The Habitat-NYC Housing Covenant

Building Common Ground for Housing Justice
At Habitat for Humanity – New York City we are called by our mission not only to build, but to unite, all New Yorkers around the cause of housing justice for everyone.

The 2009 Covenant is our vision for policies and practices that will help achieve the goal of decent, affordable shelter for all. Focusing on city, state, and federal issues, the 2009 Habitat-NYC covenant calls on all New Yorkers to join us in creating just housing policy for all.

Read Habitat-NYC's 2009 Housing Covenant

2009 Housing Covenant Issues:
New York City Legislative Priorities
Keep Affordable Housing at the Forefront
At this critical time, it is urgent to invest in strengthening communities and lifting low-income New York City residents out of poverty by providing more affordable housing. Building and preserving affordable housing quickly creates jobs, generates new tax revenue and stabilizes communities. Habitat-NYC is committed to ensuring our elected officials recognize the vital importance of affordable housing to our city's future.

Build Awareness of Predatory Lending Practices
On behalf of the homebuyers we serve, as well as all low-income New Yorkers, Habitat-NYC will continue to educate consumers and advocate for consumer protections on predatory practices that can drain families' budgets and threaten their ability to remain in decent housing. Campaign priorities include the following practices: 1) refund anticipation loans, 2) deceptive credit card practices, 3) rent-to-own businesses, 4) predatory auto lending.
Read more about our Loan Rangers Campaign

New York State Legislative Priorities
Maintain Our State's Affordable Housing Investment
Last year, New York State made an historic increase in its housing budget. This year, the Governor is proposing to eliminate these gains and return to the previous budget, which had remained flat for years. We are urging the Governor to baseline the 2008-2009 capital investment in affordable and supportive housing at a time when more New Yorkers than ever before are in a housing crisis.

Create a Housing Investment Fund with a Dedicated Revenue Stream (Also Known as an Affordable Housing Trust Fund)
This fund will create a permanent vehicle to provide flexible support for affordable housing for years to come, while stimulating economic development across the state. The Housing Investment Fund must target low-income New Yorkers who are most in need of affordable homes.

Federal Legislative Priorities
Increase Funding for National Affordable Housing Programs
The federal government must increase funding to expand national affordable housing production and preservation programs, including public housing, Section 8 and Section 202, as well as expanded funding for programs that enable Habitat affiliates to build and preserve affordable housing. The federal government must also include an appropriation that would capitalize the National Housing Trust Fund and an additional Neighborhood Stabilization Program allocation.

Read more about HFHI's national advocacy campaigns

Habitat-NYC Housing Covenant History
Habitat-NYC's first Housing Covenant was released in October 2004.
Read the 2008 Housing Covenant.
Read the 2007 Housing Covenant.
Read the 2006 Housing Covenant.
Read the 2004–2005 Housing Covenant.