The Habitat-NYC Housing Covenant

Building Common Ground for Housing Justice
At Habitat for Humanity – New York City we are called by our mission not only to build, but to unite, all New Yorkers around the cause of housing justice for everyone.

The 2008 Covenant is our vision for policies and practices that will help achieve the goal of decent, affordable shelter for all. Focusing on city, state, and federal issues, the 2008 Habitat-NYC covenant calls on all New Yorkers to join us in creating just housing policy for all.

Read Habitat-NYC's 2008 Housing Covenant

2008 Housing Covenant Issues:

New York City Legislative Priorities
Building Awareness of Predatory Lending Practices
Habitat-NYC will initiate a citywide campaign to educate low-income communities on predatory practices that can drain their budgets and make decent housing and economic stability financially out of reach. This awareness campaign also will offer financially sound alternatives.
Read more about our Loan Rangers Campaign

New York State Legislative Priorities
Increasing our State's Affordable Housing Investment
New York State should direct $250 million to a new Housing Investment Fund (also known as an Affordable Housing Trust Fund) with a dedicated revenue stream. In addition to producing and preserving housing affordable to low-income New Yorkers, this investment in homes will stimulate the economy and strengthen low-income neighborhoods.
Read more about the ESHA Housing Investment Fund Proposal

Ending Abuses in the Subprime and Nontraditional Mortgage Lending Markets
New York State must enact the 2008 Responsible Lending Act, a model bill created by the coalition, New Yorkers for Responsible Lending. This bill includes an ability-to-repay standard and prohibits abuses in the in the subprime and nontraditional mortgage lending markets. This legislation would help protect vulnerable and low-income borrowers from predatory practices and would promote responsible lending.
Read more about the 2008 Responsible Lending Act

Federal Legislative Priorities
Increasing Funding for National Affordable Housing Programs
The federal government should increase funding to expand national affordable housing programs, such as public housing, Section 8 and Section 202. In addition, we are seeking expanded funding for programs that enable Habitat affiliates to build affordable housing, including: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), Self-Help Homeownership Program (SHOP) and Capacity Building for Community Development and Affordable Housing.

Creating a National Affordable Housing Trust Fund
The federal government should pass legislation to create a national affordable housing trust fund, with dedicated revenue, that will create and preserve affordable housing.

Improving Federal Oversight of Home Mortgage Lenders
Congress should use its oversight authority to end predatory mortgage tactics and should pass legislation that protects consumers from abusive lending practices. The federal government should expand funding for financial literacy and homeownership counseling programs to educate consumers on responsible borrowing practices.

Read more about HFHI’s national advocacy campaigns

Habitat-NYC Housing Covenant History

Habitat-NYC's first Housing Covenant was released in October 2004.
Read the 2004–2005 Housing Covenant.
Read the 2006 Housing Covenant.
Read the 2007 Housing Covenant.