5 Shocking Facts About The Fort Greene Affordable Housing Lottery You Need To Know In 2025
The landscape of affordable housing in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, is shifting dramatically, making 2025 a critical year for applicants. This highly sought-after neighborhood, known for its historic brownstones and proximity to the BAM Cultural District, is seeing an unprecedented surge of new luxury developments dedicating hundreds of units to the affordable housing lottery. As of December 23, 2025, several high-profile lotteries have recently closed or are currently accepting applications, requiring potential residents to be fully prepared with up-to-date income and eligibility requirements.
The sheer volume of new construction—from massive towers like The Everly to smaller, deeply affordable projects—means more opportunities, but also increased competition. Navigating the complex application process through NYC Housing Connect is essential, as the income brackets and Area Median Income (AMI) requirements vary wildly from project to project, determining who qualifies for these life-changing, rent-stabilized apartments.
The Fort Greene Affordable Housing Entity List: Recent & Current Lotteries
Fort Greene and its immediate Downtown Brooklyn neighbors have been the epicenter of affordable housing launches in late 2025. Understanding the specific buildings and their requirements is the first step to securing a unit. Here is a list of the most recent and relevant developments:
- The Everly (180 Ashland Place): This 51-story luxury tower was one of the most talked-about lotteries of 2025. It offered 171 affordable units, with the application deadline recently closing on October 28, 2025.
- 1 Flatbush Avenue: A crucial opportunity for lower-income applicants, this site is currently accepting applications for 20 units. Rents for studios start at just $690 per month, targeting households earning 40 to 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI).
- The Rocklyn (12 Rockwell Place & 625 Fulton Street): This 40-story tower, which closed its lottery on September 15, offered 331 apartments. It represents the trend of large-scale affordable units in luxury high-rises in the area.
- Verdant Fort Greene (240 Willoughby St): This new residential building, known for its luxury amenities like a full pet spa, recently had its application window close on September 18, 2025.
- The Elliot: A lottery for 20 rent-stabilized units at this Fort Greene location was recently open, highlighting smaller, equally important opportunities outside of the massive developments.
- 112 Edwards Street: This address is slated to open a lottery for the nation's largest LGBT senior development, a specialized project that will provide crucial affordable housing for an underserved community.
Fact 1: The Massive Income Gap Between Affordable Units
One of the most confusing and critical aspects of the Fort Greene affordable housing lottery is the vast difference in income requirements, often within the same building. This is tied directly to the Area Median Income (AMI) for New York City, which is currently around $113,000 for a two-person household.
For example, units at 1 Flatbush Avenue target applicants in the 40% AMI range, meaning a single applicant may need an annual household income as low as $31,612 to qualify for a $690 studio.
In stark contrast, the same neighborhood’s lotteries, such as those at 19 Rockwell Place, offer units up to 130% AMI, with eligible incomes starting at $75,669. This wide range is a deliberate strategy to create economically diverse communities, but it requires applicants to meticulously check the specific AMI band for every lottery they apply to.
Fact 2: Luxury Amenities Are Now Standard in Affordable Housing
Gone are the days when affordable housing meant basic, no-frills living. Fort Greene’s new developments are redefining "affordable luxury homes." Many of the new projects, including The Everly and Verdant Fort Greene, are 50-story-plus towers built under the new 485-X tax break, which mandates a percentage of affordable units in exchange for tax incentives.
Applicants who win the lottery gain access to amenities that rival market-rate luxury rentals. For example, The Everly boasts a stunning, sleek facade, modern units, and enticing amenities, while Verdant Fort Greene features a dog run and a full pet spa. This makes the lottery prize not just a home, but a complete upgrade in lifestyle and access to high-end building features.
Fact 3: The NYC Housing Connect Process is Your Single Point of Entry
Every single affordable housing opportunity in Fort Greene, including the units at The Everly and 1 Flatbush Avenue, is managed through the official NYC Housing Connect website. This online portal is the only way to register, submit applications, and track your lottery progress.
The process demands precision. Applicants must accurately report their household size and annual income, as these figures are cross-referenced with the building’s specific AMI requirements. Missing a deadline or misreporting income can lead to immediate disqualification, even if your number is drawn. It is highly recommended to create and maintain a detailed profile on the Housing Connect platform, ensuring all documentation is ready before a lottery opens.
Fact 4: Rent-Stabilized Units Offer Long-Term Financial Security
A key benefit that makes the Fort Greene lottery so competitive is that the units awarded are rent-stabilized apartments. This is a critical distinction from market-rate rentals.
Rent stabilization means that the annual rent increases are capped by the NYC Rent Guidelines Board, offering long-term financial stability in a neighborhood where market rents are consistently skyrocketing. This protection is one of the primary reasons why these lotteries attract hundreds of thousands of applicants for only a few hundred units.
Fact 5: Fort Greene’s Affordable Housing Portfolio is Being Preserved
Beyond the new construction, there is a significant effort to preserve the existing affordable housing stock. Entities like Tredway and ELH Mgmt have recently acquired and committed to renovating affordable housing portfolios in the Fort Greene neighborhood.
This preservation work ensures that nearly 200 existing homes remain affordable, often focusing on senior residents and long-term community members. This effort is just as vital as the new lotteries, providing stability and protecting residents from displacement in a rapidly gentrifying area.
In conclusion, the Fort Greene affordable housing lottery in late 2025 offers a challenging but rewarding path to secure a home in one of Brooklyn’s most desirable locations. Whether you are targeting the lowest AMI units at 1 Flatbush Avenue or the higher-end studios at a building like The Everly, success hinges on meticulous preparation, understanding the AMI brackets, and consistent use of the NYC Housing Connect platform. The opportunities are real, but the competition is fierce, making an informed strategy your greatest asset.
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