A system of distribution of prizes or rewards by lot or chance, especially one in which players pay for a ticket bearing a group of numbers and win if those numbers match the winning numbers randomly spit out by a machine. Lotteries may also refer to games in which the prize money is a single large sum of cash (called a lump-sum payout) or a series of payments over time (annuity).

While there are many reasons why people play lottery, it’s important to remember that most lottery players know they have long odds of winning. This doesn’t stop them from buying tickets, and in fact, people who buy the most lottery tickets are disproportionately lower-income, less educated, nonwhite and male. In the end, though, the reason most people play is that they just plain like to gamble. They feel a glimmer of hope that they might be the lucky ones, and that their tiny, improbable shot at winning is the best way up in this economy where meritocratic advancement seems impossible.

HACA conducts a lottery to select applicants for housing units that are available in our waiting lists. All applications are eligible for the lottery; your application date or preference points do not impact your chances of being selected.

HACA lottery results are announced by email. If you are selected to be added to the wait list, you will need to complete additional steps before you can move forward with your housing application.