NEW YORK HOUSING CONFERENCE
Policy Agenda
Founded in 1973, The New York Housing Conference (NYHC) advocates for the housing needs of all New Yorkers through education and positive change in public policy. Through our broad-based coalition of nonprofit and private developers, owners, managers, professionals, and funders of affordable housing, we promote adequate resources, workable regulations and public awareness of the need for and benefits of affordable housing.
The NYHC Executive Committee develops priorities annually in consultation with Board Members, NYHC staff, the National Housing Conference, government officials, and other national and state housing organizations and stakeholders. Our 2010 priority focus areas are summarized in this document. This is our agenda for our education and advocacy work before Congress, the New York State Legislature, the Administration and Executive Departments.
2010 Priority Focus Areas
FHA Insurance
NYHC supports the FHA Multifamily Loan Limit Adjustment Act of 2009 to raise FHA multifamily mortgage limits. In addition, we support regulatory reforms necessary to make the 220 Loan Programs more compatible with the Federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit program and to allow for subordinate financing.
Federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit Proposals
NYHC strongly supports the consensus agenda developed by a broad cross section of stakeholders in the field of quality affordable rental housing. We recommend the federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit program be strengthened so it can be fully utilized by extending the Exchange Program; increasing the Housing Credit Carry-back period; and taking steps to further broaden the Investor Base. NYHC calls for the Federal Government to provide a wider range of income limits in the Low-Income Housing Credit program so that more people in need can benefit from this important program.
We support changes to the New York State Qualified Allocation Plan and allocation process that increase per-unit and per-project caps so that affordable housing projects can more fully benefit from the eligible basis available under federal law and to cover the added expense of State program and design requirements.
New York State Low Income Housing Tax Credit Proposal
NYHC supports State legislation to strengthen the State Low Income Housing Tax Credit program by allowing for the bifurcation of the state and federal credits when the programs are used in tandem on the same project.
Section 8
NYHC calls for adequate funding to renew all authorized vouchers and to provide new vouchers to help meet the growing demand by families in need. We support Section 8 Voucher Reform, in particular provisions that will reduce the program’s administrative burdens on Public Housing Authorities and compensate them fairly for their administrative costs. We support a new program proposed by HUD to convert public housing and privately owned Section 8 moderate rehabilitation, rent supplement, and Section 236 rental assistance program projects to project-based vouchers with long-term contracts and a resident mobility feature.
Expand SCRIE Program to Freeze Rents for Income Eligible Tenants
NYHC supports the expansion of the Senior Citizens Rent Increase Exemption program (SCRIE) for eligible households in New York City to freeze rents in rent-stabilized apartments for individuals and families with annual incomes at or below $45,000 who pay one-third or more of their income on rent, regardless of age, as long as a beneficial fund is established to reimburse property owners.
The New York State Executive Budget
While the Executive Budget calls for the maintenance of current year funding for the State’s affordable housing capital programs, it reduces Local Assistance funding. A variety of housing and related initiatives that are directly administered by DHCR, OCFS, and OTDA are included in the draft budget. These include the popular Neighborhood and Rural Preservation programs, alternatives to detention and residential placement, and special needs housing programs. NYHC calls for the full restoration of these important programs. We also call upon the Legislature to consider the economic benefits of additional capital funding for housing development – we would be helping to put the construction industry back to work and assisting people who depend on our affordable housing programs for stability, if not survival.
Supportive Housing
NYHC calls for the restoration of New York State funding for support services to help ensure that the State and City meet their commitments under NY/NY III. July 2011 marks the halfway point under this initiative, and according to recent reports, only 17 percent of the units have been completed to date.
Rural Housing
NYHC calls for additional State funding with a set aside for new units to keep the federal USDA Rural Development Section 515 program viable in New York. Without these actions, rural parts of the State will lose much needed federal resources for very low-income multifamily housing.
HOME
NYHC calls for increased federal funding for the HOME program. In addition, we urge HUD to make regulatory changes that will improve the program’s efficiency and flexibility, in particular so that the program can be used more easily with the Federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit program.
We support changes to the New York State HOME Program regulation and funding process to increase per-unit and per-project caps so that affordable housing projects can more fully benefit from the eligible funding available under federal law and to cover the added expense of State program and design requirements.
Income Limits
NYHC calls for the Federal Government to provide a wider range of income limits in all housing programs so that more people in need can benefit from existing programs and services.
Sub Metering of Utilities or Conversion to Direct Metering
NYHC calls for the State Housing Agencies, together with the Public Service Commission and NYSERDA to develop a joint policy on sub metering of real estate, so that property owners and tenants are incentivized to conserve energy usage.
The National Housing Trust Fund
NYHC calls for a dedicated and sustainable funding stream for the National Housing Trust Fund.
Choice Neighborhoods Initiative
NYHC fully supports the creation and full funding of the newly proposed Choice Neighborhoods Initiative. This program will expand on the lessons of the HOPE VI program and help revitalize neighborhoods of high poverty.