[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6659835,"mediaKeyId","2445636-34338b2eea8ffc2150f63687ea771a11","parentId",2445636,"title","HCR lays out city-and-state housing packages including $1 billion for New York City and new mixed‑income loan fund","audioSeconds",350,"startMs",179000,"endMs",529000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2445636-34338b2eea8ffc2150f63687ea771a11&start=179&end=529","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2445636-34338b2eea8ffc2150f63687ea771a11/thumbnail_179000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6659835/New-York/HCR-lays-out-city-and-state-housing-packages-including-1-billion-for-New-York-City-and-new-mixedincome-loan-fund","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659835-487be6496ccd946b316fc01692daeb99/orig.mp4?Expires=1771086420&Signature=JMjkGZepATHMJnfaQDjcrYRxO~SQLHqJ1hGi05hs8fWzU8qCqHQvVTbPhA0so6sElIyxJ2N9jZq-~2EovVC963gvAVjTcQkdkDkpAV50~nzMM4dA8Fgf2gHo0kRpmeJ2laCBNoowHlHD60az8sJCoY7Ap8joxSJyrJkW7vhGcCZFNUtobMm9vz8Pswa-qzpsjAvVUexKCSXMHCKlvjsZ1xHgIn9374bTv~nSOgwgmf6l6jy3lG0P-jy3niriOL4lNtrhJUZrKAY8d~7Vkc-UcM3oEsnQXkdLbp~4KXXM7cn0M1WA2kORT1~O5Zr8v8L2FX2t4hLT5m85fswSNoVENQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New York - Ways and Means","date","2025-02-27T00:00:00Z","article","Ruth Ann Visnauskas, commissioner and chief executive of New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), told the joint Assembly Ways and Means and Senate Finance committees that Governor Kathy Hochul’s executive budget proposal for fiscal 2026 focuses on expanding affordable housing production, preservation and homeowner assistance across the state.

Visnauskas outlined a package that includes a $1 billion state commitment to support New York City’s “City of YES” program; new financing tools for projects outside the city such as a proposed mixed‑income revolving loan fund to bridge construction gaps; expansion of the state low‑income housing tax credit; and $50 million to spur modular and starter homes. She also highlighted continuing programs from the state’s five‑year housing plan, noting that the plan has passed its halfway point and has created or preserved tens of thousands of homes.

On the City of YES fund, Visnauskas said state dollars would be used for new construction, homeownership, and preservation — including Mitchell‑Lama and public housing — and would be administered through HCR’s existing program channels. Regarding the revolving loan fund, she described it as a second‑mortgage construction loan intended to help mixed‑income projects “pencil out” in high‑cost and high‑interest environments; HCR expects a multi‑month startup and roughly a two‑year construction‑to‑repayment cycle for revolving funds to return to the pool.

Visnauskas also mentioned policy proposals contained in the executive budget: limits on institutional investor purchases of single‑ and two‑family homes (a 75‑day wait period before some institutional offers can be made), new tax incentives and down‑payment assistance to promote homeownership, extensions to security deposit protections, and proposed legislation to ban rent‑fixing collusion. She described additional targeted dollars for resiliency retrofit programs, $40 million for a vacant rental improvement program, and expanded funding to certified pro‑housing communities.

Lawmakers pressed Visnauskas for detail during questions. Members sought specifics about allocation rules for the City of YES money, the revolving loan fund’s timeline and scale, implementation details for the modular housing pilot, and whether the state would attach affordability or long‑term regulatory requirements to projects funded through the $1 billion allocation. Visnauskas said the state would apply HCR’s existing term sheets and regulatory frameworks to ensure long‑term affordability and would work closely with New York City officials to set spending priorities.

Several committee members also raised oversight and operational issues: how HCR will deploy funds for Mitchell‑Lama rehab and preservation; whether HCR could expand technical assistance for localities seeking pro‑housing certification; how HCR will track and support projects funded through the revolving loan fund; and how HCR will coordinate with federal programs that underwrite supportive housing.

