The log number system is used in affordable housing lotteries to establish a preliminary order for reviewing applications. This number is not an indication of qualification, but rather a randomly assigned position on a queue that determines when an applicant’s eligibility will be formally reviewed. The system creates a transparent process for accessing housing units offered at below-market rents to income-eligible populations. The value of the log number depends entirely on its numerical position relative to the total apartments available and the number of other applicants.
The Mechanics of Log Number Assignment
The assignment of a log number is a purely random, software-driven event that occurs after the application period closes. This process is similar to a digital drawing, where every eligible application is assigned a unique, sequential number. The time or date an applicant submitted their information has no bearing on the number they receive.
Once an application is submitted, the applicant receives a confirmation and, eventually, a log number. This number is static and serves as the application’s unique identifier throughout the entire lottery and review process. The numerical range can span from a single digit up to tens of thousands, depending on the development’s scale. Only one log number is generated per application, regardless of household size.
Defining a Favorable Numerical Range
What is considered a low log number is highly relative, depending on the total units available, the number of applications received, and the specific income bracket. Generally, a log number under 1,000 is considered excellent and provides a strong likelihood of being called for an eligibility review. For smaller lotteries or highly desirable buildings, a number below 500 is even better.
In very large lotteries receiving over 100,000 applications, a log number between 1,000 and 3,000 is still considered favorable. Conversely, a number exceeding 10,000 is often unfavorable, though it does not eliminate the applicant entirely. The probability of success decreases as the log number increases past the number of units being offered.
If a building has 100 units, the first 100 log numbers represent the highest probability of immediate selection. However, because many applicants with low numbers are disqualified during eligibility verification, housing agents call applicants well beyond the number of available units. This creates a pool of qualified candidates.
Preference Priorities and Application Set-Asides
The strict numerical order of log numbers is altered by regulations mandating preference priorities and application set-asides. These legally defined groups are processed first, often filling a significant percentage of available units before general population log numbers are considered. Common preference groups include local residents, those with specific disabilities, and municipal employees.
Preference groups are ordered by their log number internally, but they jump ahead of the general pool regardless of the general pool’s position. For instance, an applicant with a high log number who qualifies for a local residency preference may be called sooner than an applicant with a low number who has no preference. The specific percentage of units allocated to each preference group is determined by the governing housing body for each development.
The Next Steps After Being Called
Once an applicant is contacted by the marketing agent, the process moves from a random lottery to a rigorous financial and household investigation. The applicant must attend a formal interview and submit extensive documentation to verify household composition, income, and assets for all adult members.
The required paperwork typically includes:
- Multiple recent pay stubs, W-2 forms, and complete tax returns.
- Bank statements and proof of other financial assets.
- Verification of household members, such as birth certificates and photo identification for adults.
- Proof of current residency, such as a current lease agreement and recent utility bills.
Being contacted is not a guarantee of housing, as the applicant must satisfy all eligibility criteria, including being within the required income bracket and passing credit and background checks. The developer reviews the file, and then a city employee conducts a final audit for accuracy and compliance. This vetting process can take several months before a final determination is made to offer a lease, place the applicant on a waitlist, or issue a rejection.