Bill > A07703

This bill amends the Private Housing Finance Law to provide preferences in affordable home ownership programs for police officers, firefighters, and teachers who work within the same municipality or school district where they live. Specifically, the bill defines these professional categories in detail: a police officer is a sworn officer of a city, town, or village police department; a firefighter is a permanent officer or member of an organized fire department in a city, town, village, or fire district; and a teacher is a currently employed elementary or secondary school educator who has graduated from an accredited college or university and holds a valid state teaching certificate. The bill allows housing development programs to prioritize home ownership for these public service professionals when the home is located within the boundaries of the area where they are employed, with the goal of supporting these essential workers in maintaining proximity to their workplaces. The amendment expands the existing law's criteria for affordable housing, which previously focused primarily on serving low-income households, to now also include these specific professional categories. The bill will take effect 30 days after becoming law.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A7703