Visnauskas acknowledged insurer market pressures and recommended exploration of captive insurance models — noting a newly formed captive in New York City and asking for further study and possible limited state seed support — while stressing HCR aims to keep operations and program delivery stable under any federal funding changes.

Visnauskas’ full remarks stressed balance: “We are primed for growth and prepared to battle headwinds,” she said, adding that the administration would coordinate closely with local officials, developers and advocates to move funds into production.

Why it matters: The package mixes targeted state investments to catalyze production (the revolving loan fund and modular housing pilot) with a large, flexible commitment for New York City. If passed, the City of YES funding would represent a major dedicated state allocation for urban affordable housing while the revolving fund and tax incentives are aimed at unlocking stalled projects outside the city. Lawmakers’ follow‑up questions signaled appetite for more detail, particularly about allocation rules, timelines and measurable outcomes.

What’s next: The proposed measures are part of the governor’s executive budget and will be negotiated during the budget process. Committee members signaled they would seek additional specificity and possible expansions or clarifications as budget negotiations proceed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","New York - Ways and Means - 2025 Joint Legislative Budget Hearing - Housing - Feb 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Ruth Ann Visnauskas, commissioner and CEO of New York State Homes and Community Renewal, described a multi‑pronged housing package in Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2026 executive budget that includes a $1 billion state commitment for New York City, a proposed mixed‑income revolving loan fund to spur construction outside the city, and targeted programs for modular housing, preservation and homeowner support.","taxTitle","Ways and Means, Standing Committees, House, Legislative, New York","taxId",25116,"location","New York","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6659816,"Legal services advocates push restoration and expansion of state housing public‑benefits funding and eviction prevention assistance",183,10518000,10701000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2445636-34338b2eea8ffc2150f63687ea771a11&start=10518&end=10701","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2445636-34338b2eea8ffc2150f63687ea771a11/thumbnail_10518000.jpg","/articles/6659816/New-York/Legal-services-advocates-push-restoration-and-expansion-of-state-housing-publicbenefits-funding-and-eviction-prevention-assistance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659816-79cd7d8bfabe38b010ead9ab80fb3f2a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771086420&Signature=h0JccaIH-VeJ0Yc~850trmhrQKeVGr0fs47bYB3bnz4seRGBdD8QG4YtfIra1zGTbL6U~MD7wG9ZJOxiZiDCvblAKoNN1-WH2rPJ2ISnyyU3sEJC8zEZYhP8zlNxHmghQ8EYIdOUvULIJmAW64cEfSdFwWTDTEdpmNhoNjq6tUtNjdhRwrkM-ta5Q1u6-9Y6JVRVruEwrsSyWAr2yZnsxdRRMmerRGw-XG9Goq0Cdqhk8VorempmrXvw9WB0~bZXfgyGZ-pyKdl2dt5o~F0TVhuw9mkFPXrbn23mvPcwgd-WYGtR8Bl1QNLvyScsRbqt4cfGS-6h9qo-6nA1kZZRBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Legal Services NYC and other legal aid providers told the joint committees about a multi‑site housing public‑benefits initiative that combines eviction defense with public‑benefits advocacy and rental subsidy navigation.

Legal Services NYC described a first‑year award of $10 million (administered through OTDA) for a pilot program to fund public‑benefits advocates who work with housing attorneys; they said the initiative scaled intake and outcomes quickly and had shown a sharp increase in the number of tenants who obtained permanent rental subsidies or increased income that resolved arrears.

A Housing Public Benefits model example: Legal Services gave a case example of an elderly disabled veteran facing a $33,000 arrears claim. By pairing a housing attorney with a public benefits advocate, the veteran obtained $29,000 in subsidy to cover arrears and secured an ongoing monthly rental subsidy and food assistance; the provider said the program moved cases from one‑off arrears payments to durable subsidy solutions.

Advocates asked the Legislature to restore and expand the funding pool for New York City, and to increase the overall citywide allocation to $30 million so that Legal Services NYC and other providers can maintain the expanded staff and services now operating across the five boroughs. They also urged similar support for providers statewide, noting that some non‑NYC providers receive smaller shares of a larger statewide pot and that demand outstrips supply.

