Homeowner Stability Project

Homeowner Stability Project
To get help from the Homeowner Stability Project, call 212-382-6766 or email HSP@nycbar.org.
Overview
The City Bar Justice Center’s Homeowner Stability Project (HSP) provides legal assistance to New York City homeowners of low to moderate income threatened with the loss of their 1-4 family homes, coops and condos, including through mortgage foreclosure, payment arrears, transferring title when a family member passes, scams and other predatory practices. Our goal is to keep people in their homes whenever possible and assist in the transition to affordable housing when home retention is not the best or a viable option. We recruit and train volunteer lawyers to negotiate workout arrangements with lenders, attend settlement conferences, correct title and deed problems, and litigate when necessary.
The Homeowner Stability Project has trained over 500 volunteer attorneys since its inception and has assisted over 2,000 homeowners in various stages of foreclosure and other potential home loss. In helping to stabilize homeownership, HSP not only provides valuable services to individual homeowners but helps sustain some of New York City’s most storied neighborhoods from the economic fallout caused by foreclosure and gentrification.
Scott Kohanowski directs the Homeowner Stability Project and Kayla Freeman is the project coordinator.
Background
When the foreclosure crisis hit NYC in 2008, the City Bar Justice Center, together with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, rose to the challenge by forming the Lawyers’ Foreclosure Intervention Network (LFIN). With funding from IOLA, the New York State Attorney General and the Center for New York City Neighborhoods, LFIN expanded into the Homeowner Stability Project to not only address foreclosure but also other issues and trends as we encounter them. A significant new aspect of HSP is to untangle title and assist in the transfer of title following the death of a loved one to ensure a smooth transition and stable homeownership for the next generation.
Not sure if this is the right project? Contact our free Legal Hotline at 212-626-7383.
Resources
Listen to the Budgeting for NYC Homeowners Podcast
LGBT Senior Homeowners: What You Should Know About Reverse Mortgages
For additional information on free services to prevent foreclosure, call 311 and ask for the Center for New York City Neighborhoods, or visit http://www.cnycn.org.
Latest news
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April 19, 2023
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On Tuesday, April 4, 2023, the City Bar Justice Center held its 18th Annual Gala, “The Power of Pro Bono,” at t
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March 16, 2023
City Bar Justice Center to Honor BNY Mellon and Mayer Brown with 2023 City Bar Justice Awards for Pro Bono Service
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January 26, 2023
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Our Neighborhood Entrepreneur Law Project successfully launched an initiative to advise micro-entrepreneurs on New
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Upcoming events
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Fresh Start Financial Education: Gaining a Fresh Start After Bankruptcy
The Consumer Bankruptcy Project will hold a free virtual webinar covering topics such as updating your credit report, tips on rebuilding credit, and consumer rights. Please register here.
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Educación Financiera de Nuevo Comienzo: Obtener un Nuevo Comienzo Después de la Bancarrota
El Proyecto de Bancarrota del Consumidor llevará a cabo un seminario web virtual gratuito que cubrirá temas como la actualización de su informe de crédito, consejos sobre cómo reconstruir el crédito y los derechos del consumidor. Por favor regístrese aquí.