I won New York City's affordable-housing lottery. Five years later, I feel trapped with my family in 800 square feet.

Tech Insider : Business
Woman on laptop sitting on couch with dog at her feet
Winning the New York City affordable housing lottery was one of the best things that ever happened to me. Five years, a husband, and a kid later, I feel like I have no choice but to stay.

Caralynn Matassa

She was still in college when she started applying for the housing lottery. Now, she pays $1,600 for a 1-bedroom apartment in NYC.

Tech Insider
A close-up of the living area in the apartment.
Ceronne Mitchell won an apartment in Queens through the affordable-housing lottery.

Molly Stromoski for NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

I won a housing lottery with over 5,000 applicants. Now I pay $1,260 a month for a brand-new home.

Tech Insider
Angela Santiago on the roof of her apartment complex.
Angela Santiago won an apartment with rent well below market rate through a New Jersey affordable housing lottery program.

Courtesy of Angela Santiago

Subscribe to housing-lottery