CHI recently received a $500,000 award as part of the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative, Gov. Cuomo’s “sweeping” five-year plan to develop more than 106,000 affordable and supportive housing units for New York State.

The award will support 20 permanent supportive housing apartments that will be part of the Mount Hope Plaza project at 65 Lake Street in White Plains. This project is being developed by Mount Hope AME Zion Church, which owns the property located next to the church. The project involves the construction of a six-story, 60,000-square-foot building with 56 apartments for low-income seniors, an office for CHI staff, and a large community room that will be used to provide programs for residents. Project architect Warshauer Mellusi Warshauer brings broad experience in the development of affordable housing.

Community Housing Innovations is proud to support a new landmark bill that would legalize accessory dwelling units (ADUs) across the state. The bill, sponsored by New York State Senator Pete Harckham from Westchester County, directs localities to allow accessory apartments, from units over garages to basement apartments. Local governments could choose how they would implement these changes, but could no longer place burdensome requirements on homeowners who want to create them. A similar law has created tens of thousands of such units in California, and similar growth is expected in Westchester and on Long Island. According to the coalition sponsoring the legislation,

CHI Executive Director Alexander Roberts said, "Senator Harckham should be congratulated on crafting a bill that allows safe, regulated accessory dwelling units that could contribute affordable housing, while preserving neighborhood character." The bill is expected to give some relief to a housing crisis that has only worsened due to the pandemic-influenced migration from New York City to the suburbs. Read the press release here.

Thanks to Westchester County Executive George Latimer, CHI was pleased to provide more than $307,000 in assistance to Westchester homeowners through the federal government’s COVID Mortgage Relief Program in December. Meet two of those homeowners in this report from News 12.

Everyone deserves a good home. If you live in Westchester and you're having trouble paying your rent or mortgage, CHI is here to help with these free services.

Foreclosure Counseling – If you’re facing foreclosure, we can help you work with your lender to make your mortgage payments more affordable and keep you and your family in your home. To find out more, please call CHI at (914) 683-1010 ext. 1202, or email CHICounseling@communityhousing.org. 

Eviction Prevention – New to CHI, this program provides financial assistance for those facing eviction or utility shutoff due to the effects of COVID-19. To be eligible, you must qualify as a very-low-income household and be within 21 days of eviction or utility shutoff. The maximum payment is up to 4 months’ of rent or utility payments. To find out if you qualify, visit the Eviction Prevention page on the CHI website.

Paul A. Stermer recently joined CHI as Director of Development and Communications. He'll oversee fundraising and marketing-communications for CHI, including individual giving, foundation, government and corporate support, and special events, as well as print, digital, social, and earned media. He has more than 25 years of experience with a variety of nonprofit organizations in New York and Michigan. A published author and editor, a former journalist, and an avid hiker and gardener, he lives in Orange County with his wife and their two kids.

50 for 50 - A group of generous donors pitched in to help CHI purchase $50 gift cards for 50 teens and moms in our Supportive Housing Program. Special thanks to our friends at Praxis Public Relations and CHI Program Manager Janice Davidson for bringing some holiday cheer to those in need.

Your donation helps us continue to provide housing and human services for neighbors across Long Island, in Westchester, and throughout the Hudson Valley.

90% of CHI's budget is spent on program activities, serving 1,000 clients a day.

Donating real estate to CHI may be easier and more convenient than you think, and is a great way to help your community and enjoy tax benefits.