N.Y. Private Housing Finance Law § 65-a: Permanent housing projects for homeless families

§ 65-a. Permanent housing projects for homeless families. 1. Site

identification; initial project description. For each proposed permanent

housing project for homeless families, the city will identify a site or

sites for development of permanent housing for homeless families. If the

site or sites are proposed to the board for rehabilitation, any building

or buildings on the site must be vacant. Prior to any action by the

board, the city must submit to the board an initial project description

which sets forth, to the extent known, (a) a detailed physical

description of the property and the number of eligible homeless families

estimated to be served by the project; (b) the tenant population that

will be served by the project and how the project will address the needs

of these tenants; (c) a description of other funding sources that will

be used to develop the project, if any; (d) the category of permanent

housing proposed to be established; (e) a plan which provides that the

units for eligible homeless families provided under this article will to

the maximum extent practicable be occupied by eligible homeless families

referred from hotels, motels or shelters that are regulated by title

eighteen of the official compilation of codes, rules and regulations of

the state of New York; (f) where relevant, information stating whether

the city intends to convey the project to a not-for-profit corporation

or housing development fund company, and, unless stated otherwise, it

will be assumed that the city will hold title to the project once

completed; (g) a proposed development timetable; (h) the names,

addresses and business background of the principals involved, the nature

of their fiduciary relationship and their financial relationship, past,

present and future, to the project and to each other; (i) information

regarding the operation of such project and the affordability of such

project for eligible homeless families; and (j) such other information

as the board may require. The board will also require in the project

description that the costs associated with the construction or

rehabilitation of those portions of projects that are not designed for

occupancy by eligible homeless families are paid for by other funding

programs or sources, and that completed projects must meet all

applicable city or state codes governing such construction or

rehabilitation. With the approval of the city, a not-for-profit

corporation, housing development fund company or a person, firm or

corporation that will agree to limit its profits or rate of return of

investors in accordance with a formula established or approved by the

agency, may submit to the board one or more sites along with a project

description in the form prescribed above.

2. After receipt of the initial project description described above,

the board will review each proposed site and identify those sites that

the board finds suitable for construction or rehabilitation for

permanent housing for eligible homeless families. No site may be

considered by the board unless the project proposed for the site will

carry out the objectives of the homeless families plan most recently

submitted to the council of the city by the New York city human

resources administration. In its review, the board will give preference

to those projects that will result in the lowest costs per unit, can be

completed in the least amount of time, serve the greatest need for such

housing and also provide housing for occupants who are not eligible

homeless families.

3. After it has completed its review, the board shall advise the mayor

of the city of its recommendations concerning the suitability of

proposed sites for development as permanent housing for the homeless. No

project shall be undertaken by the agency pursuant to this article

unless the project site has been approved by the advisory board.