Recently, it has become clear that New York’s housing construction has failed to keep pace with the city’s population growth. This has led to rising prices and fears that there is no place for low- and middle-income buyers in New York.
These buyers should not skulk to the suburbs in despair, but look to Housing Development Fund Corporation (HDFC) units. These apartments also offer jaw-dropping prices, but from the other extreme. The program dates back to the late 1970s, when the city created a program that allowed low-income residents to buy their units for as little as $250. More recently, community development non-profit LISE NYC closed on three West Harlem buildings that it plans to renovate, convert to HDFC co-ops, and sell to existing tenants for $2,500. (Vacant units will be available through the city's affordable lottery system.)
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It should be noted that to keep HDFC listings affordable, strict income caps are in place that buyers should be prepared to abide by. Moreover, in spite of the low sticker prices, buyers should be prepared to make a hefty down payment. As a result, a 2021 Bloomberg article observes that a number of HDFC units are being sold to young people whose incomes fall within the parameters but who have wealthy parents to help with the down payments, which couldn't be farther from what the program intended.
What is an HDFC Co-op?
HDFC units were created several decades ago as a way for tenants in poorly managed buildings to take control of the property and form cooperatives. The city sold these apartments to residents for a mere $250 a piece. Obviously they no longer trade for that price, but they do often sell for far less than what a comparable market rate unit in the same neighborhood would.Learn More About HDFC Co-ops Here→
Recent HDFC co-op listings
702 East 5th Street, #5E (Compass)
229 East 4th Street, #3 (Corcoran Group)
350 West 48th Street, #4E (Sothebys International Realty)
The St Elmo, #2NE (The Agency Brokerage)
1400 on Fifth, #4G (Elegran LLC)
131 Bedford Avenue, #3 (Brick Real Estate LLC)
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The Turin House, #14C (Compass)
620 East 9th Street, #4W (Compass)
175 Claremont Avenue, #61 (Corcoran Group)
27 West 84th Street, #2FW (Serhant)
The Washington, #4I (Weichert Properties)
302 Convent Avenue, #62 (Corcoran Group)
237 Hancock Street, #11 (Compass)
550 Fort Washington Avenue, #2B
$399,000 (-3.9%)
Washington Heights | Cooperative | 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath | 800 ft2
550 Fort Washington Avenue, #2B (Compass)
The Monte Cristo, #2A (Compass)
The Lenox Court, #33 (Compass)
353 West 47th Street, #3FW (Sothebys International Realty)
544 West 157th Street, #75 (Compass)
5 East 131st Street, #A3 (Compass)
The Kaaterskill-South, #6E (Compass)
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
Just complete the info below.
Or call us at (212) 755-5544
Would you like to tour any of these properties?
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