I Won The NYC Housing Lottery - Now I Pay $1,000/Month For A Luxury Apartment | Unlocked
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 มิ.ย. 2024
- Nkenge, 30, won the New York City housing lottery in May 2023. She lives in a one-bedroom apartment in the Flatiron District of Manhattan. Her rent is about $1,000 per month.
Unlocked is a home tour series focused on how much people across the globe spend on their housing, what they get for the money and what they had to sacrifice to make it happen.
Check out Nkenge's Instagram here: / itsnkenge
Produced by: Valentina Duarte
Managing Producer: Beatriz Bajuelos
Camera: Mickey Todiwala
Editor: Nic Golden Henry
Animator: Elham Ataeiazar
Senior Production Manager: Kathryn Mavrikakis
Additional Footage: Nkenge
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I Won The NYC Housing Lottery - Now I Pay $1,000/Month For A Luxury Apartment | Unlocked
That's crazy that you literally need to win a lotto to be able to have a payable rent. And everyone in the comments seems to think that's totally normal and acceptable
I’m happy for her but I agree. Even when you get called from the lottery waitlist you have to supply soooo much documentation that it becomes a barrier. Life is so much more affordable outside of the U.S.
She had an apartment before that she was paying market rate for. She didn't "need" to win the lottery for an apartment, but doing so allows her to live in a nicer space and increase her savings rate.
Hopefully she'll be able to reach her goal of buying her own place, and then this apartment can be rotated to the next renter.
It costs the building more than $1,000 per month to supply that apartment.
@@KK-pm7ud Oh no I'm sure the building owner is suffering because of it (insert *sarcasm*)
I don't think it's that people think it's acceptable. They may have accepted this reality and have normalized it but I don't think anyone truly thinks this is an okay way to be. However, in NYC and the US as whole, with more than half of Americans not having enough money saved to cover an emergency $1000 bill... And where the average income is about $50k or maybe it's higher now (I haven't checked in a while). And with rents being $3-4k per month for a central location. It's... Unfortunately the reality we live in. I for one wish we did not live in such a greedy society and adopted more government subsidized housing or required more affordable housing units for each newly developed building from developers. For some reason we just don't seem to prioritize affordable housing at all despite many citizens wanting this. It's tragic that the only way a lower middle class person can afford to live in the city they were raised in is to win a lottery. Bet you there are more people on the lottery than there are units available. It's probably a 1% chance of winning.
My daughter has recently been applying for the New York housing lottery. I sent this to her for inspiration on not loosing faith. Congratulations on finding your safe place.
After over 15 years I was finally called and my studio apartment is $1178 it will let me save so much money
After 15, that’s wild
Congratulations! People won't understand until they've lived in NYC. Very happy for you!
@@msbrooke1488 thanks
Waited 15 years for a studio apt??
@@sidny0426 didn’t want a studio but the rent was to good to turn down.
My life would change so much if i had that extra $900 monthly. I could eat properly. Buy essentials when i need them. Restart my 401k. Not stress month to month. The list goes on. Good for her!
I won as well. It's one of my biggest blessings! Congrats Nkenge! By the way I love your TH-cam channel.
CONGRATS TO YOU TOO! And thank you! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Congratulations! Such a blessing ❤❤❤
Congrats! Why not just move to more affordable housing then you never have to worry about winning.
@@Rashaadthegr8 That's why she applied, and this time she won. She now has the housing she wanted so that she can make her dreams come true.
@@St.Raphael-wh7dr maybe.
Thank you so much guys, I had a wonderful time being interviewed by you ! ❤❤
So happy for you, also you are gorgeous
So is it about 725 sq ft total?
@@Princess-Jellyfish Thank you
Good for you! The place looks awesome. Enjoy your peace 😌
Where can we apply? I’m single mother with 2 kids in Harlem , struggling
🙋🏽♀️ NYC housing lottery winner here and I can say rent control for my 2 bedroom apartment in BedStuy, Brooklyn is amazing, I love it 🙏🏽
how long did you wait?
