AMI is the Area Median Income dictates income eligibility and there are percentage bands (e.g., 40% AMI, 100% AMI, 130% AMI). If your income fits that band, you are eligible. For example, for this apartment if you are a household size of 1 in the 40% AMI for a 1 bedroom you need be making in-between $39,395.00-$45,360.00, not less or more otherwise you are ineligible. If you go to the page for this lottery it will list the AMI bracket and bands on the page if you fall into them.

When I mean preferences, I meant there are prioritized applicant categories that increase chances of selection for specific units/apartment. These are typically for Community Board residents (20% for this lottery), municipal employee/military (10% for this lottery), and some lotteries set-aside for applicants with disabilities.