The Andrea, 280 8th Avenue, Chelsea: 28 Affordable Apartments on Housing Connect, From $978 a Month
Quick answerThe Andrea at 280 8th Avenue (261 West 24th Street) is a new 12-story building in Chelsea, Manhattan. NYC Housing Connect advertised 28 of its 104 apartments. Rents run from $978 for a studio to $4,376 for a two-bedroom. Applications were due January 13, 2026. As of October 21, 2026, the 22 rents at 40% and 60% AMI are under the 2026 CityFHEPS maximums; the six at 130% AMI are over. The City's lottery data lists the lottery in "Tenant Selection". VoucherMatch found no open application or waiting list.
Last checked: October 21, 2026, against the Housing Connect listing for lottery 7298, its rent table and the site's open-lottery search, read at the start and the end; the Housing Connect FAQ; CityFHEPS form DSS-8r; Department of Buildings DOB NOW filings for job M00696323, older job filings and certificates of occupancy; HPD's production data (project 76741); the City's lottery data and lottery building data; PLUTO; ACRIS for Manhattan block 774; City Planning's address search; HPD's 421-a page and guide Applying for Affordable Housing; HDC's re-rental search; the leasing site The Andrea; reports by New York YIMBY (June 16, 2024) and 6sqft (November 18, 2025); and the MTA's station data. How VoucherMatch reports these guides and corrects errors: how we report.
- 28apartments in the Housing Connect lottery
- 104apartments in the building, in city records
- $978the lowest rent, for 11 studios at 40% AMI
- $4,376the highest rent, for five two-bedrooms at 130% AMI
- January 13, 2026the application deadline
- October 15, 2025the first certificate of occupancy
Source: Housing Connect listing for lottery 7298, read October 21, 2026; Department of Buildings job M00696323 and its certificate of occupancy records.
- Area median income (AMI)The middle income for the area, adjusted for household size. A lottery apartment "at 60% AMI" is for households earning up to about 60% of it. The agency's income chart turns each level into dollar limits.
- Minimum incomeThe lowest yearly income the listing accepts for an apartment, so the rent is not too large a share of income. Housing Connect does not apply it to households with a voucher or rental subsidy.
- Lottery (NYC Housing Connect)Every complete application gets a random log number. The marketing agent works through applications in log-number order within each preference group, so applying early does not help.
- Marketing agentThe company the building hires to run its lottery and check applicants' papers.
- Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)Rental help run by a housing authority. You find a home, and the agency checks the unit, rent and your household before it approves payment.
- CityFHEPS (New York City)The City Fighting Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement: a City-funded rent supplement that the Department of Social Services (DSS) pays straight to the landlord.
- Payment standard (the CityFHEPS maximum in this report)An amount the agency uses to work out housing assistance for a unit size and area. It does not mean that any home at that rent will be approved.
- Utility allowanceThe agency's estimate of the cost of utilities you must pay. It is not a promise to pay your actual bills.
- FMR and SAFMRHUD rent estimates for an area (Fair Market Rent) or ZIP code (Small Area Fair Market Rent). They include rent and most tenant-paid utilities. Your agency may use a different payment standard.
- Certificate of occupancyThe Department of Buildings' sign-off that a building, or part of it, can be lived in.
What Was Built at The Andrea, 280 8th Avenue
The Andrea is a 12-story building with 104 apartments. City records file it under two street addresses.
- Names and addresses: Housing Connect calls the lottery "The Andrea" at 280 8th Ave. PLUTO and HPD list the lot as 280 8 Avenue. The permit and certificates use 261 West 24 Street, and so does the leasing site.
- Permit: Department of Buildings job M00696323 reads "CONSTRUCT 12 STORY MIXED USE BUILDING AS PER PLANS FILED". It lists 12 stories, 104 dwelling units and 94,550 square feet.
- Certificate of occupancy: the first one, dated October 15, 2025, covers 104 dwelling units. Four renewals follow, the latest on September 2, 2026.
- Owner: the permit, PLUTO and ACRIS name RA 280 Development LLC.
