NYC’s HomeFix 2.0 Expands with New Partnership to Help Hundreds of Homeowners

September 19, 2024

Helping Working Families, Struggling New Yorkers, Seniors on Fixed Incomes-HomeFix 2.0 supports Low- and Moderate-Income New Yorkers Stay and Invest in Their Homes.

Program Expansion Includes New Green Upgrades and Resilience Repairs to Help New Yorkers Strengthen Their Homes.

HPD announces partnership with the Center for New York City Neighborhoods to administer HomeFix 2.0.

New York, NY - The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) is proud to announce the re-launch and expansion of its successful affordable homeownership program HomeFix. HomeFix 2.0 is a homeownership assistance program to help low- and moderate-income homeowners throughout the five boroughs fund needed repairs and upgrades to their homes. The program allows New Yorkers, often long-time residents including working families and seniors, not only to stay in their homes, but to invest in their homes.

HomeFix 2.0, iniatiated in 2023, aims to assist 450 homeowners over the next three years by offering expanded repairs and new opportunities for upgrading and fortifying homes. Today, the City announces a new partnership with the Center for New York City Neighborhoods (CNYCN) and opportunity for homeowners to apply for funding. HomeFix 2.0 is now taking applications. Homeowners can submit an expression of interest form with CNYCN. HomeFix 2.0 represents a vital investment in our communities, helping New Yorkers build more resilient and sustainable homes while addressing the ongoing housing affordability crisis.

Originally launched in 2019, HomeFix 2.0 provides 1-4 family homeowners with access to low- or no-interest loans of up to $150,000 in New York City. The loans pay for repairs that address building systems, housing deficiencies, and other conditions that may be hazardous to residents' health and safety. Eligible renovations may include window replacement and heating, hot water, roofing repairs, and accessibility improvements to help seniors age in place. The program pairs both financial and technical assistance from community-based organizations and non-profit partners, providing financial counseling, construction management, and other individualized services to help homeowners achieve long-term stability.

HomeFix 2.0 Program Updates

The City is expanding assistance as part of the program, which provides low-cost loans to owners of 1-4 family homes, with a focus on sustainability and resiliency. The expanded program provides critical support to homeowners throughout the city, thanks to a new partnership with CNYCN selected through a competitive process to manage the program. HomeFix 2.0 will focus on helping residents make essential improvements, including green upgrades and resilience repairs, to ensure their homes are more sustainable and better protected against environmental challenges.

The expanded HomeFix 2.0 program introduces several key additions:

• Green Upgrades: Homeowners can now apply for support to make their homes more energy-efficient, including insulation improvements and energy-efficiency appliances.
• Resilience Repairs: The program will also cover flood prevention measures and other upgrades designed to increase the resilience of homes against climate-related events.
• City funding: The expanded program is funded through a contract with the City for the first time, allowing for the program to cover sustainability and resiliency upgrades to reduce energy costs, advance emissions reduction goals, and help protect homeowners from extreme weather and flooding events.

"Our city's housing challenges demand bold and visionary solutions that don't leave homeowners behind. HomeFix 2.0 is a game-changer," commented HPD Commissioner Adolfo Carrion Jr. "HomeFix 2.0 represents more than just an expansion of repair services-it's a powerful commitment to building inter-generational wealth and combating poverty through homeownership. At a time when climate change makes our homes more vulnerable than ever, HomeFix 2.0 will empower New Yorkers to create greener, more resilient homes. By investing in these critical upgrades, we're safeguarding our neighborhoods and ensuring a brighter, more secure future for every family we support."

HPD's partnership with the Center for New York City Neighborhoods underscores our dedication to supporting homeowners and enhancing the quality of housing throughout New York City. The Center for NYC Neighborhoods was created in 2008 to combat the issues affecting homeowners in New York City. What started during the mortgage crisis grew into wraparound services for neighborhoods across the City.

"In the face of climate change and rising costs, we must ensure NYC's homeowners have the resources to maintain the city's aging housing stock, achieve financial sustainability and prevent the displacement of lower income families and neighbors," said Christie Peale, Executive Director & CEO of the Center for NYC Neighborhoods. "We commend the Department of Housing Preservation and Development for relaunching and expanding HomeFix to address resiliency challenges and create opportunities for homeowners to access affordable, high-quality repairs."

