Overview
HCR is committed to affirmatively furthering fair housing and removing barriers to housing choice for New Yorkers. On this page, you will find the policies, procedures and guidance developed to promote these goals. Please visit HCR’s Fair and Equitable Housing Office (FEHO) and New York State Division of Human Rights for more resources on fair housing and housing discrimination.
Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan
HCR’s Fair and Equitable Housing Office (FEHO) oversees the development of Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plans (AFHMP) by new and existing HCR-financed projects. The goals of the AFHMP and associated policies are to reduce segregation and promote housing choice for all New Yorkers.
Affirmative Marketing
- Notice of Intent to Begin Marketing - Must be completed 180 before occupancy & Include Long Form AFHMP.
- FEHO Short Form - Project Summary and Certification - Must be approved by FEHO before closing.
- FEHO - Forms - FEHO Long Form – Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan - Must be approved by FEHO before any marketing commences. Submit draft with NOI 180 days before occupancy.
- HCR Guidance - Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plans & Tenant Selection
- Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan - Fact Sheet
- Bulletin Update (Dec. 2017): Assessing Applicants Who Have Criminal Convictions
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Checklist
Recipients of federal funds have a duty to affirmatively further fair housing (AFFH) pursuant to the Fair Housing Act. In general, activities that AFFH should promote non-discrimination and ensure fair and equal access to housing opportunities for all.
Violence Against Women Act
Applicants and tenants of HCR and HUD-financed housing may not be denied admission or evicted from housing because the applicant or tenant has been the victim of a crime protected under the Violence Against Women Act, if otherwise qualified for the housing. The following documents provide relevant guidance and forms for implementing the HCR VAWA policy.
HCR VAWA Management Bulletin:
- HCR Guidance: Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013, December 2017
- HCR VAWA Local Service Provider List
HCR VAWA Model Forms:
- HCR Model Notification of Occupancy Rights under VAWA
- HUD Model Certification of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking and Alternative Documentation
- HCR Model Emergency Transfer Plan
HUD VAWA Final Rule:
HUD Guidance on VAWA Final Rule:
Credit and Criminal Convictions Assessment Policies
Housing Providers cannot reject applicants for HCR-funded housing based solely on credit history. An individualized assessment must be done that takes into consideration factors like whether the debt is student or medical debt and the length of time since certain negative credit events.
Please use the following documents to apply the Credit Policy.
-
Know Your Rights - Credit
Know Your Rights document - to be provided to applicant when requesting additional information and upon denial
Download
Criminal Convictions Assessment Policy
With limited exceptions, housing providers of HCR-financed units can no longer reject an applicant because of their criminal history without first conducting and individualized assessment of the applicant and allowing them to provide additional information.
Webinar Training on Criminal Convictions Assessment Policy
Policies and Forms
-
FEHO - Document - Guide for Applying Anti-Discrimination Policy for Applicants Who Have Criminal Convictions
Guidance for People with Criminal Convictions
Download
-
FEHO - Document - Worksheet for Applicants with Criminal Convictions
Worksheet for Applicants with Criminal Convictions
Download
-
FEHO - Document - Information for People with Criminal Convictions
Information for People with Criminal Convictions
Download
Training
NYS Fair and Equitable Housing Office Fall 2016 Fair Housing Webinar
This Fair Housing Webinar provides an overview of Federal, New York State and local fair housing laws and regulations as well as emerging and cross-cutting issues impacting fair housing.
Click here to watch the training video: