Is there a housing lottery in Albany, NY?

Not a city one. Buildings financed by New York State run a lottery for their first apartments on NYS Housing Search, then keep a waitlist. Mosaic South in the South End drew its lottery on July 20, 2026 and opened its waitlist on August 6, 2026.

How do I apply for affordable housing in Albany?

It depends on the building. State-financed buildings take applications through NYS Housing Search or their manager, Albany Housing Authority sites through one online pre-application, and other buildings through their own leasing office. Each article names the route for its building.

Can I use Section 8 in a new affordable building in Albany?

Federal law bars a tax-credit building from refusing a renter for holding a voucher. State listings add that the minimum income "may not apply" with Section 8. The rent still has to fit your voucher, so each article compares rents with the range a payment standard must fall in.

What are the income limits for affordable housing in Albany in 2026?

HUD's 2026 limits for the Albany area are $43,100 for one person and $61,550 for four at 50% of area median income, and $68,950 and $98,500 at 80%. The area median family income is $123,100.

Is the Albany Housing Authority Section 8 waiting list open?

On October 5, 2026 the Authority's site said it was not accepting Housing Choice Voucher applications. It had been taking public housing applications for one- to five-bedroom apartments since August 31, 2026.

Low Income Apartments in Albany, NY

3 new affordable apartment buildings in Albany with 414 income-restricted apartments. Each has a guide with its rents, the income it accepts and how it takes applications.

Updated October 14, 2026 · By the VoucherMatch Editorial Team

Albany's skyline, with the turreted state university building at the left and the tall Corning Tower behind it, seen across the Hudson River — Albany skyline from the Hudson

Rendering of a row of three-story buildings with gray, blue and green siding, front stoops with black railings and a brick building at the right, seen from the street — Mosaic South

Rendering of a four-story apartment building with blue and cream siding over a dark base, an entrance canopy, a lawn with a bench and a bus on the street — North Gate Landing

Places to apply: 3
Income-restricted apartments: 414
Rents from: $733/mo
Market 1-bedroom (FY2027): $1,425; HUD Fair Market Rent

New affordable buildings in Albany

Income-restricted buildings finished recently or still being built, each with a guide.

ZIP code

3 places in Albany.

New building
North Albany · 12204
North Gate Landing
500 Northern Boulevard
Apartments
185 income-restricted
Rent
Rents not published
Applying
Interest list open; completion expected in summer 2027
Waiting listNew building
South End · 12202
Mosaic South
Second Avenue and Broad Street
Apartments
166 income-restricted · 1 bedroom to 4 bedrooms
Rent
$1,013 to $2,635 a month
Applying
Waitlist open since August 6, 2026, no deadline
New building
Westland Hills · 12206
Colvin Avenue Commons
60 Colvin Avenue
Apartments
63 income-restricted · 1 bedroom to 2 bedrooms
Rent
$733 to $1,693 a month
Applying
Applications taken by the leasing office; no deadline

Income limits in Albany County (FY2026)

Each new building sets its own income range, given in its guide. HUD’s limits for the county are the yardstick most of them are measured against.

1 person: $43,100
2 people: $49,250
4 people: $61,550

Very low income limit (50% of the area median), yearly, before taxes.

Show the full table: every household size at 30%, 50% and 80%

Household	30%Extremely low (30%)	50%Very low (50%)	80%Low (80%)
1 person	$25,900	$43,100	$68,950
2 people	$29,600	$49,250	$78,800
3 people	$33,300	$55,400	$88,650
4 people	$36,950	$61,550	$98,500
5 people	$39,950	$66,500	$106,400
6 people	$44,360	$71,400	$114,300
7 people	$50,040	$76,350	$122,150
8 people	$55,720	$81,250	$130,050

Source: HUD FY2026 income limits. Income is gross annual income for the whole household; the property verifies it when your name comes up on the waiting list.

Have a Section 8 voucher instead?

A Housing Choice Voucher works the other way round: the assistance follows you, and you rent from a private landlord who accepts it. Browse voucher-friendly listings in Albany, or see Section 8 rent limits and housing authorities in Albany County. Open voucher waiting lists are on the Section 8 waiting lists page.

More housing help in Albany

Low income apartments in other cities

Frequently asked questions

Is there a housing lottery in Albany, NY?: Not a city one. Buildings financed by New York State run a lottery for their first apartments on NYS Housing Search, then keep a waitlist. Mosaic South in the South End drew its lottery on July 20, 2026 and opened its waitlist on August 6, 2026.
How do I apply for affordable housing in Albany?: It depends on the building. State-financed buildings take applications through NYS Housing Search or their manager, Albany Housing Authority sites through one online pre-application, and other buildings through their own leasing office. Each article names the route for its building.
Can I use Section 8 in a new affordable building in Albany?: Federal law bars a tax-credit building from refusing a renter for holding a voucher. State listings add that the minimum income "may not apply" with Section 8. The rent still has to fit your voucher, so each article compares rents with the range a payment standard must fall in.
What are the income limits for affordable housing in Albany in 2026?: HUD's 2026 limits for the Albany area are $43,100 for one person and $61,550 for four at 50% of area median income, and $68,950 and $98,500 at 80%. The area median family income is $123,100.
Is the Albany Housing Authority Section 8 waiting list open?: On October 5, 2026 the Authority's site said it was not accepting Housing Choice Voucher applications. It had been taking public housing applications for one- to five-bedroom apartments since August 31, 2026.