SANEL Guides
Affordable housing explained like a human might actually need to use it
AMI tables, lotteries, re-rentals, waitlists, income rules and document requests are complicated enough without making the explanation worse.
NYC AMI explained without the alphabet soup
What Area Median Income means, why your household size matters, and how to read an AMI band on an affordable-housing listing.
Read guideDo I qualify for NYC affordable housing?
A practical eligibility checklist covering income, household size, bedroom rules, preferences and source-specific requirements.
Read guideHow NYC affordable housing lotteries work
What happens from application to log number, document review and final eligibility determination.
Read guideNYC affordable re-rentals: why speed matters
How re-rentals differ from lotteries and why monitoring many housing providers can materially improve your chances of seeing them in time.
Read guideAffordable housing waitlists explained
The difference between a waitlist opening, a future vacancy list and a currently available apartment.
Read guideFirst come, first served affordable housing
What FCFS means, what it does not mean, and how to prepare for short-lived affordable-housing openings.
Read guideDocuments commonly requested for affordable housing
A preparation checklist for income, assets, identity, household and student documentation.
Read guideHousing preferences explained
Community Board, municipal employee, accessibility and other preferences can affect processing order without changing the basic eligibility rules.
Read guideWhat income counts for affordable housing?
Why programs usually care about gross household income and why the housing provider’s calculation can differ from a simple salary number.
Read guideWhat happens after you apply?
A realistic timeline from submission through document requests, eligibility review, interview and possible lease signing.
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