Courtesy BPHA Caucus
A coalition of lawmakers, advocates, and homeowners gathered in Southeast Queens on October 30 to push for the permanent establishment of the Homeowner Protection Program (HOPP) in New York.
By MOHAMED FARGHALY
mfarghaly@queensledger.com
A coalition of lawmakers, advocates, and affected homeowners gathered on Oct 30 in Southeast Queens to urge the New York State government to make the Homeowner Protection Program (HOPP) a permanent fixture in the state’s housing support framework.
Attorney General Letitia James was joined by members of the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus, along with legal service providers and homeownership counselors, to emphasize the program’s critical importance in aiding vulnerable families facing housing crises.
Since its inception, HOPP has served as a vital resource for New Yorkers, providing free legal assistance to those grappling with foreclosure, predatory lending, housing discrimination, and real estate scams. The program also offers essential services such as homeowner retention counseling and loan modification assistance. According to James, HOPP has helped over 170,000 New Yorkers navigate these challenges, making it a crucial component of the state’s response to the ongoing housing crisis.
“As New Yorkers confront a housing crisis across the state, trusted support to help keep vulnerable people in their homes is more important than ever,” James said. “For over a decade, my office has helped the Homeowner Protection Program (HOPP) provide free legal services to over 170,000 New Yorkers in every county of the state. HOPP’s partner organizations help stop foreclosures, lower homeowners’ bills, and prevent frauds like deed theft. I thank Senator Kavanagh, Assemblymember Solages, and the members of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus for their leadership in this effort to codify HOPP into law.”
The impact of the foreclosure crisis has been particularly pronounced in Southeast Queens, which suffered heavily during the 2008 housing market crash. In 2009 alone, more than 2,000 homes in the area were foreclosed. Today, Southeast Queens still experiences some of the highest foreclosure rates in the United States, making the need for HOPP’s services even more pressing.
To address this issue, the New York state budget allocated $40 million to HOPP for FY 2024-2025. However, this funding is seen as a short-term solution. New legislation, sponsored by Assemblymember Michaelle Solages and Senator Brian Kavanagh, seeks to make HOPP a permanent program, thereby securing ongoing funding for the future. The bill passed both the Assembly and Senate in June, and advocates are now calling on Governor Kathy Hochul to sign it into law.
“The Homeowner Protection Program has provided vital assistance to homeowners across the state, allowing families to stay in their homes and hold onto their most valuable asset,” Solages said. “Making HOPP permanent would allow these funds to be appropriated each year, giving homeowners, legal service organizations, and homeowner retention counselors the stability necessary to access and provide these services free of charge. Our most vulnerable New Yorkers, including the thousands of families in Southeast Queens who were hit hard by the foreclosure crisis, deserve a safety net that allows them to achieve and hold onto the dream of homeownership. I thank Attorney General James, Senator Kavanagh, my colleagues in the Caucus, and all the HOPP service providers for supporting this critical program and for standing up for homeowners in New York.”
Assemblymember Khaleel M. Anderson emphasized the broader implications of HOPP’s permanence.
“By making the Homeowner Protection Program (HOPP) a permanent part of New York’s housing support, we’re not just preserving homes—we’re safeguarding the stability of communities, especially in Southeast Queens and across Black and Brown neighborhoods. HOPP will empower our homeowners in Springfield Gardens, Queens, and families across Assembly District 31, who face among the highest rates of foreclosure in the county,” said Anderson. “Every dollar invested in HOPP saves New York fivefold in community costs, ensuring families understand and protect their rights to get the legal and financial support they need to stay home. Governor Hochul must sign this bill as an urgent step toward justice, economic strength, and securing futures for thousands of families.”
Courtesy BPHA Caucus
Attorney General Letitia James emphasized HOPP’s critical role in providing free legal assistance to families facing foreclosure and other housing crises, having already helped over 170,000 New Yorkers.
Supporters at the press conference included various legal and housing advocacy organizations. Jacob Inwald, Director of Litigation-Economic Justice at Legal Services NYC, described HOPP as “New York’s most effective tool for preserving existing affordable homeownership.” He underscored the importance of funding for legal advocates who help prevent vulnerable homeowners from falling victim to scams, particularly in communities of color historically excluded from homeownership opportunities.
“HOPP is New York’s most effective tool for preserving existing affordable homeownership, and is its only tool for preventing deed theft and other scams targeting vulnerable homeowners at risk of mortgage and property tax foreclosure—primarily in communities of color that were historically excluded from homeownership by redlining,” Inwald said. “While recently enacted improvements to the law provide some new protections to those who have already been victimized by deed theft scammers, to prevent these scams in the first place funding the network of trusted advocates is crucial. That network ensures that struggling homeowners do not fall prey to scammers and it provides trusted, free services that lead to home-saving solutions that preserve affordable homeownership and intergenerational wealth, averts displacement, and fosters neighborhood stability.”
Lori Miller, Executive Director of Neighborhood Housing Services of Jamaica, echoed the urgency for permanent HOPP funding, highlighting its role in stabilizing not only individual families but entire neighborhoods.
“HOPP Program funding for foreclosure prevention counseling has been an invaluable resource to housing counseling and legal services agencies like Neighborhood Housing Services of Jamaica, enabling us to provide foreclosure mitigation services to distressed homeowners,” Miller said. “Communities of color are often at a disadvantage when it comes to financial resources, which contributes to the homeownership gap. Foreclosure has a destabilizing effect on not only the family who loses their home, but the neighborhood as well. Studies have shown that homeowners who received foreclosure mitigation counseling are more likely to obtain a mortgage modification and remain current on their mortgage after receiving one. Expanding and establishing permanent funding for housing counseling and education programs can help address this gap by not only stabilizing homeowners who would have otherwise lost their homes but also by providing program participants with the opportunity to develop the skills needed to secure financial stability and homeownership.”
Courtesy BPHA Caucus
Advocates are now urging Governor Kathy Hochul to sign legislation that would secure ongoing funding for HOPP, ensuring continued support for vulnerable communities.
As the press conference concluded, speakers collectively urged Governor Hochul to act swiftly in signing the legislation, reinforcing the necessity of HOPP for New Yorkers facing housing challenges. The call for permanent funding is not just about maintaining a program; it is about preserving the hope of homeownership for countless families across the state.
With the stakes so high and the need for supportive resources growing, advocates remain resolute in their commitment to ensuring that the Homeowner Protection Program becomes a permanent safety net for New York’s most vulnerable homeowners.