Why it matters: The model focuses on short‑term legal defense while pursuing durable subsidy solutions and benefit stabilization that reduce future legal exposure and shelter reliance. Lawyers and benefits advocates said the approach shifts resources from repeated emergency relief toward long‑term affordability outcomes.","Legal aid groups told legislators the state should restore and expand funding for housing public‑benefits advocacy that pairs eviction lawyers with public‑benefits specialists to convert crisis cases into long‑term subsidy outcomes.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":79,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6659820,"Rural housing groups warn proposed cuts would hinder preservation, call for restored funding to local RPCs",7503000,7686000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2445636-34338b2eea8ffc2150f63687ea771a11&start=7503&end=7686","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2445636-34338b2eea8ffc2150f63687ea771a11/thumbnail_7503000.jpg","/articles/6659820/New-York/Rural-housing-groups-warn-proposed-cuts-would-hinder-preservation-call-for-restored-funding-to-local-RPCs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659820-f9036e7fed1f0f6872b6272f13ddabc2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771086420&Signature=VyncsnMPYK~cXP1nBuZeEax2msEfQ3RB4eYUGtB-psGqhf~MP7eu1ZdjoM3XPx5469u8zMDMGWk-2sKtYRc7urNy9p6w4P1YJce5QLsIlzX9NIHELZNfF7k9BXjYve~i5~RBa7XXuK1FWGSw7c5B04Auvwl1-Fkh3HZv7fcR3Sr~ZXEPnv2GwxojvMsZZyUx5Eu5ySK0HBsBOJpDf-BoeV~mMajg3wurARoI~cQn3GhNrrqu3OJvdgyy2euWTccb1AHz6DEzSqG-Qs7KSxxWUoWu07S6UILp9th44eUVtNIHGZUS8qgikUCfqs2WPleDAL3SQFwaEsBucTxu49E4tQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of rural housing networks and small‑town preservation companies told the committees that the executive budget reduces or eliminates multiple programs used by rural communities to preserve and repair affordable housing.

Speakers from the Rural Housing Coalition and New York State Rural Advocates described last year’s appropriations for small‑town programs (including a new round of funding for preservation and a $7 million Small Rental Development Initiative) and said the executive budget’s cuts would reduce local capacity. They urged restoration of funds and a modest increase so that rural preservation companies (RPCs) can match the funding levels provided to neighborhood preservation programs in urban areas.

Key asks and evidence:
- Rural advocates requested restoring the rural preservation program to $8.6 million (a COLA increase and parity adjustment with urban counterparts) and preserving a $7 million small rental development program that supports 4‑ to 20‑unit developments in small communities.
- They urged that any new infrastructure funding be prioritized for communities where lack of water, sewer or electric capacity is a documented barrier to housing production, and they recommended continuing a small carve‑out for RPC capacity building and technical assistance.
- The Rural Housing Coalition cited a recent joint survey with the Association of Towns showing infrastructure gaps, limited local technical capacity, and lack of state‑targeted funds as the main obstacles to building housing in rural jurisdictions.

Why it matters: Rural communities rarely receive the same scale of capital or programmatic resources as the city; advocates said cuts to small‑town preservation programs risk losing existing affordable stock and will leave RPCs unable to match federal resources or to rehabilitate aging housing.