- Architect: the permit's applicant is the firm SLCE Architects.
- Developer: YIMBY and 6sqft name Red Apple Group. The leasing site's contact form names "The Andrea NYC and Red Apple Group".
Watch outthe sources give different sizes. The permit says 120 feet tall. YIMBY wrote "172-foot-tall" and 95,561 square feet. YIMBY also listed 6,083 square feet of retail space. VoucherMatch prints both and could not check the height another way.
- May 25, 2022the new building application is filed.
- February 10, 2023a development rights document between 288 8th Avenue LLC and CATS 280 Eighth Avenue, LLC is signed, for $3,000,000.
- June 14, 2023a deed moves the lot from CATS 280 Eighth Avenue, LLC to RA 280 Development, LLC.
- November 27, 2023demolition of a one-story commercial building, 23 feet tall, is signed off.
- March 7, 2024the new building permit is issued.
- June 16, 2024YIMBY reports that the frame has begun to rise.
- February 18, 2025HPD's project start date.
- October 15, 2025the first certificate of occupancy is issued.
- November 13, 2025the Housing Connect lottery opens.
- January 13, 2026applications are due.
- April 16, 2026HPD's building completion date.
What it means: the first certificate came about a month before the lottery opened. 6sqft wrote that the building replaced a Rite Aid.
Source: Department of Buildings jobs M00696323 and 123916815; certificate of occupancy records; ACRIS, Manhattan block 774; HPD project 76741; the City's lottery data; New York YIMBY.
The Program the Listing Names
The listing says the building "is anticipated to receive a Tax Exemption through the 421a Tax Incentive program". Its short description reads "104 total units, 28 to be marketed - standard 421a16".
- 421-aHPD says "The 421-a Tax Incentive is a partial tax exemption for new multiple dwellings."
- 421-a(16)HPD calls it the "Affordable Housing New York Program". It "is available to projects that commence construction between January 1, 2016 and June 15, 2022".
- Option A"25% of the units must be affordable: at least 10% at up to 40% of AMI, 10% at up to 60% of AMI, and 5% at up to 130% of AMI".
- Option B"30% of the units must be affordable: at least 10% at up to 70% of AMI and 20% at up to 130% of AMI." HPD also lists Options C to G.
What it means: the listing names no option. No document opened says which applies or whether the exemption was granted.
Source: Housing Connect listing; HPD's 421-a page, read October 21, 2026.
Where The Andrea Is
The Andrea is in Chelsea, Manhattan. It is in Manhattan Community District 4 and City Council District 3.
- ChelseaCity Planning's address search finds both street addresses in Chelsea.
- Chelsea-Hudson Yardsthe area name in Department of Buildings records.
- The lotManhattan block 774, lot 1. YIMBY places it "at the corner of Eighth Avenue and West 24th Street". The leasing site says "Located at 24th Street and Eighth Avenue".
- ZIP code 10001in the listing, PLUTO, HPD's data and the City's lottery data.
- ZIP code 10011in Department of Buildings records and on the leasing site, both for 261 West 24th Street.
What it means: this report uses ZIP code 10001, the ZIP for 280 8th Avenue in the listing and the lot records.
Source: the records named.
| Station | Lines | Distance | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 St | C, E | under 0.1 miles | No |
| 23 St | 1 | about 0.2 miles | No |
| 28 St | 1 | about 0.3 miles | No |
| 23 St | F, M | about 0.3 miles | No |
| 14 St | A, C, E | about 0.4 miles | Yes |
| 34 St-Penn Station | 1, 2, 3 | about 0.5 miles | Yes |
What it means: the C and E stop at 23rd Street is at the building's corner. The listing does not name it, and it lists the 1 at 23rd Street as "1,2".
Source: the MTA's station data, daytime lines and its accessibility field; straight-line distances by VoucherMatch from the listing's map point, so the walk is longer.
- Rail and buses: the listing names Penn Station and Moynihan Train Hall, about 0.4 miles away, and the New York Midtown bus station at 31st Street and 8th Avenue, about 0.3 miles.
