New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal

The New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) is an agency of the New York state government responsible for administering housing and community development programs to promote affordable housing, community revitalization, and economic growth. Its primary functions include supervising rent regulations through the State Office of Rent Administration (ORA), administering affordable housing programs, providing financial assistance for housing development and rehabilitation, supporting community development initiatives, ensuring compliance with fair housing laws, and managing the Weatherization Assistance Program.

Housing regulation
Through its Office of Rent Administration (ORA), DHCR is responsible for administering and enforcing rent stabilization and rent control laws in New York City and other jurisdictions statewide. This includes reviewing and approving rent increases, handling tenant complaints, investigating violations, ordering corrections, and imposing penalties on landlords who are found to be noncompliant. Beyond rent regulations, DHCR enforces compliance with housing maintenance codes, mediates landlord-tenant disputes, and ensures landlords adhere to warrant of habitability requirements.

Development programs
DHCR administers various programs aimed at developing, rehabilitating, and preserving affordable housing in the state. Key programs include the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and State Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, which offers tax incentives to encourage private investment in affordable housing; the federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program of the HTFC, which offers funds for housing projects targeting low-income households; and the state Low Income Housing Trust Fund of the HTFC, which provides financial support for the construction and rehabilitation of affordable rental and homeownership opportunities. HTFC receives staff and administrative support from DHCR.

DHCR also implements community development initiatives aimed at promoting economic growth and revitalizing communities. Key programs include the New York Main Street program, which provides financial assistance and technical support to help communities revitalize traditional main streets and downtown areas, and the federal Community Development Block Grant program, which offers funds to local governments, nonprofit organizations, and community-based organizations for projects that improve community infrastructure, support local businesses, and create jobs. The state Housing Development Fund provides loans to nonprofit organizations to develop low-income housing projects.

Other programs include the Rural Rental Assistance Program for projects financed with mortgages from the USDA Rural Housing Service 515 Program, and the Weatherization Assistance Program assists with reducing their heating/cooling costs.

History
The State Housing Law of 1926 created the State Board of Housing. The law was reenacted in 1927 to create the Bureau of Housing. Article XVIII on housing was added to the New York Constitution effective 1 January 1939. The Division of Housing was continued in 1939 with the enactment of the Public Housing Law. "Community renewal" was added in 1961. The Temporary State Housing Rent Commission was incorporated into the DHCR as the Office of Rent Administration in 1964.