What the groups asked legislators to do: Restore proposed cuts to rural preservation and small rental programs, provide modest additional funding for RPC capacity, and direct infrastructure dollars to projects that demonstrably unlock housing production in rural localities.","Rural housing advocates told lawmakers the governor's executive budget zeroed or cut programs serving small towns and nonmetro New York, urged restoration of rural preservation program funds and asked state negotiators to prioritize infrastructure and capacity building for rural housing development.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6659825,"Tenants and community land trusts press state to fund Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act to keep buildings permanently affordable",241,12479000,12720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2445636-34338b2eea8ffc2150f63687ea771a11&start=12479&end=12720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2445636-34338b2eea8ffc2150f63687ea771a11/thumbnail_12479000.jpg","/articles/6659825/New-York/Tenants-and-community-land-trusts-press-state-to-fund-Tenant-Opportunity-to-Purchase-Act-to-keep-buildings-permanently-affordable","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659825-83bc53754dce08c38f48cee0ee35515a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771086420&Signature=fFMNwEkq1EvHjesesRYSiRNL3gra5z~2CaOE-vAAo0Ej-ib86l4-JfjIh4Yvo9Qs~gq9vTpN13iPULLnkkxiDD5lQ1fJMQEmDzNBLBZB0gveyXTK~wyiu2~NG2QgdJ92uwpeg26bFHeR~9r~2k7IZp2gbn0eMO55lqrjmMLlnwwnB-3AXZYGOPDjKIRINsLn3qMj2-gYpvg1Up46axsggAMbYJMX8HnfqbX62Y1dnrijWlpPVvESy~5ldWkSlSNTM5dx2R7CuCcO~f37cRUEP61xcV8Nvcu7~bx3mPurfFwh8yJdKcQNlR~7ulpp6OF-REOyiUz~CcD-w8rv8ynupA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tenants and community‑based developers used the hearing to urge lawmakers to pass and fund the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA), which would give tenants a first opportunity to buy their buildings when owners sell and provide dedicated capital and technical assistance to make purchases feasible.

Multiple witnesses — including organizers from Housing Conservation Coordinators (HCC), tenants from a Hell’s Kitchen building, community land trust advocates and the Fifth Avenue Committee — described on‑the‑ground situations where neglectful ownership, absentee landlords and speculative sales have put long‑term tenants at risk of displacement. Tenant union leaders described a building where long‑running code violations and landlord departures left residents with an opportunity to pursue purchase if they had capital and an acquisition pathway.

POINTS TESTIFIED
- TOPA would create a preemptive right for tenant associations to make an offer and would allow qualified nonprofit purchasers, including community land trusts (CLTs), to partner with tenants to buy, preserve and hold buildings as permanently affordable shared‑equity housing.
- Witnesses requested dedicated funding to finance acquisitions and predevelopment costs — advocate testimony recommended a roughly $250 million annual capital pool over several years — and urged funding for tenant technical assistance and legal counseling to execute buyers’ plans on housing’s tight timelines.
- Tenants and organizers argued TOPA is a response to speculative purchases and a complement to other proposals (e.g., limits on institutional investor offers) that aim to curb market pressures driving displacement.

LOCAL EXAMPLE
A tenant leader described a two‑building block in Manhattan (30 units and 15 units) with persistent neglect, a previously low sale price and a current listing near $4 million; tenants said they have an existing CLT partner and are ready to buy if capital and a statutory right are available. Tenant testimony emphasized the speed needed: opportunities to purchase can appear quickly and tenant groups need both cash for acquisition and immediate technical/legal assistance to finalize deals.

WHY IT MATTERS
TOPA supporters say the policy multiplies the effect of state investment by converting transient ownership transfers into permanently affordable, community‑controlled housing. Permanent affordability via CLTs, advocates argued, can reduce future subsidy needs and blunt speculative pressure on neighborhoods.

LEGISLATIVE CONTEXT
There are alternate TOPA bill texts circulating in the Senate and Assembly; supporters urged negotiators to include TOPA and an acquisition/technical assistance appropriation in the final FY2026 budget.

