From Dream to Reality: 26-year-old African American, Nahjae Olin Wins NYC Home Through Housing Lottery

Nahjae Olin, a 26-year-old African American woman from the Bronx, New York, has won a spot in the NYC housing lottery and now pays just $881 a month for a one-bedroom apartment. Growing up in a one-bedroom apartment with 5 siblings, Olin always dreamed of having her own place but "Nahjae Olin's Dream Comes True as she Wins NYC Housing Lottery at 26.

After finishing college in 2019 and moving back in with her family, Olin knew it was time to find her own space. She began looking for apartments but was discouraged by the high costs. That’s when she decided to enter the city’s housing lottery, a program that helps residents find affordable and rent-stabilized apartments.

Olin, who is a preschool teacher, started applying in 2020 and submitted over 100 applications in the next two years. Olin was determined to stay in the Bronx, her lifelong home, even though she received offers for apartments in Brooklyn.

Her perseverance paid off when she was offered a spot on the waitlist for a one-bedroom apartment in Williamsbridge, Bronx. Expecting to just settle for a studio, Olin was surprised when she got a one-bedroom apartment.

“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 apartment. While the average rent for a one-bedroom in the Bronx is about $2,230, she enjoys the benefit of paying just $881 a month. The building also provides amenities such as a laundry room, gym, and free Wi-Fi.

To qualify for the lottery, Olin’s annual income had to fall between $33,086 and $46,700. She provided detailed proof of income, including bank statements and tax forms.

For Olin, moving into her new apartment was a dream come true. She said, “It felt like a full circle moment. To live down the block from the apartment I grew up in is great.”

Olin cherishes the support she received from her mother, who even cried with pride upon seeing the new apartment. Now, her family frequently visits and enjoys the new space.

“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.”