Affordable Housing

New York City

New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development 
Resources and information for developers, homebuyers, homeowners, housing education courses, residential building owners, residential tenants, apartment lotteries (both to rent and buy), Section 8, and Mitchell-Lama are provided. There is the ability to sign-up for HPD email updates as well.

Homebase: A city-wide program designed to help families and individuals overcome immediate housing problems that could result in becoming homeless, and to develop a plan for long-term housing stability.

Home First Down Payment Assistance Program: Many New Yorkers want to buy a home but don't have enough money saved for their down payment and closing costs. The Home First Down Payment Assistance Program provides qualified homebuyers with up to 6% of a home's purchase price toward the down payment or closing costs on a 1-4 family home, a condominium, or a cooperative in one of the five boroughs of New York City.  Check the web site for qualification requirements.

Mitchell-Lama: The Mitchell-Lama program was enacted by the State in the mid-1950’s as a way to promote and facilitate the construction of affordable rental and cooperative housing throughout New York State. Each Mitchell-Lama development requires you to send a letter and application to the managing agent.  Most buildings have waiting lists and often the lists are closed, but occasionally one opens up.  Waiting lists are typically chronological, though occasionally veterans and people with disabilities get priority.  

NYC Housing Connect:  The NYC Housing Connect website lists projects currently accepting tenants and purchasers for the apartment lotteries and 80/20 programs.  The deadlines and income caps are listed, which change with each project, as well as an on-line form to submit.  The process can take anywhere from two to ten months before you hear back.  If you're rejected, the site will let you know how to appeal or redirect you to other developments. 

New York City Affordable Housing Resource Center: The New York City Affordable Housing Resource Center website provides information on all aspects of New York City housing, including renting an apartment, buying a home, and apartment maintenance issues. 

New York City Freeze Your Rent Program: The NYC Rent Freeze Program, which includes the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) Program and the Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) Program, helps those eligible stay in affordable housing by freezing their rent.

New York City Housing Authority: The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) provides decent and affordable housing in a safe and secure living environment for low and moderate-income residents throughout the five boroughs.  NYCHA also administers a citywide Section 8 Leased Housing Program in rental apartments. 

New York City Rent Guidelines Board: NYCRGB is mandated to establish rent adjustments for the approximately one million dwelling units subject to the Rent Stabilization Law in New York City. The site provides information on the housing market including resources for finding apartments, market data, question and answer forum, and guidelines for rent-stabilized apartments.

New York State

The State of New York Mortgage Agency: SONYMA provides safe, low-interest fixed-rate mortgages, down payment assistance and other programs specifically designed to help low- and moderate-income families become homeowners. There are several different programs which enable first-time homebuyers, military veterans, and low-income families to purchase homes.

UHAB/Urban Homesteading Assistance Board
UHAB provides home ownership information as well as information and listings on existing and newly-converted cooperative HDFC buildings.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
FHA loans have been helping people become homeowners since 1934. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) – which is part of HUD – insures loans, so your lender can offer you a better deal and therefore have low down payments, low closing costs, and easy credit qualifying.  Your down payment can be as low as 3.5% of the purchase price, and most of your closing costs and fees can be included in the loan.  Usually only available on 1-4 unit properties, and the property must be FHA-approved.  Some condominiums are approved and can be searched on this webpage. 

• HUD provides a searchable, on-line database for affordable housing. 
• HUD-subsidized Single and Multifamily Housing Programs

HUD's Single Family programs include mortgage insurance on loans to purchase new or      existing homes, condominiums, manufactured housing, houses needing rehabilitation, and for reverse equity mortgages to elderly homeowners.  

HUD's Multifamily programs provide mortgage insurance to HUD-approved lenders to facilitate the construction, substantial rehabilitation, purchase and refinancing of multifamily housing projects and healthcare facilities.

• HUD - New York State- specific housing information pertaining to NYS.