Habitat for Humanity New York City and Westchester County, founded in 1984, builds for-sale affordable homes in one of the country's most expensive markets, often as condos and co-ops. Buyers are selected through the New York City housing lottery. Here is how the program and qualifications work, plus its repair work, ReStore, and ways to help.
In New York City, Habitat builds for-sale homes that are often condominiums or housing cooperatives rather than single-family houses, funded through sponsorships, donations, volunteer labor, government grants, and an affordable mortgage. The organization expanded into Westchester County and took the name Habitat for Humanity NYC and Westchester County in 2021.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Income | Generally 50% to 80% of Area Median Income, varying by development; some materials cite up to 90%, so confirm the band for each lottery. |
| First-time buyer | Required, as defined by HUD. |
| Credit | No accounts in collection, no charge-offs, and no bankruptcy in the last three years. |
| Ability to pay | Stable employment, a monthly savings habit, and housing costs no more than 33% of gross monthly income. |
| Sweat equity | 200 sweat equity credit hours per household, completed before move-in. |
| Selection | Buyers are chosen through the New York City housing lottery, a random process tied to specific developments. |
Because selection runs through the city lottery, there is not always an open application; interested buyers submit an inquiry to be notified when a development opens.
Applications are tied to specific developments and run through the New York City housing lottery on the NYC Housing Connect portal, with random selection. When no development is accepting applications, you can submit an inquiry form to be notified.
Once selected, the path runs through a partnership agreement, earning sweat equity, and financial education before purchasing the home with an affordable mortgage.
The organization runs one ReStore, at 470 Nepperhan Ave in Yonkers, selling donated furniture and household goods, with an online store as well. A former Queens ReStore closed in 2025, so Yonkers is the current location.
Beyond building, it preserves existing affordable housing through repairs, technical help, and co-op support, and it runs an Aging in Place program of home assessments and modifications for older homeowners, currently in Westchester County. It also advocates on affordable-housing policy and offers financial education.
Volunteers can work on build sites, repair sites, or the ReStore at 16 or older, with a parental waiver for minors. Signing up runs through the volunteer hub, with pathways for individuals, corporate and faith groups, and young professionals.
Habitat NYC traces its roots to a Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project on the Lower East Side. It files a full Form 990 and keeps a Candid transparency profile. Its EIN for tax-deductible gifts is 11-2857055.
Affordable condos and co-ops sold through the NYC housing lottery.
Repairs, technical help, and co-op support for existing housing.
Home assessments and modifications for older homeowners in Westchester.
A Yonkers store and online shop selling donated goods.
Mobilizing New Yorkers around affordable-housing policy.
Homeownership and financial education classes.
Sources: Habitat for Humanity NYC and Westchester (habitatnycwc.org) home-purchase, preservation, aging-in-place, and ReStore pages; Charity Navigator and Candid (EIN 11-2857055). The 2021 change was an expansion and rename. Figures vary across pages and are given as ranges. Retrieved June 2026. We are not affiliated with Habitat for Humanity NYC and Westchester County and receive no compensation for this listing. Spotted an error? [email protected]
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