See below for a listing of various affordable housing resources provided by the federal, state and city governments, and non-profit housing assistance organizations, as well as some other housing assistance options in the metropolitan New York area.

General Information and Legal Help for Tenants and Homeowners

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.  Through this site, you will also find all of New York City's affordable housing lottery listings.

HomeBase is a homelessness prevention program administered by Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) in high-need neighborhoods. The CBOs provide casework services and also help individuals and families locate existing community-based resources such as job training, child care, and anti-eviction legal services. Call your nearest HomeBase location to find out how they can help you.

New York City Housing Development Corporation

HDC seeks to increase the supply of multi-family housing, stimulate economic growth and revitalize neighborhoods by financing the creation and preservation of affordable housing for low-. moderate-. and middle-income New Yorkers. Lists of affordable apartments for rent or sale are available on their website.

This web site provides information about Housing Court in New York City.

A document written in 2006 by two judges on the Court How to Prepare for a Landlord-Tenant Trial , is of particular interest.

Additionally, another guide written jointly by the New York City Bar Association and the New York City Civil Court might be useful: http://www.nycbar.org/pdf/report/tenantsguide.pdf

New York City Commission on Human Rights     The New York City Human Rights Law is one of the most comprehensive civil rights laws in the nation.  The 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, located at 40 Rector Street, 9th Floor, in lower Manhattan or any of their Community Service Centers. The law requires that the complaint be filed within one year of the last alleged act of discrimination.

New York City - Community Board

In order to find out if affordable housing is planned for a community, contact the locat Community Board.  Wtihin the Community Board, the Housing and Land Use Committee will have knowledge of any future plans.  In order to find a Community Board, first click on the boroug, and the boards are divided by neighborhood and area.

New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development

The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) is the largest municipal developer of affordable housing in the nation. Over the past few years, HPD and the New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC), in partnership with other key organizations, have created or preserved nearly 100,000 units of affordable housing.

On HPD’s web site there are 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.

Also, there is the ability to sign-up for HPD email updates.

• 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.

• Middle Income Housing Development for Families Senior Citizens (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.  The law stated that after twenty years from the occupancy date, the mortgagor is allowed to prepay its mortgage releasing the obligation of staying in the affordable housing program and giving owners the right to raise rents to market value.  HDC created this preservation program as a means to encourage owners to keep their properties within the Mitchell-Lama guidelines.  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. 

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.  Simultaneously, they work to enhance the quality of life at NYCHA by offering their residents opportunities to participate in a multitude of community, educational and recreational programs, as well as job readiness and training initiatives.  Typically rent is based on 30% of the family’s adjusted gross income.

Contact:

Manhattan/ Queens Applications Office

55 West 125th Street, 7th Floor, 212-828-7100

Brooklyn / Staten Island Applications Office

350 Livingston Street, 2nd Floor, 718- 250-5900

Bronx  Applications Office

1 Fordham Plaza, 5th Floor, 718-329-7859

New York City Housing Development Corporation – Low-income Affordable Marketplace Program (LAMP)

This program provides financing for affordable rental housing reserved for people earning a maximum pre-determined income.  Apartments created through this program are rented out at affordable rents because of the low-cost financing offered through HDC.

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 Board holds an annual series of public meetings and hearings to consider research from staff, and testimony from owners, tenants, advocacy groups and industry experts.

The site provides information on the housing market including resources for finding apartments, market data, landlord/tenant issues, rights and advice, question and answer forum, and guidelines for rent-stabilized apartments.

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. The Division performs a number of activities in fulfillment of this mission, including community development, housing operations, rent administration (including information about rent-control and rent-stabilization), and policy research and development for the state.  Besides links to various forms and web sites, there is an Affordable Housing Directory. which can access locations of affordable housing by area (i.e. Manhattan).

New York State Tenant Rights and Responsibilities

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has information about tenant rights, laws and protections.  The information is accessible by state.  There is a Tenants’ Rights Guide, as well as a section on landlord law.  Another part of the site also provides resources and information on homeownership, with links to housing counseling agencies, education about homeownership, predatory lending, home-buying assistance programs, HUD homes for sale, homeownership vouchers, as well as various other resources.

The State of New York Mortgage Agency

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.

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