Nahjae Olin, a 26-year-old African American woman from the Bronx, New York, got a slot in the NYC housing lottery and now only pays $881 per month for a one-bedroom apartment. Olin grew up in a one-bedroom household with five siblings and dreamed of owning her own property.
Olin realized it was time to create her own room after graduating from college in 2019 and returning to live with her family. She started exploring for apartments but got disheartened by the high prices. That’s when she decided to apply for the city’s housing lottery, a program that helps citizens locate affordable and rent-stabilized apartments.
Olin, a preschool teacher, began applying in 2020 and filed more than 100 applications over the next two years. Olin was determined to remain in the Bronx, her lifelong home, despite receiving offers for apartments in Brooklyn.
Her perseverance paid off when she was placed on a waitlist for a one-bedroom apartment in Williamsbridge, Bronx. Olin was astonished to be given a one-bedroom apartment when she expected only a studio.
“As soon as I went to view it, I fell in love with it and wanted it. I could see myself living there and was absolutely obsessed,” Olin told NBC Chicago.
In May 2023, Olin signed a two-year lease for her new residence. While the average one-bedroom rent in the Bronx is around $2,230, she pays only $881 each month. The building also features a laundry facility, a gym, and free Wi-Fi.
To be eligible for the lottery, Olin’s annual income had to be between $33,086 and $46,700. She gave extensive proof of income, such as bank statements and tax documents.
Olin’s move to her new apartment was a dream come true. She commented, “It felt like a complete circle moment. It’s fantastic to reside only down the street from the flat where I grew up.
Olin appreciates her mother’s support, who cried with joy when she saw the new residence. Her family now pays frequent visits and appreciates the new area.
“My family never wants to leave now. My mom gets to see that I’m not struggling or scraping by to pay for my rent like so many people,” Olin said. “She knew how stressful it was for me to move out and find somewhere to live at my age and with my income.”
Having lived in her new home for over a year, Olin is settled and isn’t planning to move anytime soon.
“It’s so hard to see myself leaving…I feel like it’s mine right now, and I’m not at a place where I want to leave just yet, but I do know that if I never do, I will be so sad,” Olin said. “It feels like this was my first big girl responsibility and something I had to do for the first time by myself.”