- Along the lines: see apartments near the C train and the 1 train, or voucher apartments in Chelsea.
28 Apartments in the Lottery, at 40%, 60% and 130% AMI
The 28 lottery apartments are 11 studios, 12 one-bedrooms and five two-bedrooms. Eleven are at 40% AMI, 11 at 60% AMI and six at 130% AMI.
View the data table
| Apartment size | 40% AMI | 60% AMI | 130% AMI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| One-bedroom | 0 | 11 | 1 |
| Two-bedroom | 0 | 0 | 5 |
What it means: every studio is at 40% AMI, and every two-bedroom is at 130% AMI.
Source: Housing Connect listing for lottery 7298, counted by VoucherMatch from its 28 unit rows, read October 21, 2026; the City's lottery data gives the same counts.
Watch outHPD's production data counts all 28 apartments as middle-income units. The listing and the City's lottery data give 11 very low, 11 low and six middle. The rent table in the listing is what applicants saw. Ask the Housing Connect hotline, 212-863-7990.
Rents and Income Ranges in the Housing Connect Listing for The Andrea
The 28 apartments rent for $978 to $4,376 a month. The lowest minimum income is $38,469 a year, and the highest maximum is $238,160.
| Apartments | Rent | People | Yearly income |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 studios, 40% AMI | $978 | 1 to 2 | $38,469 to $54,280 |
| 11 one-bedrooms, 60% AMI | $1,622 | 1 to 3 | $61,235 to $91,620 |
| 1 one-bedroom, 130% AMI | $3,661 | 1 to 3 | $131,143 to $198,510 |
| 5 two-bedrooms, 130% AMI | $4,376 | 2 to 5 | $157,578 to $238,160 |
What it means: one person could not earn more than $47,520 for a studio.
Source: Housing Connect listing for lottery 7298, read October 21, 2026. The top of each range is for the largest household allowed.
| Household size | 40% AMI | 60% AMI | 130% AMI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $47,520 | $71,280 | $154,440 |
| 2 people | $54,280 | $81,420 | $176,410 |
| 3 people | none | $91,620 | $198,510 |
| 4 people | none | none | $220,480 |
| 5 people | none | none | $238,160 |
What it means: "none" marks a size the listing does not let that income level take. Income before taxes has to be at or under the number.
Source: the same listing; each figure is the most a household of that size may earn.
- One person$47,521 to $61,234, and $71,281 to $131,142.
- Two people$54,281 to $61,234, and $81,421 to $131,142.
- Three peoplebelow $61,235, and $91,621 to $131,142.
- Four or five peoplebelow $157,578. Only the five two-bedrooms take four or five people.
- Below $38,469no apartment, unless the household has a voucher or rental subsidy.
What it means: each gap sits between the top of one income level and the lowest minimum of the next.
Source: VoucherMatch's arithmetic from the listing's incomes.
Key pointthe rent table lists asset limits of $67,840 at 40% AMI, $101,760 at 60% AMI and $220,480 at 130% AMI. It marks no apartment as project-based voucher housing.
Which Rents a CityFHEPS or Section 8 Voucher Reaches at The Andrea
The 22 apartments at 40% and 60% AMI are under the 2026 CityFHEPS maximums. The six at 130% AMI are $927 to $1,379 a month over them.
This was a city lottery on NYC Housing Connect, and the listing names HPD as its agency. The Housing Connect FAQ says: "Minimum income requirements do not apply if you have a voucher or a rental subsidy. However, rent should be within maximum limits allowed by your voucher or rental assistance program."
View the data table
| Apartment size | Lowest rent | Highest rent | CityFHEPS maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $978 | $978 | $2,604 |
| One-bedroom | $1,622 | $3,661 | $2,734 |
| Two-bedroom | $4,376 | $4,376 | $2,997 |
What it means: studios and two-bedrooms each have one rent, so their lowest and highest are the same.
Source: rents from the Housing Connect listing; maximums from DSS-8r, which calls them "the maximum rent amounts if all utilities are included in the lease", in effect since April 1, 2026.
