where applications are posted: housingsearch.hcr.ny.gov, genevahousingauthority.com, bmhahousing.comThe sites most listings here link to.
Next deadline: Oct 30, 20263 listings with a deadline still ahead.
Data last checked: Oct 6, 2026

Every figure is worked out from the open listings above and changes as listings open and close. Each program sets its own income limit, often as a share of the area median income (the middle income in the area), so limits differ from listing to listing.

Apply-direct buildings in Upstate New York

Besides the open listings above, Upstate New York has 1,439 apply-direct buildings. There is no lottery to enter: you call the building (or the local housing office, for public housing) and ask if its waitlist is open. What is an apply-direct building?

367
Section 8 building: 123
Public housing: 812
Tax-credit building: 377
Senior building: 100
Building for people with disabilities

See these buildings by city

We count buildings in the state outside the New York City, Long Island and Hudson Valley counties. A building can be in more than one group, so the groups add up to more than 1,439. The list comes from HUD, the federal housing department (public housing, Section 8, senior and disability buildings, and tax-credit buildings), downloaded October 5, 2026. It does not say whether a waitlist is open, and some waitlists are closed or years long.

Questions about affordable housing in Upstate New York

What kinds of affordable housing listings are open in Upstate New York?

Upstate New York has 2 lotteries, 43 waitlists and 3 Section 8 or public housing waitlists open right now. Each listing says whether it is a lottery, a waitlist or first come.

How much does affordable housing cost in Upstate New York?

Only 19 of the 47 rentals in Upstate New York post a rent on their source page; those run from $541 to $2,635 a month. Rents in income-restricted rentals are usually set by a program formula tied to the middle income in the area (the area median income) instead of the market, so they are often lower than similar homes nearby.

What income do I need to qualify for affordable housing in Upstate New York?

Among the 20 listings in Upstate New York that post an income limit, the most a household of 2 can earn a year ranges from $35,600 to $78,800. Some programs also set a minimum income, and limits are higher for larger households. Both differ from listing to listing. The free qualify check compares your household with the income limit and rules on each open listing.

Can I apply online for affordable housing in Upstate New York?

44 of the 48 open listings in Upstate New York have an online application. Listings here link to housingsearch.hcr.ny.gov (45 listings), genevahousingauthority.com (1 listing) and bmhahousing.com (1 listing). Check each listing for any application fee the program states, and be careful with anyone who asks you to pay to enter a lottery.

When is the next housing deadline in Upstate New York?

The next application deadline in Upstate New York is Oct 30, 2026, and 3 open listings have a deadline still ahead. Listings without a deadline, such as waitlists and first come listings, stay open until the program closes them.

How lotteries, waitlists and first come work

All 48 open listings in Upstate New York

The open listings we have here, with their kind of housing and how you get in. Open one to see its deadline, rent or price, income limits and how to apply.

Keep looking

Westchester and the Hudson Valley (38 open listings)
New York City (39 open listings)
Vermont (68 open listings)
All areas
Do I qualify?

Fair Shot Housing is not a government agency. Listing details come from public agency sources; always confirm them with the program before you apply.