New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal

The New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) is an agency of the New York state government[1] responsible for administering housing and community development programs to promote affordable housing, community revitalization, and economic growth. Its primary functions include supervising rent regulations through the State Office of Rent Administration (ORA), administering affordable housing programs, providing financial assistance for housing development and rehabilitation, supporting community development initiatives, ensuring compliance with fair housing laws, and managing the Weatherization Assistance Program.

New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal
Division overview
Division executives
  • RuthAnne Visnauskas, Commissioner
  • Betsy Mallow, Executive Deputy Commissioner
Parent agency
Key document
WebsiteOfficial website

Development programs

DHCR administers various programs aimed at developing, rehabilitating, and preserving affordable housing in the state. Key programs include the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and State Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, which offers tax incentives to encourage private investment in affordable housing; the federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program of the HTFC, which offers funds for housing projects targeting low-income households; and the state Low Income Housing Trust Fund of the HTFC, which provides financial support for the construction and rehabilitation of affordable rental and homeownership opportunities. HTFC receives staff and administrative support from DHCR.

DHCR also implements community development initiatives aimed at promoting economic growth and revitalizing communities. Key programs include the New York Main Street program, which provides financial assistance and technical support to help communities revitalize traditional main streets and downtown areas, and the federal Community Development Block Grant program, which offers funds to local governments, nonprofit organizations, and community-based organizations for projects that improve community infrastructure, support local businesses, and create jobs. The state Housing Development Fund provides loans to nonprofit organizations to develop low-income housing projects.

Other programs include the Rural Rental Assistance Program for projects financed with mortgages from the USDA Rural Housing Service 515 Program, and the Weatherization Assistance Program assists with reducing their heating/cooling costs.

History

The State Housing Law of 1926 created the State Board of Housing.[2][3] The law was reenacted in 1927 to create the Bureau of Housing.[4] Article XVIII on housing was added to the New York Constitution effective 1 January 1939.[5] The Division of Housing was continued in 1939 with the enactment of the Public Housing Law as chapter 44-A of the Consolidated Laws.[6][7] "Community renewal" was added in 1960.

The Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (HSTPA) strengthened tenant protections, reformed rent regulation laws, and expanded rent stabilization to cover additional rental units in New York State. The HSTPA made significant changes to rent regulation laws, such as eliminating vacancy decontrol and limiting rent increases for major capital improvements and individual apartment improvements.

References
  1. Public Housing Law § 10 et seq.
  2. "State Housing Law". Laws of New York. Laws of the State of New York Passed at the Sessions of the Legislature. Vol. 149th sess.: II. 1926. pp. 1507–1521. hdl:2027/uc1.a0001859735. ISSN 0892-287X. Chapter 823, enacted 10 May 1926, effective immediately.
  3. NYS Executive Department (10 May 1926), New York State bill jackets - L-1926-CH-0823, New York State Library, retrieved 2023-04-24
  4. "State Housing Law". Laws of New York. Laws of the State of New York Passed at the Sessions of the Legislature. Vol. 150th sess.: I-II. 1927. pp. 41–56. hdl:2027/uc1.b4378095. ISSN 0892-287X. Chapter 35, enacted 17 February 1927, effective immediately.
  5. Proposed by the 1938 Constitutional Convention and approved by referendum on 8 November 1938.
  6. "Public Housing Law". Laws of New York. Laws of the State of New York Passed at the Sessions of the Legislature. Vol. 162nd sess.: II. 1939. pp. 1978–2039. hdl:2027/uc1.b4378105. ISSN 0892-287X. Chapter 808, enacted 8 June 1939, effective 1 July 1939.
  7. NYS Executive Department (8 June 1939), New York State bill jackets - L-1939-CH-0808, New York State Library, retrieved 2023-04-24

Further reading


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