New York State Senate and Assembly Join Communities First Coalition to Call for Funding for Homeowner Assistance

March 4, 2019, New York, NY – The New York State Senate and Assembly have recommended $20 million be dedicated in the New York State budget to continue critical funding for programs that help vulnerable New Yorkers fight mortgage fraud, predatory scams, and foreclosures.

 
Over the last decade, a network of 89 housing counseling and legal service providers have helped homeowners across the state navigate devastating housing challenges, but that funding runs out on March 31st, and will force many organizations statewide to end services and lay off workers. According to a new report from Comptroller Di Napoli, many counties continue to struggle with foreclosure — especially Suffolk, Clinton, Rockland, and Putnam — and cuts in State funding for homeowner protection programs could undermine or even reverse the progress made to stem foreclosures in New York State.

The State and Assembly have both recommended the continuation of funding through separate bills, but the final decision to include it in the New York State budget must be made in negotiation with Governor Cuomo.

Statement from the Communities First campaign:

“We thank the New York State Senate and Assembly for standing up for New York homeowners by asking the Governor to continue the critical, free nonprofit housing counseling and legal services that has been helping New Yorkers at risk of losing their homes for a decade. We urge the Governor to include the $20 million in the final New York State budget. With the continuation of funding, nonprofits will be able to keep their doors open and provide the essential housing counseling and legal services that allows New Yorkers to keep their homes and stay in the communities they love. With the rising threats to homeownership that could lead to countless New Yorkers being displaced and financially ruined, we now look to Governor Cuomo to agree to help our homeowners and save hundreds of nonprofit jobs statewide.” — Jacob Inwald, Legal Services NYC; Kirsten Keefe, Empire Justice Center; Christie Peale, Center for NYC Neighborhoods

For more information, go to nycommunitiesfirst.org.