DHCR’s New Automated Mitchell-Lama Waiting List Ensures Transparency, Fairness

ALBANY, NY (09/25/2008)(readMedia)-- The Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) has taken another step to increase transparency and public accountability by automating its waiting list for Mitchell-Lama housing and placing it on its website.

DHCR Commissioner Deborah VanAmerongen said the new automated waiting list "is a huge step forward for the agency and is great news for people seeking and waiting for Mitchell-Lama apartments."

DHCR developed this web-based system to enable people applying for Mitchell-Lama housing to monitor waiting lists. It also allows State-supervised housing companies to store and process applicant information more efficiently. The new system will help DHCR ensure that the tenant selection process for Mitchell-Lamas is fair and open to public scrutiny. Safeguards have also been taken to protect the confidentiality of personal applicant information.

The waiting list is available on the DHCR website at: http://www1.dhcr.state.ny.us/AWLStatus/

Commissioner VanAmerongen said "Two of our top priorities at DHCR are to make the agency more open and accountable to the public, and to increase our effectiveness and efficiency through the use of new technologies. This new automated waiting list will help us achieve both those goals."

The site will provide users with general marketing and contact information for Mitchell - Lama developments and allow applicants to check their current waiting list position. It will also allow users to generate transfer and admission waiting lists for each available apartment size showing the position, number and date of active applications.

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