Image Credit: NYC HPD

On August 17, 2020, The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, along with Citi Community Development and Investment, awarded nine community-based organizations over $200,000 to help disabled New Yorkers apply for affordable housing. This assistance is provided through the Department’s Housing Ambassador Program, which connects nearly two million users on Housing Connect with community organizations that assist with the housing application process.

The nine organizations include Brooklyn Community Services, Churches United for Fair Housing, Community Inclusion & Development Alliance, Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation, Kingsbridge Heights Community Center, Neighborhood Housing Services of Queens CDC, Inc., Stonewall Community Development Corporation, Urban Upbound, and We Stay/Nos Quedamos. These organizations were each awarded $20,000 for upgrades to their technological and social distancing services, wheelchair accessibility spaces, language interpretation capabilities, and assistive technology for deaf or hard of hearing.

The City hopes that through this additional funding, the 110,000 applicants who have indicated that a member of their household has a hearing, vision or mobility disability will receive adequate information and guidance about accessing affordable housing.

“Ensuring that all New Yorkers can access the housing opportunities the City has to offer is paramount to how we do business. We are thrilled to build upon our partnership with dedicated community partners to serve people with disabilities and bringing the city one step closer to becoming a more inclusive, fairer city,” said HPD Commissioner Louise Carroll.

“In my Assembly district and across the city, many people living with disabilities face unnecessary obstacles when applying for affordable housing, potentially causing them to lose out on an apartment that would enhance their overall quality of life,” said Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz (D-Brooklyn), Chair of the Assembly Housing Committee. “This expansion of the Housing Connect program will mean that more people with disabilities will be able to learn about and apply for affordable housing opportunities from community-based organizations that understand their needs and challenges.”

By: Victoria Agosta (Victoria is the CityLaw intern and a New York Law School student, Class of 2022.)