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.
In 2013, Habitat for Humanity - New York City is committed to promoting affordable housing and financial stability for all. We invite New Yorkers to come together and raise our voices as well as our hammers to strengthen our great city, state and nation.
Read Habitat-NYC's 2013 Housing Covenant
2013 Housing Covenant Issues:
Storm Recovery and Rebuilding
Ensure that New York receives the resources necessary to restore and rebuild our
homes and communities devastated by Superstorm Sandy:
In the wake of such large
scale destruction, it is essential that financial resources and strategic partnerships across all sectors are
raised to meet the incredible needs of our affected neighborhoods. Habitat-NYC will stand alongside
partnering organizations, elected officials, and institutions to make sure these resources become available and are used effectively.
New York City Legislative Priorities
Call for 2013 Mayoral Candidates to produce comprehensive affordable housing
plans that address the full housing continuum:
As the mayoral election approaches and
the Bloomberg administration’s New Housing Marketplace plan is coming to an end, now is the
perfect opportunity for our political leaders to put forward fresh, bold and innovative solutions for
the next administration. This plan should emphasize the importance of homeownership, and include
other key housing issues such as homeless and supportive housing solutions, public housing and rental preservation, tenant protection, foreclosure prevention, and neighborhood stabilization. Any
housing plan should clearly define affordability and unit sizes, prioritizing need over numbers so that
distribution of housing opportunities reaches very low-income residents while addressing the continued
challenges of creating and preserving workforce housing.
Ensure that affordable homeownership remains an essential and central public policy
issue as a key solution to our city’s affordable housing crisis:
Affordable homeownership gives lowincome and working families critical economic and social benefits — building equity, significantly improving educational
achievement, fostering greater civic participation, inspiring pride and a sense of accomplishment and improving physical
health. Building affordable homeownership units are powerful economic engines that quickly create jobs, generate new
tax revenue and stabilize families and communities. Habitat-NYC will make sure that our elected officials support the vital
importance of affordable homeownership and affordable homebuilding.
New York State Legislative Priorities
Increase New York State’s capital investment in affordable housing:
Today, more New Yorkers than ever
before are experiencing a housing crisis, and we are urging Governor Cuomo to increase the state’s capital investment
in affordable housing and the economic activity and job creation that homebuilding generates. Programs such as the Low
Income Housing Trust Fund (HTF), the Affordable Housing Corporation (AHC), and New York State HOME provide
essential housing development opportunities that contribute to New York’s economic growth and the stabilization of our
struggling neighborhoods. The state should also identify a ? exible, dedicated revenue stream for affordable housing that is
not subject to annual appropriations.
Renew J-51 tax abatements for cooperative and condominium ownership opportunities:
The J-51 tax
abatement is an important mechanism for Habitat-NYC homeowners; it ensures that for the life of a Habitat family’s
mortgage, their tax burden will be low enough to maintain affordability amidst increasing energy and maintenance costs.
And due to the increasing scarcity of affordable housing opportunities, this important legislation should be renewed
alongside measures that strengthen, protect, and expand New York City’s affordable housing stock.
Federal Legislative Priorities
Invest in stabilizing communities and maintain federal resources that support the work of Habitat for Humanity
nationwide:
In support of the federal Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative, Habitat for Humanity International seeks to
leverage United States government programs and resources to revitalize low-income neighborhoods and to create resilient
communities. To support this initiative, the federal government must maintain and enhance the following funding streams:
Corporation for National and Community Service (AmeriCorps and VISTA):
Provides Habitat affiliates with the
capacity to engage tens of thousands of volunteers in efforts to rebuild struggling neighborhoods;
National Housing Trust Fund and Capital Magnet Fund:
Provides production resources for new construction and
rehabilitation of vacant properties;
› SHOP (Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program):
Provides Habitat affiliates liates with resources to acquire the land and infrastructure needed to rebuild communities hard-hit by the foreclosure crisis;
Section 4 Capacity Building:
Provides resources to support the staffinng and skills needed to rebuild communities with
high foreclosure rates;
Preservation Programs:
Provide affordable rental homes for low-income families and individuals through public
housing, Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and Section 202 housing for the elderly.
Foster land tenure security internationally — ensuring families the right to live in a place without fear of
eviction:
› Return Shelter to the U.S. Development Agenda:
As Congress works to reauthorize the Foreign Assistance Act, particular
attention should be given to the importance of adequate shelter to achieving the full spectrum of U.S. development assistance goals;
› Ask the House of Representatives to cosponsor the SLUM Assistance Act (H.R. 1702):
The SLUM Assistance Act would
direct the President to develop a strategy to foster urban management and sustainable urban development; increase security
of land tenure; expand access to basic affordable housing, essential services and infrastructure for communities in poverty;
and promote innovative programs to improve slums.
Habitat-NYC Housing Covenant History
Habitat-NYC's first Housing Covenant was released in October 2004.
Read the 2012 Housing Covenant.
Read the 2011 Housing Covenant
Read the 2010 Housing Covenant
Read the 2009 Housing Covenant
Read the 2008 Housing Covenant
Read the 2007 Housing Covenant
Read the 2006 Housing Covenant
Read the 2004–2005 Housing Covenant
Read more about HFHI's national advocacy campaigns
