1. Why is there a housing lottery process?
The lottery process is used when demand is expected to exceed available supply. Rather than allocating homes on a first-come, first-served basis or through subjective selection, the lottery is intended to provide a fair and transparent method for allocating opportunities among eligible faculty.
The system is designed to balance three priorities:
- Fairness: providing eligible participants a meaningful opportunity to be selected
- Transparency: using a random and auditable selection process
- Access over time: increasing the likelihood of selection for participants who repeatedly participate without success
By combining a random drawing with accumulated entries, the process seeks to balance opportunity with continued participation over time.
2. Why not just sell homes on a first-come, first-served basis?
A first-come, first-served approach can disadvantage faculty who are unavailable at the moment a listing opens or who need time to evaluate a purchase decision.
The lottery ensures that all eligible participants have a reasonable and equitable opportunity to participate within a defined timeframe, rather than rewarding speed alone.
3. Why do additional entries accumulate over time?
Additional entries recognize continued participation by those who have not yet been successful.
Participants earn one additional entry for each unsuccessful lottery they enter, increasing their likelihood of selection over time.
4. Is the lottery random?
Yes. The selection process uses a best-practice random-number generated drawing.
Each participant’s number of entries determines how many chances they have in the drawing, but the selection itself is random.
5. Why are some homes not offered through the lottery?
In limited circumstances, Stanford may allocate certain homes outside the lottery process in support of institutional priorities or programmatic needs.
When a home is offered through the lottery, the published lottery procedures govern the selection process.
6. Why are there policies regarding declining a home after being selected?
Entering the lottery is intended to reflect a genuine intent to purchase the home offered.
If participants could routinely decline selected homes without impact, it could reduce opportunities for others and undermine the balance of the accumulated-entry system.
This policy is intended to encourage thoughtful participation while preserving equitable access to limited housing opportunities.
7. What happens if I am selected for more than one home at the same time?
If you are selected for multiple homes, you may proceed with the purchase of only one home.
Any additional selected homes that you decline will be treated in accordance with the program's standard decline policies.
8. What happens if no offers are received by the deadline?
If no offers are received by the stated deadline, the home may be subsequently offered on a first‑come, first‑served basis or through another process determined by FSH.
9. Can I withdraw my offer after submitting it but before the lottery takes place?
Yes, subject to any applicable withdrawal deadlines.
Withdrawing before the lottery does not count as a decline and does not affect your accumulated entries.
10. What if my financial situation changes after I submit an offer?
You should notify FSH as soon as possible if your financial circumstances change after submitting an offer.
If you are unable to proceed with the purchase after being selected, it will generally be treated in accordance with the program's standard decline policies.
11. What happens if I am selected but cannot complete the purchase?
If a selected participant does not complete the transaction, it is treated as a decline and the next participant in the lottery order may be offered the home.
12. What is a “dual‑eligible couple,” and how do they participate in the lottery?
A dual-eligible couple is a household in which both individuals independently meet Stanford's eligibility requirements to purchase its housing.
Each individual participates separately in the lottery and maintains their own accumulated entries and participation history.
To participate, they may submit an offer separately using their unique logins. Dual-eligible couples may use the same prequalification letter if it reflects their shared financial qualification.
Participation requirements, such as attending a required tour, may be satisfied either individually or through an authorized proxy in accordance with program requirements.
13. What are the next steps once I win the lottery?
If you are offered a lottery home, FSH will contact you with next steps, including confirmation of your intent to proceed, execution of purchase documents, and timeline requirements.
Failure to proceed within the required timeframe may be treated as a decline.
14. Are accumulated entries transferrable?
No. Accumulated entries belong only to the original entrant and cannot be transferred for use by another.
15. I was awarded a home through the lottery process and purchased it one year ago. Can I purchase another lottery-sale home right away, or is there a waiting period?
Once you successfully purchase a home through the lottery program or via a post-lottery direct sale, all of your accumulated lottery entries are forfeited, and you become ineligible to participate in any housing sales lottery for three (3) years from the lottery date. This policy commences on August 26, 2026 with lottery sale #125.
This restriction is intended to support thoughtful purchasing decisions and to help ensure that homes meet the needs of buyers for a meaningful period of time, while maintaining equitable access to the program.