I’ve actually won twice, the first time was for low income housing back in 2009 it took me a little under 2 years from the time I began applying. The second lottery was for middle income housing and went much faster! I began applying in Jan 2021 and was moved in by Nov 2021. I think the trick is a good credit score, once I authorized the credit check I was offered the apartment the same week and of course my rent and security deposit were ready to go. I pay $2200 for a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom, in-unit washer/dryer and (my favorite!) a small balcony 🙏🏽❤️ my income at that time was $94k. I hope you get your Dream apartment good luck!!
She truly won because rent in the Flatiron district is insane
I TRULY do not understand why anyone even says this anymore, is there ANYWHERE in NYC where the rent isnt insane??? Therefore that becomes the average/norm and not really insane anymore lol
@@irvinperez2987 There are definitely places in NYC where the rent is a lot cheaper than Flatiron. Places in the Bronx go as low as $600 for a 2 bedroom, but it heavily depends on what you're willing to give up in exchange for lower rent bc the neighborhoods... are not jogger friendly, if I'm phrasing it lightly. Regardless, NYC is def an EXPENSIVE city to live in.
@@irvinperez2987i think you’re correct! And what’s even more insane are the bs reasons ppl have for staying in that city!
The rent here in NYC has always been on the high side. But it's worth it
I love this for her. A safe, beautiful bright affordable space in the city you were born and raised has a tremendous impact on your well being. It's hard for those big city kids whose parent(s) couldn't get on the property ladder when prices were more affordable. They watch their neighborhoods become gentrified at a pace they can't keep up with.
$997 monthly rent with 5% increases every two years, yeah if I was her, I wouldn't move out for any reason, she's got it too good here!!
Thought the same thing! I would live there for at least a decade or more
@@lillypaul7514 Yes!!!
Exactly!
Congratulations lady Nkenge and the 9,999 other families who won the New York City Housing lottery in 2023 !!! God's continued best to you all always !
Not me immediately Googling to see if there's a housing lottery in my state. So happy for this lady!
One-bedroom apartment market rates in her building $5903-$8153 a month, LORD JESUS!!!
The people paying market rent should move out if they’re struggling to pay for the same or similar floor plan.
@@wintersantiago2274 I KNOW RIGHT!!!
What the market will bear. Some people make a lotta money
Congratulations on winning the apartment lottery and being able to achieve your financial goals.
*DONALD NATHAN SCOTT.*
My best friend in NY was telling me how his younger sister won a housing lottery, I was like wow I didn't know those things existed. Good for her
Congratulations to her for actually winning the lottery! I have been applying for a NYC Housing Connect apartment as a Native New Yorker for three years and still no luck! One day my application will be selected!
@BeccaSupreme, keep applying!!! There are so many new buildings becoming available for the lottery!
I pray this happens for you. Wait well. God’s Timing is everything. ❤
it will! i hope that for you
8:06
Keep at it! I applied from 2003 -2010 when i finally got my apt. I've been living there since. It will change your life for the better.
You should not need to win a housing lottery to be able to afford rent anywhere.
Right it’s so sad
Welcome to America
Exactly. Reading the comments... it's almost like people don't see how strange and unnerving this is.
@@MPPG663 Yeah having to win a lottery so you can afford a roof over year head is really not a positive.
The people praising the method in the larger comment section are enablers.
I was earning only 40k a few years ago and I applied for these rent lotteries. I finally heard back from one them last year saying I won one. But I earned more after 3 years wait so I no longer qualified. I almost cried out when I was reading that rent offer letter, and there was a moment that I seriously considered if I should just quit my job to move in that apt....
Omg this is what i fear i would be so so peeved
You need to update your pay each year on the website after you do you taxes.
had you been smart you would've talked to your employeer and asked them to lower your salary.
@@stockholmpublishings2937LOL, really?
@@stockholmpublishings2937it doesn’t work like that. They calculate your income average. The employer already paid out the salary.
