I’d had bathroom ceilings cave in, floods, and carbon monoxide and gas leaks - at the same time. Up until that moment, my apartment experience in NYC had been a complete rollercoaster. I won! My instant jubilation was followed by a flash of skepticism: But did I really? Can I celebrate without actually signing a lease? I decided, yes! Yes, I can! I pranced around my Bed-Stuy studio, doing an excellent rendition of “We Are the Champions.” > See All Housing Lotteries on StreetEasy So, How Did I Become a NYC Housing Lottery Winner? “Um…” I couldn’t think what else to say, but managed to blurt out, “Thanks for the update!” The building will contact you with further instructions.” “Your application has been approved by the city. I just wanted to let you know that your application has been approved.” I froze, thinking I’d heard her wrong. “Hello? Miss Turner? This is MHANY Management. It all went down one night in late October 2016, when I picked up a call from an unknown number. “Your Lottery Application Has Been Approved” I can now proudly call myself an NYC housing lottery winner. I landed a rent-stabilized 1-bedroom in a brand-new building in Brooklyn. It was a months-long process, and at times it was quite stressful. To apply, I had to prove my income qualification, provide tons of paperwork, track my application on the NYC Housing Connect lottery website, interview with the building developers, and all the while try to remain patient and optimistic. How often do you hear people say, “No one wins those housing lotteries, so why enter?” That was my feeling, too - until I entered and actually won, joining an exclusive club of NYC housing lottery winners.