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NEW YORK, NY — The New York City Council Thursday advanced a broader effort to strengthen homeownership across New York City, introducing a package of legislation addressing challenges facing current and prospective homeowners while also voting to increase funding for services that help New Yorkers protect and maintain their homes.
The legislative package includes proposals addressing homeowner displacement, property tax payments and exemptions, estate planning and fraud prevention, homebuyer financial assistance, the Housing Choice Voucher homeownership program, and transparency around City enforcement. Sponsored by Deputy Speaker Dr. Nantasha Williams and Council Members Crystal Hudson, Frank Morano, Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Mercedes Narcisse, Kevin C. Riley and Ty Hankerson, the proposals address different points in the homeownership process, from creating pathways to purchase a home to helping longtime homeowners protect their properties and preserve generational wealth.
The package includes Int. 1096 (Williams), Int. 1097 (Williams), Int. 1083 (Hudson), Int. 1084 (Hudson), Res. 599 (Morano), Int. 861 (Brooks-Powers), Int. 862 (Brooks-Powers), Int. 1091 (Narcisse), Res. 363 (Riley), and Int. 1082 (Hankerson).
At the same Stated Meeting, the Council is also voting to add $540,000 to the newly established Homeowner Stabilization Services Initiative, [Res. 652] bringing the initiative to $5.69 million in Fiscal Year 2027. The funding supports trusted organizations providing legal, financial and technical assistance to prospective homeowners, homeowners and their heirs, including foreclosure prevention, estate planning, deed theft assistance and help resolving tangled titles.
In addition to these efforts, the Council is also bringing its homeowner work directly into communities, beginning with a Homeownership Expo in Queens on October 17. The event will connect homeowners and prospective homeowners with organizations providing information, services and assistance to help New Yorkers purchase, maintain and protect their homes.
“Homeownership remains one of the most important ways families build stability and generational wealth, but protecting that investment has become increasingly complicated for too many New Yorkers,” said Deputy Speaker Dr. Nantasha Williams. “Across the Council, members are introducing legislation that responds to the different challenges homeowners are facing. At the same time, we are increasing our investment in trusted organizations that help New Yorkers navigate foreclosure, estate planning, tangled titles, deed theft and other issues that can put a family’s home at risk. And we are bringing that work directly into our communities, creating more opportunities for homeowners to connect with the information, services and assistance available to them. Together, these efforts reflect a broader approach to protecting homeownership: strengthening our laws, investing in the services homeowners rely on, and making those resources easier to access. For families who have worked for years, and often generations, to own a piece of New York City, protecting that investment is also about protecting what they have built and what they hope to pass on.”
Speaker Julie Menin Quote
“Ensuring that homeownership grows and thrives in every borough is an essential component of the Council’s proactive housing agenda. I commend Deputy Speaker Williams for leading this multi-pronged effort to help existing homeowners navigate financial and legal hurdles and pave the way for more New Yorkers to own their homes. We look forward to advancing this legislative package in the coming months.”
Simone Jones, Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief Equity Officer
“This package, spearheaded by Deputy Speaker Williams, strengthens the protections and resources homeowners deserve from their city government. Equity means ensuring families are not robbed of in a moment what took generations to build—homeownership, stability, and generational wealth. I commend the sponsors of this package for advancing stronger safeguards for homeowners and communities across New York City.”
Council Member Linda Lee, Chair of the Committee on Finance:
“Amidst our city’s ongoing affordability crisis, this Council will continue to champion efforts that keep homeownership affordable. New Yorkers deserve the tools and resources they need to make informed financial decisions, protect themselves from fraud, and build a path toward owning and keeping their homes. For many residents, particularly immigrant New Yorkers, homeownership is an important pathway to building wealth for future generations. I am grateful to Deputy Speaker Williams and my colleagues for their leadership and commitment to this vital effort.”
