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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 2012, 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 2012 Housing Covenant 2012 Housing Covenant Issues: New York City Legislative Priorities
Affordable homeownership gives low-income 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 is a powerful economic engine that quickly creates jobs, generates new tax revenue and stabilizes communities. Habitat-NYC will make sure that our elected officials support.
As the mayoral election approaches and the 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, rental preservation, tenant protection, foreclosure prevention, neighborhood stabilization and clearer definitions around affordability and unit make-up that emphasize need over numbers.
New York State Legislative Priorities
For the past decade, applications for New York State housing capital funds have greatly exceeded availability. 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.
Since 2008 this program, administered by NY Homes and Community Renewal, has stabilized neighborhoods and local economies by keeping homeowners in their homes during what has become the worst foreclosure and housing crisis since the days of the Great Depression. In addition to assisting more than 80,000 homeowners through counseling and legal services, at least 14,000 homes have been saved from foreclosure – making New York among the top five states in obtaining federal Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) loan modifications. With the loss of other sources of funding from the federal and local governments, the need for continued state funding is more acute than ever.
Federal Legislative Priorities
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 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 staffing 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.
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. 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 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. |
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Habitat For Humanity
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