Land Acquisition and Preparation for Affordable Housing

Municipalities can play a key role in developing low-cost housing by acquiring land specifically for the development of affordable housing. After purchasing land, municipalities can sell it to a nonprofit or affordable housing developer or even directly to low- to moderate-income home buyers at a lower price than it was purchased. The price may depend on the financial needs of the project or home buyer.

One such program that is currently available in New York State is called House-NY. Through House-NY, interested communities receive technical and financial assistance to identify suitable sites for the development of housing, help bring the property through the necessary approval stages (zoning, environmental reviews, etc.), and generally make it shovel-ready for housing production.