Council Member Crystal Hudson:
“Protecting New York City homeowners takes a comprehensive approach. Too many New Yorkers are left to navigate property taxes, scams, and complex financial decisions on their own. My bills ensure New Yorkers have the knowledge and tools to navigate homeownership in our city by expanding access to financial literacy advisors for older adults and making it easier for homeowners who fall behind on their property taxes to be enrolled in a payment plan that suits their needs. This package helps homeowners protect themselves and their homes from those trying to take advantage of their assets, especially in the gentrifying Black and brown communities that have long been targeted. New Yorkers deserve the tools to keep their homes, and this package is a meaningful step towards making that a reality.”
Council Member Frank Morano:
“Homeowners who rent to families using housing vouchers shouldn’t have to navigate a maze of paperwork, phone calls and bureaucratic delays just to get paid. My legislation would create a one-stop online portal where landlords can submit documents, track payments and resolve problems with the city. This is especially important for small property owners who don’t have teams of accountants and lawyers. When we make it easier for homeowners to participate in rental assistance programs, we also make it easier for New Yorkers to find and keep a place to live.”
Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers:
“Homeownership remains one of the most reliable pathways for working families to build generational wealth. But rising costs and limited access to resources are putting that opportunity out of reach for too many New Yorkers. That’s why I’m proud to sponsor two bills to offer much needed support towards a path to homeownership. Introduction 861 would direct HPD to conduct targeted outreach to ensure more eligible Section 8 voucher holders know they can use their vouchers toward homeownership through the Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Program. And, Introduction 862 would require HPD to assist at least 600 first-time homebuyers each year with down payment and closing costs through HomeFirst.”
Council Member Mercedes Narcisse:
“This legislative package will strengthen crucial protections and expand resources for homeowners across our city. As the affordability crisis puts homeownership increasingly out of reach for so many, the Council is taking real action. My bill ensures homeowners receive proactive notice when building violations could lead to a tax lien, equipping them to address issues early. I’m proud to join my colleagues in advancing this package to support homeowners.”
Council Member Kevin C. Riley, Chair of the Committee on Land Use
“New York’s housing crisis cannot be solved by New York City alone. Resolution 363 supports a statewide fair housing framework that calls on municipalities across New York to do their fair share to create affordable housing, expand opportunities for families and ensure long-term affordability. If we are serious about helping New Yorkers achieve housing stability, build generational wealth and one day become homeowners, we have to address the shortage of affordable homes at its core. I’m proud to stand with Deputy Speaker Dr. Nantasha Williams and my Council colleagues in advancing a broader approach that protects existing homeowners while expanding the resources and housing opportunities New Yorkers need to put down roots and build a future.”
Council Member Ty Hankerson:
“I am proud to introduce legislation today requiring the City to provide more transparency surrounding the Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Program (HCVHP). For lower-income and working class families, this program can provide a path to homeownership along with the stability and intergenerational wealth that comes with it. However, far too few households know that their housing vouchers can be used toward the cost of a mortgage instead of rent. This bill will reveal how many eligible households don’t take advantage of the HCVHP, and it will provide valuable data as we advocate for the program to provide more comprehensive support and outreach to potential homeowners.”
Building on the Council’s Investment in Homeowners
The Homeowner Stabilization Services Initiative brings together the Council’s previous Estate Planning and Resolution and Foreclosure Prevention Programs and expands the services eligible for funding. The initiative supports counseling, legal and technical assistance, pre-purchase and financial counseling, foreclosure prevention, estate planning and wills, deed theft assistance, help clearing tangled titles, home repair and resiliency resources, and related services for low- and moderate-income prospective homeowners, homeowners and their heirs.
The additional $540,000 being voted on at Stated will expand the resources available to trusted organizations providing these services directly to New Yorkers.
The October 17 Homeownership Expo in Queens will build on these efforts by connecting homeowners and prospective homeowners directly with organizations and resources. The Queens event will be the first in a broader community engagement effort to make homeowner assistance more accessible across the city.
