What is Mitchell-Lama?

Created in 1955, the Mitchell-Lama program provides affordable rental and cooperative housing to moderate- and middle-income families.

Mitchell-Lama Building in Manhattan

There are 97 City-sponsored, moderate- and middle-income rental and limited-equity cooperative developments in New York City, with more than 44,600 units.  HPD supervises waiting lists, management issues, and has other oversight responsibilities for 78 Mitchell-Lama developments; an additional 19 developments have shared supervision by HPD and the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Mitchell-Lama Developments - City Supervised and State Supervised 

How to Apply

(1) Check the list of Mitchell-Lama developments with open waiting lists and see if there are any developments in which you are interested .

(2) Send a letter to the managing agent of the development(s) in which you are interested.

Each development requires that you apply separately. There is no master list for applications. However, you can apply to more than one development at a time. Mitchell-Lama apartments are sold or rented through waiting lists kept by each development. Many Mitchell-Lama waiting lists are closed because there are already enough applicants listed to fill vacancies expected in the foreseeable future. Periodically, these developments open their waiting lists and new applications are accepted based on a lottery system. Mitchell-Lama developments must advertise when they open their waiting lists. Check your local newspapers to find out when applications are being accepted. You can also click here for a list of developments with open waiting lists.

If you are a veteran and reside in New York State you may be entitled to a preference for Mitchell-Lama developments with an open waiting list.  Click here to see if you qualify.

Mitchell-Lama Developments with Waiting Lists

Mitchell-Lama apartments are sold or rented through waiting lists kept by each development. Each development requires that you apply separately. If the development is accepting applications, an estimate of the wait for an apartment is provided. Developments identified as "List Closed" have a sufficient waiting list to fill anticipated vacancies at this time and are not accepting applications. Periodically, developments may open their waiting lists and new applications are then accepted based on a lottery system. Mitchell-Lama developments must advertise when they open their waiting lists. Check your local newspapers to find out when applications are being accepted. You can also click below for a list of developments with openings. HPD updates this list monthly. The lists indicate whether the development is a rental or cooperative. Developments identified as "List Closed" have sufficient waiting lists to fill anticipated vacancies at this time and are not accepting applications. For detailed information on the rules governing waiting lists and other Mitchell-Lama procedures, click here.

Mitchell-Lama Developments with Open Waiting Lists (in PDF)

A list of all Mitchell-Lama Housing Companies and Redevelopment Companies (in PDF)

State Supervised Middle Income Housing Developments for Families (This list includes developments with current openings as well as developments with waiting lists.)

Am I eligible?

For both federally assisted and non-federally-assisted Mitchell-Lama developments, there are eligibility requirements related to income limits, family size, and apartment size. In addition, each development sets its own restrictions and limitations.

What are the maximum admission income limits at these developments?
Maximum admission income limits differ for federally assisted and non-federally-assisted developments.

For federally-assisted developments an applicant's adjusted annual household income must not exceed the income limit for the applicable HUD program for the area in which the development is located, adjusted for household size, as shown on the most recently issued HUD schedule

 For information on income limits for non-federally-assisted rental developments go to http://nysdhcr.gov/AboutUs/Offices/HousingOperations/faqs.htm 

What happens if my income increases and I exceed the income limit while I am a resident of a Mitchell-Lama development?

A surcharge will be added to your monthly rent/carrying charge if your adjusted household income from the prior calendar year exceeds the maximum income limit.   Every year Mitchell-Lama tenants are required to fill out an income affidavit.  This form allows your housing company to calculate your adjusted household income and the amount of a surcharge you will have to pay. 

For City-Sponsored Mitchell-Lamas: (212) 863-6500

For State-Sponsored Mitchell-Lamas: (866) 463-7753, or write to New York State Homes and Community Renewal at 25 Beaver Street, New York, NY 10004

Supplementary Material 

To download and print the following documents, you will need the latest copy of the Adobe Acrobat Reader, which can be downloaded for free from this link: Acrobat and the Web.

 Mitchell-Lama Developments with open waiting lists (in PDF) 

 Mitchell Lama Rules   (in PDF)

Resources for Mitchell-Lama Development Owners

Repair Loan Program: Loans to Mitchell-Lama owners to make needed capital improvements.

Restructuring Program: Owners within the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) insured Mitchell-Lama portfolio may apply to restructure the first and second mortgages held on the properties.

Press Releases related to Mitchell-Lama Housing 

MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG ANNOUNCES HOUSING PRESERVATION INITIATIVE TO PROTECT OVER 27,000 MITCHELL-LAMA APARTMENTS

MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT BETWEEN OWNERS AND TENANTS OF WEST VILLAGE HOUSES

MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG PROPOSES STATE LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE PROTECTION TO MITCHELL-LAMA DEVELOPMENT TENANTS AND TAX RELIEF TO OWNERS 

Mitchell-Lama Housing in Chinese

Mitchell-Lama Housing in Russian