“Unlocking Doors” is a new program that will invest up to $10 million to renovate distressed rent-stabilized homes and then connect New Yorkers experiencing homelessness with access to those homes. Through this pilot, the City will provide up to $25,000 for qualifying repairs for up to 400 rent-stabilized homes that are currently vacant and unavailable for rent. After the repairs are complete, HRA will then match the rehabilitated apartments with households with City Fighting Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement (CityFHEPS) vouchers for use and distribute the reimbursement to the apartment’s owner.
Each Unit must be registered with DHCR as vacant in 2022 and 2023 and the legal rent of that specific unit must be below the threshold established in the CityFHEPS Rules and below:
(A) $1200 for a dwelling unit with up to one bedroom;
(B) $1300 for a dwelling unit with two bedrooms; and
(C) $1400 for a dwelling unit with three or more bedrooms.
All work must be completed per CityFHEPS guidelines and requirements. Units will only be eligible to receive the funding associated with the program after the unit and building passes an inspection by HPD according to CityFHEPS requirements and a CityFHEPS voucher holder is offered a two-year lease.
Step 1 – Preliminary Eligibility Determination
Please ensure the below documents are uploaded with initial submission for Preliminary Eligibility Determination
Step 2 – Inspection and Work Verification Submission
Applicants have up to 6 months from date of Preliminary Eligibility Determination to complete renovation and submit proof of cost. Please ensure the below documents are uploaded to ensure a complete application is submitted.
All supporting documentation for Steps 1 and 2 must be submitted through the Unlocking Doors Application Portal
Applications should be filed on an individual unit basis and will be considered for eligibility on a first come first served basis and approved after work verification and inspection. Only up to three units per building will be approved for the Unlocking Doors repair grant. The program will fund up to 400 units.
Please email UnlockingDoors@hpd.nyc.gov