Access to safe, stable, and affordable housing is a fundamental need – yet for too many New Yorkers, homeownership remains out of reach. With 1 in 5 households spending half or more of their income on housing and wages falling far short of what’s needed to afford a modest home, the housing crisis is deepening. That’s why advocacy is essential.
At Habitat for Humanity, we don’t just build homes – we work to change the systems that make housing unaffordable. Yesterday, staff and volunteers from Habitat for Humanity affiliates from across the state traveled to Albany to meet with legislators and push for policies that will make homeownership more accessible for low- and moderate-income families.
Our Advocacy Priorities
Fair Taxation and Assessment Policies
The current tax assessment system disproportionately burdens homeowners who purchase subsidized homes, undermining affordability efforts. Assessors are required to tax these homes at full-market value, even though they were made affordable through state subsidies. We’re urging lawmakers to support S01718-A/A00355-A (a version of this proposal is included in the Governor’s Executive Budget, ELFA, Part K), which would ensure that owner-occupied homes bought with state subsidies are taxed fairly so that homeownership remains attainable.
Strengthening Impact with a Local ‘Opt-Out’ and Expanded Tax Adjustment
We applaud Governor Hochul’s focus on affordable homeownership. The Governor’s Executive Budget proposal (ELFA, Part K) includes an important provision to reduce property taxes on affordable homes – however, we’re advocating for a few small tweaks to help more hardworking New Yorkers. While the proposal allows for tax adjustments, it requires municipalities to “opt in,” limiting its impact. Instead, shifting the policy to a local “opt-out” system would streamline the process and allow more communities to benefit without bureaucratic hurdles.
Additionally, the proposal caps assessment adjustments at 50%, which may not be enough to maintain affordability in higher-cost areas. Adjusting this cap to 75% would better reflect market conditions and affordability restrictions, ensuring that homeownership costs (mortgage, insurance, taxes) remain below 30% of household income, as required by state guidelines.
Funding the Affordable Housing Corporation (AHC) at $36M
While rental housing has received significant investment, homeownership programs remain underfunded. The Affordable Housing Corporation (AHC) plays a crucial role in helping families move from renting to owning, strengthening communities, and reducing the wealth gap. We are urging the state to allocate at least $36 million to AHC to ensure Habitat for Humanity and other housing nonprofits can continue expanding access to homeownership.
Click here to view our 2025 Advocacy Flyer
Thank You for Amplifying Our Voice
Advocacy is most powerful when we stand together. Thanks to the dedication of Habitat staff, volunteers, and supporters, traveling from across the state, we made our voices heard at the Capitol. By meeting with lawmakers, we took meaningful steps toward policies that will make homeownership more attainable for New Yorkers and elevate Habitat’s mission. Our thanks go out to the Habitat affiliates that participated:
- Buffalo
- Capital District
- Columbia-Greene
- Dutchess County
- Greater Rochester
- Schenectady County
- New York City & Westchester
- Northern Saratoga, Warren & Washington Counties
- Steuben County
- Tompkins-Cortland Counties
- Ulster County
- Habitat International
We also offer our sincere thanks to the many lawmakers, staff, and government officials that have been working hard to make homeownership a reality for more families across the state. But our work doesn’t stop here. We’ll continue fighting for the resources and reforms needed to build a future where everyone has a decent place to live.