The Housing Information and Referral Service is an initiative of the Office of Work/Life.  The service provides individual consultations on renting or purchasing apartments and homes within commuting distance of Columbia University campuses.  The service is available to all faculty, including faculty being recruited to the University, and to all other Columbia University employees. 

Services include:

General Real Estate and Housing Information

• Metropolitan New York area overview
• Housing challenges in the New York area
• Neighborhood information for NYC, Westchester, New Jersey and other areas
• Map of local area with rental, co-op and condo building locations
• Definition of real estate terminology
• Issues of buying vs. renting
• Information and contacts for realtors, attorneys, inspectors and other real estate professionals
• Eligibility and requirements, including Dean's approval, for The Provost's Faculty Housing Assistance Program 

Rental Options

• Landlord and managing agent information
• Lease information
• Tenant information
• Short term and temporary housing options

Purchasing Options

• The process of purchasing a property
• Mortgage information and options
• Affinity Lending Program

For more information or to make an appointment, please contact:

Alice Lesman, Director of Housing Information and Referral

Email: al2775@columbia.edu

Telephone: (212) 851-9182

Fax: (212) 851-1886

Columbia University
516 West 112th Street (Lionsgate Complex)
New York, NY 10025 

The door to the office is set-back off the street in between Christ Scientist Church on the right and  the Lionsgate, a residential building with a green canopy on the left.