HomeFix Background

The HomeFix program supports low- to middle-income homeowners in need of affordable financing for repairs. In the first three years after the program launched, the program attracted significant interest. To address robust demand, as part of Housing Our Neighbors, the City announced it would add funding for the program. The original demonstration program was largely funded with private funding; the new program reflects the City's financial commitment to the program. In October 2023, the City announced an expansion and began a search for a new partner. The selection of CNYCN as the agency's partner, comes as the City approaches the 12th anniversary of Hurricane Sandy and following several years of worsening, extreme weather that has hit homeowners particularly hard.

Salvatore D'Avola, Executive Director, Restored Homes Housing Development Fund Corporation commented, "We are so excited to see the re-launch and expansion of the HomeFix Program. By expanding assistance to low- and moderate-income homeowners, HomeFix 2.0 will allow homeowners to address critical repair needs that will allow them to remain in their homes and communities. As a mission driven nonprofit, we are pleased to be part of this collaboration and look forward to continuing to ensure quality workmanship."

Seventy-five percent of buildings in the city's coastal floodplain are one- to four-family homes, highlighting the urgent need to address increased flood risks and other climate threats. In doing so, HomeFix 2.0 will support the long-term preservation of the city's housing stock, promote the health and safety of residents, and provide critical stability for approximately 150 homeowners each year.

Many low- and moderate-income homeowners need assistance to keep up with rising repair and upgrade costs. This need has only grown since the pandemic, which caused instability for many lower income homeowners. Rising inflation, supply chain constraints, higher interest rates, and other costs have made home maintenance more expensive than ever. The expansion of HomeFix 2.0 is a vital part of a range of strategies the City is deploying to help existing homeowners address physical and financial conditions in small buildings, prevent foreclosure and displacement, and ensure the long-term stability of one- to four-family homes that are one of New York City's most important vehicles for neighborhood stabilization, economic mobility, and intergenerational wealth creation.

For more information about HomeFix 2.0 and how to apply, please visit the HPD HomeFix page here.

The program is expected to benefit low- to middle- income New Yorkers, including older homeowners, many of whom are on fixed incomes. The Parodneck Foundation's Senior Citizen Homeowner Assistance Program has operated since 1986 exclusively targeted to meeting the home improvement needs of senior citizen homeowners throughout the five boroughs, and will continue to be an HPD partner implementing HomeFix 2.0. "We are excited to collaborate with The Center for New York City Neighborhoods and our other nonprofit partners in support of the HomeFix 2.0 program continuing to assist the city's at-risk senior citizen homeowners," said Thomasina White, Executive Director of the Parodneck Foundation.

"For over 40 years, Neighborhood Housing Services of New York City has empowered disadvantaged low- and moderate-income New Yorkers to purchase and preserve affordable housing opportunities. We look forward to continuing our partnership with The Center for New York City Neighborhoods in support of the HomeFix 2.0 program." said Nedra Campbell, Director of Programs and Operations of Neighborhood Housing Services of New York City.

City of Yes for Homeownership

HomeFix adds to the range of programs and tools the City has created to support homeowners. In March 2024, HPD designated a Homeowner Advocate, to address homeowner needs across the City. HPD also offers loans and tax exemptions that provide funding to Mitchell-Lama and HDFC cooperatives for renovations.

In August, HPD announced the expansion of the Plus One ADU pilot program, which provides funding for owners of single-family homes to add an accessory dwelling unit (ADU). HPD received 2,800 applications within the limited application period. Homeowners that applied for financing indicated they were interested in creating an ADU in order to improve their family's financial condition or house a family member.

To further support homeowners interested in adding an accessory unit or expanding their home, the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity proposal would legalize ADUs for one- and two-family homes across New York City, and implement "district fixes" to clear zoning barriers that frequently prevent homeowners from doing basic renovations or securing financing for improvements.

The City of Yes for Housing Opportunity proposal will advance important fair housing goals first identified in the 2020 Where We Live NYC plan, which committed the City to facilitate more equitable housing development by increasing housing options, particularly for low-income New Yorkers, in amenity-rich neighborhoods. City of Yes for Housing Opportunity proposes to enable a little more housing in every neighborhood - including those that have not contributed their fair share to the City's housing needs.

The plan puts forth several proposals that will enable homeowners to more easily make upgrades to adapt their homes to changing needs and add Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), thereby enhancing homeowners' long-term financial and housing stability. It would also re-legalize mid-rise development types that are conducive to affordable homeownership models near transit and along commercial corridors. The City of Yes for Housing Opportunity zoning text amendments will help ensure that all residents have access to safe and dignified housing in the neighborhoods they choose.

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