The listing says: "Tenants are responsible for electricity, electric stove, and electric heat. Rent includes hot water." So VoucherMatch subtracts DSS-8r's "Electric with Cooking Range" and "Electric Heat Only" allowances.
| Apartment size | CityFHEPS maximum | Less both allowances | Lottery rents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,604 | $2,441 | $978 |
| One-bedroom | $2,734 | $2,546 | $1,622 and $3,661 |
| Two-bedroom | $2,997 | $2,748 | $4,376 |
What it means: the 40% and 60% rents are $924 to $1,463 under the adjusted maximum. The 130% rents are $1,115 to $1,628 over it.
Source: DSS-8r, 2026 payment standards and utility allowances ($111 and $52 for a studio, $126 and $62 for a one-bedroom, $167 and $82 for a two-bedroom); subtraction by VoucherMatch.
- Credit check: the FAQ says "Applicants qualifying with rental subsidy are not subject to a credit check or review of rental history."
- Section 8: NYCHA and HPD set their own limits. See the New York City Housing Authority page and Section 8 payment standards in NYC for 2026. For allowances, read Section 8 utility allowances in NYC.
How the Rents Compare With HUD's Figures for ZIP Code 10001
Every lottery rent is under HUD's figure for ZIP code 10001. The studios are about a quarter of it, and the 130% two-bedrooms are $84 under it.
View the data table
| Apartment size | Lowest rent | Highest rent | HUD fair market rent, ZIP 10001 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $978 | $978 | $3,890 |
| One-bedroom | $1,622 | $3,661 | $4,100 |
| Two-bedroom | $4,376 | $4,376 | $4,460 |
What it means: tenants here also pay electricity. Once that bill is added, the $4,376 two-bedroom is close to HUD's figure.
Source: rents from the Housing Connect listing; HUD's Small Area Fair Market Rents for fiscal year 2027, in effect since October 1, 2026, which include most utilities.
- Apartments in this ZIP code: see voucher apartments in ZIP 10001.
How The Andrea Was Financed
Property records show two mortgages from RA 280 Development, LLC to JPMorgan Chase Bank, dated July 25, 2024. Together they come to $53,626,326.46, by VoucherMatch's sum.
| Date | Document | Parties | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 10, 2023 | Development rights | 288 8th Avenue LLC and CATS 280 Eighth Avenue, LLC | $3,000,000 |
| June 14, 2023 | Deed | CATS 280 Eighth Avenue, LLC to RA 280 Development, LLC | none listed |
| July 6, 2023 | Assumption of mortgage | Both companies and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | $3,442,797.92 |
| July 25, 2024 | Two mortgages | RA 280 Development, LLC to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | $44,321,434.66 and $9,304,891.80 |
| July 25, 2024 | Agreement | RA 280 Development, LLC and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | $3,373,673.54 |
What it means: these records name only the companies above and JPMorgan Chase. The index does not say what the agreement covers.
Source: ACRIS, Manhattan block 774, lot 1, read October 21, 2026.
Preferences, Building Features and Fees at The Andrea
The listing, as read today, shows no preference groups and no set-asides. Tenants pay electricity, and the listing names no amenity fees.
- Preference groupsnone in the listing as read on October 21, 2026.
- City lottery dataits row for lottery 7298 gives no preference figures either.
- The FAQ's ruleit says the community preference "does not apply to developments that do not receive City financing, e.g., those that only receive a tax exemption."
What it means: no page opened says why this listing has no preference groups. Ask the hotline before relying on it.
Source: Housing Connect listing for lottery 7298 and FAQ; the City's lottery data.
- In the apartments, per the listingwashers and dryers, a dishwasher, air-conditioning, smart heating and cooling controls, and USB charging outlets.
- Building, per the listinga doorman, a concierge, an elevator, a gym, a yoga/dance studio, a recreation room, an outdoor terrace, a rooftop terrace, storage, bike storage lockers and a smoke-free policy.