WHAT ADVOCATES ASKED
An annual dedicated acquisition and TA appropriation (advocates suggested $250 million annually), quick predevelopment funding and legal/technical assistance grants to tenant groups working with CLTs and community developers.","Tenant advocates, tenants and community land trust supporters asked the Legislature to include the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) in the state budget, with a $250 million annual acquisition fund and technical assistance to enable tenant buys and conversions to community control.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6659830,"Advocates press for statewide Housing Access Voucher Program to prevent homelessness and reduce costs",221,15486000,15707000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2445636-34338b2eea8ffc2150f63687ea771a11&start=15486&end=15707","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2445636-34338b2eea8ffc2150f63687ea771a11/thumbnail_15486000.jpg","/articles/6659830/New-York/Advocates-press-for-statewide-Housing-Access-Voucher-Program-to-prevent-homelessness-and-reduce-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659830-fe3a8d0056e6174b4e2edecfd787a5c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771086420&Signature=gbkAWMw0j1T09fIBWP0WCVwdgswAvSceEH4HIupGn7RTlTgHV62Ph14cu-5~u~OVZaenhudCvEig9I2-65GE2JC4zOpn-6eucouyNtO1oMw8GrpY6Lr35BCEIkn2eImkBIn2LYioGLoD1vWP1Kxh1eOPRkz~3iDnVG62gHVj-Hmzxpz0~tgXk3Hbd8gZ1wRLj33cL5G-mXbNjaMnoSCnaNFxyGL7x9Hu2hJbxWY-xmQTX32-BSx3qKeypJ2Qf0o3Uvw53EFYgn1PmPZ12NNxXYZoUK6K5NWrUxKIbnCbxzp7bQ0wkhS4L02q8-FlY8la-VK99KsJo0FdvIW7DhZ3MA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives from policy groups, service providers and people with lived experience urged the joint legislative committees to adopt and fund a statewide Housing Access Voucher Program (HAVP or HABP) in the state’s 2026 budget.

Speakers from Win (a large shelter and supportive housing provider), Enterprise Community Partners, Rochester Monroe Anti‑Poverty Initiative (RMAPI), Community Voices Heard and the National Union of the Homeless described the voucher proposal as a section‑8‑style rental assistance program administered by the state that would be available to households ineligible for city vouchers or lacking local voucher access.

Advocates emphasized three impacts: (1) immediate prevention of evictions and rapid exits from shelter, (2) long‑term housing stability for families and individuals, and (3) cost savings compared with shelter and emergency services. New Economy Project testimony referenced an analysis (by Robin Hood and others cited in testimony) and the Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council’s recommendation that a statewide rental assistance tool would reduce child poverty and homelessness.

Speakers proposed a $250 million initial appropriation as a phased start (figures discussed in testimony), with arguments that the program could be scaled and paired with housing navigation supports and arrears funds. Several witnesses and legislators argued HABP would be particularly critical if federal funding streams face uncertainty; they cited the sheer volume of demand when New York City briefly reopened its Section 8 waitlist and former recipients’ inability to find units without additional search assistance.

People with lived experience described long waits for public housing lists, compounding health and financial crises. Advocates and providers requested funding not only for vouchers but also for associated supports: housing navigation, eviction‑arrears programs, and additional capacity for fair‑housing testing and tenant legal assistance.

Why it matters: Advocates argued a state‑level voucher program would target the documented and rising homelessness crisis — including recent spikes in family and child homelessness — and provide a statewide, flexible policy tool to stabilize households. Legislative sponsors and committee members noted support, and advocates urged the executive branch to include HAVP/HABP dollars in any final budget agreement.

Evidence and requests: Testimony repeatedly referenced state comptroller and advocacy data showing rising homelessness, a Win analysis that $250 million could provide roughly 13,000 households with vouchers, and the Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council’s endorsement of a voucher tool.","Multiple homelessness, housing and service organizations urged the legislature to create and fund a statewide voucher program (HAVP/HABP) in the FY2026 budget, saying vouchers would prevent evictions, reduce child poverty, and save state costs tied to emergency shelter and services.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

HCR lays out city-and-state housing packages including $1 billion for New York City and new mixed‑income loan fund

Legal services advocates push restoration and expansion of state housing public‑benefits funding and eviction prevention assistance

Rural housing groups warn proposed cuts would hinder preservation, call for restored funding to local RPCs

Tenants and community land trusts press state to fund Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act to keep buildings permanently affordable

Advocates press for statewide Housing Access Voucher Program to prevent homelessness and reduce costs