She has excellent taste
No forreal! Her space is so so beautiful
THERE ARE NYC LOTTERY APARTMENTS FOR PEOPLE MAKING OVER $150K. IT'S NOT JUST FOR LOWER INCOMES! You need to apply to buildings you're qualified for based on YOUR INCOME AND FAMILY SIZE!
EXACTLY!
They want you to pay 2k+ how is that affordable even if you make 150k
@@local3mechanicTHANK YOU!! Because if you’re single and have no children like myself your $130K gross salary is really only $75K net.
Idk why I look at market rate apartments all the time and see apartments that 150K earners can afford.
Wow I had no idea affordable housing in NYC could be so nice! Congrats to her 🎉 hopefully, others will get the opportunity since the city’s so unaffordable for many.
Thats not the normal price. The other people in the building is paying as much as $8k a month.
Yes but thats lottery housing through Housing Connect. Normal low income housing in NY is the projects - which is not nice at allll lol
@@JuiCebaYbeEobviously I watched the video and saw the market rental rates for others living in the building! I specifically said I didn’t know affordable housing could look like that because it’s usually in rougher neighborhoods from my understanding.
Wonderful! You really did win the lottery!
I've applied to over 1,000 A.F. housing apartments! Something in me refuse to stop😂😂😂 congratulations girl🙌🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
I hope she says there for as long as she can. Very nice place in a beautiful part of the city
Beautiful home. Nicely designed by her.
Congrats to Nkenge, Stay Blessed. Good luck to all waiting patiently.
I done this in downtown Dallas and my apartment was $910 at the time and the market rent was $1500. It was such a steal and we call them in town units!
The housing lottery is definately a game changer, especially in NYC.
You give me hope. I have been waiting for 3 years.
So happy for her, this is awesome.
I love your style and furnishings, especially al the plants. Beautiful.
I lived in NYC for 13 years and got called back many times from lottery housing. First couple times I lost my job so I couldnt move forward in the process. The ones after, I had already gotten my own luxury apt in the Bronx (yes, there are many luxury buildings there) so I wasn’t going to break my lease. Right before I moved to Florida at the end of 2023, I got called back like 10 times for different buildings but didnt take them because the rent was what I was already paying since my income had gone up. I also wanted to leave NYC. But its crazy how once I started making more money, the more call backs I was getting. I think its because the lower income brackets have so much competition.
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Love this for you! ❤❤❤❤
You guys have to win a lottery, AND still pay $1k/month? That's crazy.
In London, the government will help you out with rent wherever you live, if you don't earn enough.
1k is extremely low for an apartment in NYC, especially one this nice. You’re not getting an apartment like this for $100 lol
@@thehungrygoldfish Wow, and I thought London was expensive, paying £800 pcm for rent
@@AliciaSykes with how many roommates though? Because you’re not living by yourself in London for 800 lol
@@thehungrygoldfish I'm living in East Ham / Barking, studio flat, £810 pcm
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Beautiful apt, beautifully decorated. Happy for you!
yay extremely happy for her ❤everyone deserves a nice place to stay
My daughter won a lottery getting into an apartment downtown Bklyn…it was hellacious..having to prove status every 4-6 months, cold water, ( we found out that lower incomes were on separate water lines.) and the only access to immenities was to pay a separate fee that was exorbitantly high. We were told that the status proving was random, but my daughter was selected 3-4 times a year. Complaints fell on deaf ears. My daughter worked in the area so saved a lot on carfare , but eventually after 3 years left and has since purchased a home. I am happy for Ms. Nkenge and hope she continues to enjoy her lovely home and neighborhood.
I am happy for you!! This is amazing ! May you continue to flourish ❤
So happy to see it work for someone! For those not from NYC the lottery prices can vary greatly. It varies on building, location, income, family size and apartment size. For me personally most I have looked at applying for would actually be more than the place I found but I still keep my eye out as a native NYer. Regardless she got truly blessed and so happy for her.
Yeah, after years of suffering.