- Utilitiestenants pay electricity, including the electric stove and heat. Rent includes hot water.
- Pets"One pet per unit, no pet deposit required."
- Fees to applythe listing's field for deposits or application fees is set to no.
- Not statedany amenity fees, apartment sizes and bathrooms.
What it means: the listing calls the building "a refined rental experience"; those are the advertisement's words.
Source: Housing Connect listing.
What Happens After the Housing Connect Lottery and Where Openings Are Posted
Applications for the 28 apartments were due January 13, 2026. On the City's lottery data, read October 21, 2026, the lottery's status is "Tenant Selection".
- 1Log numbers"Within a few weeks after the lottery application deadline, Housing Connect randomly assigns log numbers".
- 2Review"The developer reviews them in log number order (starting with those who meet preference categories) and contacts applicants."
- 3Documents"If your log number comes up, the developer will contact you to submit documents."
- 4TimingHPD's guide says "You may hear about the status of your application within two to twelve months after the deadline." The deadline was January 13, 2026.
What it means: the lottery data does not say how many apartments are leased. The guide adds that "you will only have a few business days to submit your documents".
Source: step one from the Housing Connect FAQ; steps two to four from HPD's applying guide.
- ID for every adult. the FAQ accepts "drivers’ licenses, non-driver state ID cards, and IDNYC cards"
- Children under 18. "Birth certificates or other forms of documentation like a school letter"
- Income, address and assets. "pay stubs, tax returns, proof of address, and asset documentation"
- Asset limits. $67,840 at 40% AMI, $101,760 at 60% AMI and $220,480 at 130% AMI
- Rent history or credit. proof of 12 months of full rent payments, or a credit review
- Voucher. proof of the subsidy and the rent it covers
What it means: the request for documents lists the exact papers.
Source: Housing Connect FAQ; the listing's rent table.
Check before you payapplying through NYC Housing Connect is free. Its FAQ says "There is no fee to apply for housing using Housing Connect"; a marketing agent may charge a credit or background check fee of no more than $20 per household. No payment app, wire or gift card buys a place in a lottery, and no one should charge you to see or hold an apartment. Apply only at housingconnect.nyc.gov or by mail to the address in the official listing.
- Housing Connectlottery 7298 was not among the 19 rentals in the site's open-lottery search. No newer listing for the building was found there or in the City's lottery data. New lotteries are posted at housingconnect.nyc.gov.
- Re-rentalsthe FAQ says vacant units "may be made available for applicants outside of Housing Connect". HDC's re-rental search listed 24 advertisements, none for this building.
- Paper applicationsthe listing's "Apply by Mail" address was "The Andrea, C/O MGNY Consulting, 109 East 9th Street, Storefront", New York, NY 10003. It gave no postmark rule.
What it means: as of October 21, 2026, VoucherMatch found no open application or waiting list for these apartments.
Source: Housing Connect's open-lottery search and borough count (2 Manhattan rentals); the City's lottery data; HDC's re-rental data; the listing.
What Is Known and Not Yet Known About The Andrea
The rents, incomes, deadline and lottery status are published. How many apartments have been leased is not.
- Not publishedhow many lottery apartments have been offered or leased, whether the building keeps a waiting list, and any amenity fees.
- Not explainedwhy HPD's production data counts all 28 apartments as middle income, and why the listing shows no preference groups.
- Not confirmedwhether the 421-a exemption was granted and which option applies, and the building's height.
- Whom to askthe Housing Connect hotline, 212-863-7990, "from 9am to 5pm on weekdays", or nychousingconnect@hpd.nyc.gov.
What it means: check each line again before acting on it.
Source: Housing Connect listing and FAQ; city records named above.
If You Need an Apartment Now
No waiting list is posted, so a household that needs to move has to look elsewhere.
- Open in Manhattan now: Housing Connect's search listed 345 East 17th Street, due November 9, 2026, and 1 Gouverneur Lane, due November 17, 2026.
