Finding a place to call home in NYC isn’t always a simple task, but apps like Homey have hit the scene to make the process less taxing. And thank goodness — NYC rent is a staggering 149% higher than the national average.
If you’re looking to make a move to one of the hottest neighborhoods throughout the five boroughs or want to dial back on monthly costs, Homey is certainly worth exploring.
All about the Homey app
This brand-new app intends to free up your time, keep important paperwork on file, and stay alert when new opportunities arise. Overall, Homey is believed to cut down the time and effort required applying to a housing lottery by 80-90%, which is certainly a weight off your shoulders. Imagine only taking 10 minutes to find your new home? (It’s possible.)
According to the brains behind the app, here’s what Homey can do for you:
- Creates a user profile
- Generates the necessary documents
- Offers one-click submissions to eligible lotteries
- Tracks applications
- Manages paperwork
- Sends real-time notifications
Co-founder Wout Stienaers was inspired to create Homey after going through a lengthy lottery application process himself. Homey tackles the heavy lifting, plus makes the offerings accessible on mobile devices, which comes in handy when laptop or desktop access might not be possible.
Stienaers said, “New Yorkers are busy. Between work, family, and life, they don’t have time to constantly monitor new lotteries or deal with confusing paperwork. Homey takes care of it for them — so they never miss out on affordable housing.”
In addition to simplifying the administrative process, the mathematics are also taken care of for those who might not be numbers-savvy. By answering, “Do you have more assets than X? (X = your household’s annual income),” will weed you through appropriate fits price-wise.
“This works because applicants cannot be disqualified over an incorrect estimate — only if their assets exceed the limit at the time of selection,” Stienaers adds.
If you’re curious and could use a hand, give Homey a try for yourself. If you’re looking for more assistance, RentalReboot is the city’s first-ever rent stabilized tracker, and it’s a game-changer.