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.

General information about New York City's housing services is provided in this link.

Housing Information Classes – Offered by NYC’s Department of Housing, Preservation and Development

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 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 Commission on Human Rights
The New York City Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations based on race, color, creed, age, national origin, alien, age or citizenship status, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, and partnership status.  A human rights complaint may be filed with the Law Enforcement Bureau of the City’s Commission on Human Rights.

New York City Housing Development Corporation – Low-income Affordable Marketplace Program (LAMP)
Financing for affordable rental housing is provided, though reserved for people earning a maximum pre-determined income. 

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. Affordable housing FAQs are provided.

New York State

New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal
The Division of Housing and Community renewal in New York State is responsible for the supervision, maintenance and development of affordable low- and moderate-income housing in New York State. Community development, housing operations, rent administration (including information about rent-control and rent-stabilization), and policy research and development for the state is provided. 

Information about SONYMA, the State of New York Mortgage Agency, is also provided. 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.

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-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.
• HUD Resource Locator  - Searchable database for HUD for low rent housing. You can search New Jersey and New York states and look for specific towns and areas.

New Jersey

Fair Housing Council
Fair Housing Council has some information about fair housing in New Jersey.