3 bedrooms, $2,816 a monthHarlem, ManhattanAccepts Section 8 (HCV) · HASA · EHV
3 bedrooms, $3,577 a monthHarlem, Manhattan
3 bedrooms, $3,532 a monthManhattan
Listed by landlords who say which vouchers they accept. These are separate from the lottery. See all Manhattan listings
- Voucher in hand: browse Section 8 apartments in Manhattan, CityFHEPS apartments in Manhattan and CityFHEPS apartments in Chelsea.
- No voucher yet: read how to get a housing voucher in NYC, compare CityFHEPS vs Section 8, or see low-income apartments in New York City.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was The Andrea at 280 8th Avenue on NYC Housing Connect?
Yes. The Andrea was lottery 7298 on NYC Housing Connect. It offered 28 apartments at 40%, 60% and 130% AMI, from $978 to $4,376 a month. Applications were due January 13, 2026. As of October 21, 2026, the City's data listed it in "Tenant Selection", and no waiting list was posted.
What is the rent at The Andrea?
The 11 studios at 40% AMI rent for $978 a month. The 11 one-bedrooms at 60% AMI rent for $1,622. At 130% AMI, one one-bedroom rents for $3,661 and five two-bedrooms for $4,376. Tenants pay electricity, including the electric stove and heat, and rent includes hot water.
How much do you have to earn for The Andrea?
Studios take $38,469 to $54,280 a year. The 60% one-bedrooms take $61,235 to $91,620. The 130% apartments start at $131,143 and go up to $238,160 for five people. Some incomes fit no apartment, such as $47,521 to $61,234 for one person. With a voucher, the FAQ says the minimum does not apply.
Does The Andrea take Section 8 or CityFHEPS?
Housing Connect accepts both, but the rent must fit the voucher. The 22 rents at 40% and 60% AMI are under the 2026 CityFHEPS maximums, even after subtracting electric allowances. The six rents at 130% AMI are $927 to $1,379 over the maximums. Ask DSS or the housing authority before applying anywhere.
Is 261 West 24th Street the same building as 280 8th Avenue?
Yes. Both addresses are Manhattan block 774, lot 1. Housing Connect, PLUTO and HPD use 280 8th Avenue. The permit, the certificates of occupancy and the leasing site use 261 West 24th Street. YIMBY's 2024 report calls the project 280 Eighth Avenue.
Who built The Andrea in Chelsea?
The permit and property records name RA 280 Development LLC as owner. YIMBY and 6sqft name Red Apple Group as developer, and the leasing site names Red Apple Group too. SLCE Architects filed the permit. Lot records show JPMorgan Chase Bank as lender on two mortgages dated July 25, 2024.
Are the rents at The Andrea below market?
Yes, by HUD's figures. Every rent is under HUD's 2027 figures for ZIP code 10001. The $978 studios are about a quarter of HUD's $3,890. The $4,376 two-bedrooms are $84 under HUD's $4,460, but tenants also pay electricity. HUD's figures include most utilities, so the gap on the two-bedrooms is smaller than it looks.
Sources for this article (21)
- Housing Connect listing for lottery 7298 (housingconnect.nyc.gov)
- Housing Connect FAQ (housingconnect.nyc.gov)
- DSS-8r (nyc.gov)
- DOB NOW filings (data.cityofnewyork.us)
- older job filings (data.cityofnewyork.us)
- certificates of occupancy (data.cityofnewyork.us)
- production data (data.cityofnewyork.us)
- lottery data (data.cityofnewyork.us)
- lottery building data (data.cityofnewyork.us)
- PLUTO (data.cityofnewyork.us)
- ACRIS (data.cityofnewyork.us)
- address search (geosearch.planninglabs.nyc)
- 421-a page (nyc.gov)
- Applying for Affordable Housing (nyc.gov)
- re-rental search (nychdc.com)
- The Andrea (andreanyc.com)
- June 16, 2024 (newyorkyimby.com)
- 6sqft (6sqft.com)
- station data (data.ny.gov)
- Small Area Fair Market Rents (huduser.gov)
- housingconnect.nyc.gov (housingconnect.nyc.gov)
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