Lottery opens for 155 affordable apartments in Far Rockaway, from $410/month

A housing lottery opened this week for 155 apartments at a new 100 percent affordable development in Far Rockaway. The building at 1605 Village Lane is the fourth phase of Rockaway Village Apartments, a sprawling housing project with 1,700 apartments connected by several public plazas. New Yorkers earning 30, 50, 60, and 80 percent of the area median income, or between $17,006 for a single person and $140,080 for a household of seven, can apply for the units, priced from $410/month studios to $2,035/month three bedrooms.

Developed by Phipps Houses and designed by Marvel, the $1 billion mixed-use development replaces an abandoned strip mall with eight new buildings, housing, and commercial space. The project was introduced under former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s rezoning of Far Rockaway, approved by the City Council in 2017.

Rockaway Village includes a public plaza flanked by commercial space leading to the six new residential blocks on a tree-lined street. The development is clad entirely in brick of various blends, creating unique individual buildings “with a cohesive whole,” according to Marvel.

“Rockaway Village reflects the collective efforts of the neighborhood, City Council, multiple city agencies and our client, Phipps Houses,” Guido Hartray, partner at Marvel, said. “We are honored to design permanent affordable housing that provides high quality of life for thousands of New Yorkers and reactivates the center of the village.”

“Once completed, the project will result in some 1,700 apartments, thoughtfully planned green space for the neighborhood and tenants, and 100,000 square feet of retail—all accessible by public transit and a direct pedestrian connection between the A train and LIRR.”

Amenities include a fitness center, outdoor play area, children’s playroom, laundry facilities, parking, bike storage, a large landscaped plaza, and a supermarket. Apartments feature hardwood floors, air conditioning, stainless steel appliances, dishwashers, and air conditioning.

In December 2021, a housing lottery for the first phase opened for roughly 700 units across three buildings. A housing lottery for the third phase was held in June 2023 for 283 apartments across three towers and one building with 26 duplex apartments.

The property sits across the street from the Far Rockaway-Mott Avenue subway terminal, the terminus of the A train, and is also near the Long Island Rail Road.

Qualifying New Yorkers can apply for the apartments until May 14, 2024. Preference for 50 percent of the units will be given to residents of Queens Community District 14. Complete details on how to apply are available here. Questions regarding this offer must be referred to NYC’s Housing Connect department by dialing 311.

If you don’t qualify for the housing lotteries mentioned, visit CityRealty.com’s no-fee rentals page for other apartment deals in the city.

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