Helping You Get Ready to Rent
Ready to Rent offers free financial advice to those seeking affordable housing in New York City. It may seem like the housing lottery is random, and there’s indeed an element of luck in being selected, but luck is what happens when opportunity meets preparation—and we want to help you with that last part!
Affordable Housing Opportunities
for Your Family
Ready to Rent, a collaboration between Ariva, the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, helps New Yorkers prepare and apply for affordable housing through the NYC Housing Lottery.
Here’s how Ready to Rent works:
First, our Certified Financial Counselors will review your income with you to ensure that you’re applying for apartments that you’re eligible for. One of the main reasons affordable housing applications are denied—even after being selected in the housing lottery—is that income was incorrectly calculated. This first step is essential.
Next, our Certified Financial Counselors will review your credit history with you. Having a good credit history helps with eligibility, but don’t worry if you’re not there just yet. Our financial expert advisors can help you:
- Learn how to improve your credit score;
- Create a repayment plan for any outstanding debt;
- Assist in correcting errors in credit reports;
- Find the right financial products for you to establish or improve your credit.
“The most important thing that Ariva can offer you by participating in the Ready to Rent program is the opportunity to meet with a financial advisor to improve your application for an affordable home. This way, you’ll have your documents prepared for the lottery, and if you are selected, you’ll have everything ready to move in!” – Adelaida Morin, Director of Programs at Ariva
Ready to Rent Frequently
Asked Questions
Who can benefit from the Ready to Rent program?
Ready to Rent is available for those applying for affordable housing for the first time, as well as for those who have already participated in the past. There are no credit score requirements, and it is open to all New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status. (Don’t have an ITIN? We can help you with that, too!) Learn more about our free Tax Preparation and Financial Counseling programs.
What are the common outcomes for folks who participate in Ready to Rent?
Customers who have benefited most from the Ready to Rent program also have:
- Achieved a stronger housing application;
- Successfully appealed an affordable housing denial;
- Created a financial action plan to be well-prepared if selected for the affordable housing lottery;
- Learned to budget;
- Saved for moving expenses as well as future expenses.
Who should not participate in Ready to Rent?
Anyone who is already living in affordable housing.
Where can I access Ready to Rent services?
Our financial advice is completely confidential. Services are available in English and Spanish, both in person and by phone. Ready to Rent is available at our Bronx offices and partner locations in The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan. Locate Ariva’s offices here.
We Can Help
You Apply
Are you Ready to Rent? Call us at (718) 690-9873, so we can help you apply for affordable housing in New York City through Ready to Rent.