Congrats 💯💯💯
I love it they gave it to the right person because I see people win those and the place look crazy plus being SOLO is a Plus keep going queen 👑
Congrats we need more of these stories! 🙌🏾 I’m throwing my hat in to for the NYC lottery 😉
Fantastic ! Congratulations 😊
I wish the US would stop sponsoring wars everywhere and focus on the wellbeing of its own people like her. Provide your own people with affordable housing, free or affordable education and free healthcare. It's Americans like her who are paying taxes, they deserve ALL of it back!
FELICIDADES👏
Your home is as beautiful, warm, bright, and welcoming as you and your really gorgeous smile.
My first time learning about the housing lottery.
Nkenge, so happy for you. ENJOY!!!!!
Amazing!!!! Beautiful taste!!!
The housing affordability crisis nationwide is so bad you have to win a lottery to get something you can afford just think about that. I pay 4011 a month for a 2 bed 2 bath in SF at 1100 sq ft. It's insane.
Congratulations to you, awesome!!
beautiful home!! love the greenery in this apartment!
Congrats young lady in so many levels! Great location, luxury building, affordable rent, a nice comfy unit illuminated by much natural light! ENJOY for years to come!
I’m so happy for her, that’s amazing. Good for her!
Love to see it
This is a great story worth being told! We look forward to seeing her step into home ownership in the next few years ❤
LMAO
Congratulations
Super happy she won , it’s tons of people like myself and others who are born and were raised their whole life in nyc but can’t get an apartment through housing connect it sucks. I love the pricing and amenities that come with her apartment. Must be nice I hope to win soon.
Go girl! Good 4 u! 🎉🎉
Amazing! Good for her!
She is awesome. I’m so happy for her.
That's insane and congrats! It must be amazing to be able to save money!! I'm in Seattle and pay $1800+ utilities and they could EASILY charge $2400/month for my condo but I've been here for 8-9yrs and the landlord has been super amazing and kept the rent the same. That said, my wife and I live on my sole income(she's disabled and currently fighting to get disability)which at times can leave us with a couple hundred bucks to live on/a month. If I wanted the Seattle equivalent to the NY rent lottery, it's about a 10 year waitlist for the affordable housing program here which is..well..absurd? Crazy?
I just can't believe we have to go to such lengths just to get by like "normal folks". The thought of buying a house/condo anywhere within several hundred miles is so outta reach, I've NEVER considered it! I hope something changes but as it goes it looks like corporate conglomerates and property companies will own all of the land/housing over the next couple decades and the younger generations will never have access to the generational wealth that we're supposed to be building with owning our own homes... Sad! Sad that for it to even be a POSSIBILITY, one has to win a "Housing Lottery"... Sorry for the rant but I hope someone reads this that may not have been exposed to this perspective, unique it is not.
Congratulations to this beautiful young lady. She has a great speaking voice and great camera presence. Her apartment is beautifully decorated.
Great video 😊
I won the housing lottery myself. Brand new apt in a great neighborhood
Loved it
My mother and brother live in an affordable apartment. Not through the lottery but after a decade on a waitlist. It's a two bedroom for a little over 1700 a month. The rents do go up if your income increases as you have to recertify every year or two years depending on your lease. She's lucky to have gotten something with such low rent as anyone that has applied for the housing lotto knows that the rents in many of these apartments are insane. My friend got called back for two (we work for the city) and she had to turn them down because it was like 2500 up for each.
Yep sometimes the lottery apartments are much more than market rate if you make a decent income in New York I've only seen it work for people who are low income and pay up to 1k. They called me a few times but the rents were 2500+ and my one bedroom was 1500 I was like nope.
You have a wonderful cozy apt and I see you have beautiful plants and pretty cats😊 congratulations 🎊🎉🎈
So beautiful, I love your story ❤
I live in an affordable luxury building that I won via the New York City housing connect lottery. A lot of these buildings are going downhill because the clientele is horrible especially the tenants that are being moved into these buildings from the homeless shelter. My building is currently full of bonnets,bad BBLs, and unruly children.
