New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal

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New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal
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The New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) is an agency of the New York state government [1] responsible for administering housing and community development programs to promote affordable housing, community revitalization, and economic growth. Its primary functions include supervising rent regulations through the State Office of Rent Administration (ORA), administering affordable housing programs, providing financial assistance for housing development and rehabilitation, supporting community development initiatives, ensuring compliance with fair housing laws, and managing the Weatherization Assistance Program.

Contents

Housing regulation

Through its Office of Rent Administration (ORA), DHCR is responsible for administering and enforcing rent stabilization and rent control laws in New York City and other jurisdictions statewide. This includes reviewing and approving rent increases, handling tenant complaints, investigating violations, ordering corrections, and imposing penalties on landlords who are found to be noncompliant. Beyond rent regulations, DHCR enforces compliance with housing maintenance codes, mediates landlord-tenant disputes, and ensures landlords adhere to warrant of habitability requirements.

Development programs

DHCR administers various programs aimed at developing, rehabilitating, and preserving affordable housing in the state. Key programs include the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and State Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, which offers tax incentives to encourage private investment in affordable housing; the federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program of the HTFC, which offers funds for housing projects targeting low-income households; and the state Low Income Housing Trust Fund of the HTFC, which provides financial support for the construction and rehabilitation of affordable rental and homeownership opportunities. HTFC receives staff and administrative support from DHCR.

DHCR also implements community development initiatives aimed at promoting economic growth and revitalizing communities. Key programs include the New York Main Street program, which provides financial assistance and technical support to help communities revitalize traditional main streets and downtown areas, and the federal Community Development Block Grant program, which offers funds to local governments, nonprofit organizations, and community-based organizations for projects that improve community infrastructure, support local businesses, and create jobs. The state Housing Development Fund provides loans to nonprofit organizations to develop low-income housing projects.

Other programs include the Rural Rental Assistance Program for projects financed with mortgages from the USDA Rural Housing Service 515 Program, and the Weatherization Assistance Program assists with reducing their heating/cooling costs.

History

The State Housing Law of 1926 created the State Board of Housing. [2] [3] The law was reenacted in 1927 to create the Bureau of Housing. [4] Article XVIII on housing was added to the New York Constitution effective 1 January 1939. [5] The Division of Housing was continued in 1939 with the enactment of the Public Housing Law. [6] [7] "Community renewal" was added in 1961. [8] The Temporary State Housing Rent Commission was incorporated into the DHCR as the Office of Rent Administration in 1964. [9]

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References

  1. ↑ Public Housing Law § 10 et seq.
  2. ↑ "State Housing Law". Laws of New York . Vol.  149th sess.: II. 1926. pp. 1507–1521. hdl:2027/uc1.a0001859735. ISSN   0892-287X. Chapter 823, enacted 10 May 1926, effective immediately.
  3. ↑ NYS Executive Department (10 May 1926), New York State bill jackets - L-1926-CH-0823, New York State Library , retrieved 2023-04-24
  4. ↑ "State Housing Law". Laws of New York . Vol.  150th sess.: I-II. 1927. pp. 41–56. hdl:2027/uc1.b4378095. ISSN   0892-287X. Chapter 35, enacted 17 February 1927, effective immediately.
  5. ↑ Proposed by the 1938 Constitutional Convention and approved by referendum on 8 November 1938.
  6. ↑ "Public Housing Law". Laws of New York . Vol.  162nd sess.: II. 1939. pp. 1978–2039. hdl:2027/uc1.b4378105. ISSN   0892-287X. Chapter 808, enacted 8 June 1939, effective 1 July 1939.
  7. ↑ NYS Executive Department (8 June 1939), New York State bill jackets - L-1939-CH-0808, New York State Library , retrieved 2023-04-24
  8. ↑ "Chapter 398". Laws of New York . Vol.  184th sess.: I. 1961. pp. 1398–1399. hdl:2027/uc1.a0001834654. ISSN   0892-287X. Chapter 398, enacted 11 April 1961, effective immediately.
  9. ↑ "Chapter 244". Laws of New York . Vol.  187th sess.: I. 1964. pp. 1039–1041. hdl:2027/uc1.a0001834720. ISSN   0892-287X. Chapter 244, enacted 29 March 1964, effective 1 July 1964.

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