- Angela Santiago, a 33-year-old single mom, won a New Jersey housing lottery in 2024.
- The part-time content creator pays $1,200 a month in rent for a brand-new two-bedroom apartment.
- "We wake up happier and have a better overall outlook on life," she said.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Angela Santiago, a 33-year-old single mom who won an apartment with below-market-rate rent in Montville, a township about 30 miles west of Midtown Manhattan, through an affordable housing lottery program run by Piazza and Associates. She shared her experience in a July TikTok video that has more than 368,000 views. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
I am a single mom with a 10-year-old son who I have full-time.
Although his father pays child support, and I earn $43,000 a year with a bachelor's degree, it's still been a struggle managing bills and extremely high rent.
I've had to work several side hustles to make ends meet, including social media. While I don't earn a lot, I've made some money on Instagram by posting reels and recently joined TikTok's Creator Fund, where I also do product reviews.
Still, paying for housing in New Jersey has felt unaffordable.
When I moved to my previous apartment complex in Elizabeth in 2018, the rent for a two-bedroom apartment started at $1,550 a month and increased to $1,760 by 2024.
The complex was old, and had bugs and no amenities. I wasn't living in a great area, either. The school district wasn't the best, and there was crime, homelessness, and drug use on the streets.
I knew I had to leave Elizabeth before my son reached high-school age because I wanted him to be safe and receive a better education. I didn't want him to be exposed to the kinds of things I was growing up. That kind of environment forces kids to grow up way too fast.
I didn't think I'd win the housing lottery
In New Jersey, developers can build big, expensive buildings as long as they reserve some units for low-income people. This helps make sure that everyone has a shot at affording some of the nicer buildings.
In 2018, a former coworker told me about Piazza and Associates, a company that helps low-income renters and home buyers find affordable housing.
Piazza and Associates runs a lottery program that helps these households get into homes or apartments at discounted rates — relative to income — across New Jersey.
At first, the program sounded too good to be true. I also read reviews from other applicants who said the process took a long time and that it was tedious.
I wanted to apply but thought, "Yeah, right, like I'm going to win one of these apartments."
But last year, a coworker of mine was buying a home through Piazza. He encouraged me to apply, and his success was motivational. I realized that if he could do it, so could I.
The housing-lottery application process was tedious
I submitted my preliminary application for an apartment complex in October 2023. I didn't receive a request to send in my final application until late March. I was waitlisted because my income was too high for the very low-income category, so I was moved to the low category.
In April, I received an email asking me to submit my final application. The whole process required a lot of paperwork. The stack of documents needed was about three inches tall and included W-2s, six months of bank statements, and more.
In July, I was given the OK to submit my final application for the apartment complex. I also had to resubmit bank statements to Piazza. Later that month, I received my approval letter, signed my lease, and then moved into my new apartment in August.
I basically hit the lottery. In the building where I live, only six to 10 apartments were set aside for low-income tenants, yet 5,128 people applied.
Our apartment is new and beautiful
My new apartment is located in Montville, a very affluent town.
The median house price is about $800,000, and the median income is around $134,000. The schools are also amazing.
My apartment complex has several courtyards with grills and a large rentable event space that includes a pool table, TVs, and a kitchenette.
Additionally, there's an arcade, playground, gym, rooftop lounge with a bar area, and a tanning section.
My apartment costs $1,260 monthly, including parking and a dog fee.
I have a gorgeous two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit with a walk-in closet, a dual vanity in the bathroom, and a balcony.
It also has an in-unit washer and dryer, a built-in microwave above the electric stove, and a dishwasher.
When I moved in, I got rid of many items, including my king-size bed, which wouldn't fit in my new place's smaller bedroom.
I used nearly $500 from the revenue I earned from my videos on TikTok to buy a couch and a coffee table from a local Habitat for Humanity store.
I am okay with just the basics for now because the opportunity is just so great.
My life has changed for the better since winning the housing lottery
Removing ourselves from the old building and town has done wonders for our mental health.
Both my son and I have changed for the better. We wake up happier and have a better overall outlook on life.
My son is excited to explore the amenities and enjoy the sunshine. This is unlike when he used to play in the parking lot at our old complex. It's great to have a safe space for him.
The best part of living in my new building is just having peace. I haven't heard sirens since I moved in, and it's wonderful to have a quiet environment without arguments in the hallways or the unpleasant smell of drugs.
I am also able to save money to get a safer car now.
Lottery programs like Piazza's are making a significant impact and changing lives, which is amazing.
It's especially encouraging to see that many of the people benefiting are Black and Brown women, who are getting a chance to be independent and live in luxury.
However, the process isn't as fast or efficient as it could be. While they're helping many people, they have so much on their plate trying to get them into apartments.
I believe more programs like this, along with additional resources, are needed. Greater awareness also needs to be raised to show that they are legitimate and not scams.
I've been moved by comments on my video from people saying it gave them hope. It's heartbreaking to realize how many people are struggling and need such programs.
I just wish there were more opportunities available to those who need them.