That's why i always think these things are too good to be true
She looks so prosperous. More people need low rent so they can access happiness.
Nice apartment. Congratulations on your win!
this is really interesting, we asian countries didn't even know that apartment lottery exists
Because asian countries actually allow enough housing to be built so there is no need for this. The US heavily restricts housing construction so housing is completely unaffordable.
There is a housing lottery in New York City because even though there are always apartments available to rent, the price is astronomically high. The apartment in this video would be at least $3500. It has nothing to do with supply but the greed of the landlords. There are many apartment buildings that are nearly empty.
@@arewecrazyyet people like you are why the housing crisis will never be fixed. NYC has a critically low vacancy rate, which signals a critical housing shortage. Landlords charge that much because there is a line of people ready to pay it because there are few other options. The NYC housing shortage has been well documented. NYC has extremely strict zoning regulations that make it almost impossible to build new housing unless it is luxury scrapers. Even if EVERY vacant apartment was filled, it wouldn’t even begin to come close to lowering rents or meeting demand. Please educate yourself and stop spreading misinformation that delays the real solution en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City_housing_shortage
What a blessing ❤
Yay 😁 that’s so awesome. I wish more people get this!! So cool
I'm super happy for her. However, so many people abuse the system which is why I don't like it. There are countless people who win these lotteries and then rent the apartment and live somewhere else. I worked with a Portuguese woman who did that.
I'm glad she got it at the same time you have to verify your income and all your financial information with them every year. I know someone who won and it's a great program but there are restrictions depending on the building. Some buildings don't allow housing lottery people to use certain amenities too. If you're more middle or upper middle class the apartments cost more than market rate apartments sometimes.
Actually, there are no restrictions to your income, after you get the initial lease. It's rent stabilized and not a government section 8 apartment that requires yearly checks on income. She mentions this in the video. She could earn 500K/year as a content creator, and as long as she pays the rent on time, she will not have to worry about any rental increases (outside of the rental board increases)...
Congratulations!!!
Her apartment is beautiful! She did a great job furnishing it
Congratulations!
WHY IS NO ONE COMMENTING ON HOW THE CATS NAMES ARE CHOTTO MATTE thATS FLIPPING HILARIOUS
Omg girl congrats that is a gorgeous apartment!
I didn't know such a lottery existed! I'm always happy to see good people winning a lottery of any kind 😊
she's so cute. Such a warm energy
I know you say you want to save to buy a house but please never give up your beautiful and affordable apartment!!! That is priceless 🤩🤩
I have a “ rent stabilized “ apartment from the Housing Lottery. I’m paying OVER $2k for a 1 bedroom apartment and I see apartments going for $3k now on the website. $2k and $3k should be market rate… ALSO, 90% of people who win the lottery nowadays make 6 figures like myself which is why I get called for almost all the buildings I apply to… like you need at least $80k salary or more to qualify. This system needs revamping.
I’m still waiting the video but i just wanted to say congrats on winning the housing lottery. I hope this give you the break you and most of us need. What an amazing opportunity.
I hope this for you as well. It’s a blessing ❤
nice to see something where it doesn't seem they created a narrative. They really let her just speak
It is beautiful! Congratulations!
Nice to see such a nice appreciative person win.
Your place looks beautiful like you! Congrats & very happy for you!
Good for her. I love the lighting and the way she decorated.
My daughter won the housing lottery too. It enabled her to be able to live in the neighborhood she grew up in which would have been out of her reach due to gentrification! This needs to be offered more widely!
Congratulations ooo 🎉
Love her style and interior design
OMG, I am from Brooklyn! Cool NYC apartment! You go girl.
Gorgeous! Both person and apartment!
A. Congrats on the lottery win. B. I like the decor, its stylish and clean and inspires creativity. great job!
@4:54, Love the light sign in Japanese. Yes, it’s a beautiful home you created. 😊