Housing discrimination comes in many forms - some that New Yorkers might not know about. On this episode of Renewing New York, host Lauren Stanforth sits down with Nadya Salcedo, Director of HCR’s Fair and Equitable Housing Office (FEHO), and Jennai Gaskin, FEHO Deputy Director, to break down what fair housing protections cover in New York State — from the well-known categories like race and disability to lesser-known ones like lawful source of income, immigration status, and domestic violence survivor status.

They dig into tactics like “ghosting” and “frosting,” steering, discriminatory ads, and mortgage discrimination — plus what HCR’s office does behind the scenes: reviewing fair housing marketing plans, funding local testing organizations, and pushing accessibility standards beyond the legal minimum on every project the agency finances.

Also covered: HCR’s new statewide Housing Search NY platform, the Housing Choice Voucher mobility program, and the agency’s upcoming Five-Year Fair Housing Assessment. Think you’ve experienced housing discrimination? File a complaint with the NYS Division of Human Rights or your local Human Rights Commission.

🔗 Search affordable housing: HousingSearchNY.gov 🔗 Learn more about FEHO: Fair and Equitable Housing Office | Homes and Community Renewal.

On this episode of Renewing New York, host Lauren Stanforth sits down with Lenny Skrill, HCR’s Upstate West Director of Development, and Anne McCaffrey, President & CEO of People Inc., to talk about the nearly 12,000 affordable homes created or preserved across Western New York under Governor Hochul.

From the redevelopment of Folwell Apartments on the old Children’s Hospital campus to a new 93-unit community in Williamsville, hear how HCR and its partners are turning underused buildings into safe, stable homes — and how faith-based partners across Buffalo’s East Side have become key players in getting projects built.

HCR’s Sustainability Unit reviews subsidized projects to make sure building design and materials are keeping residents safe and comfortable, while lowering energy consumption and costs. Meanwhile, innovative programs subsidize the latest in energy-efficient practices that reduce carbon emissions and make projects financially viable for the long run.

We sit down with Samantha Pearce from HCR's Sustainability Unit to explore how New York State is building a greener, more energy-efficient affordable housing stock — from passive house design to the Green Affordable Pre-Electrification (GAP) program.

A closer look at SONYMA, the State of New York Mortgage Agency, which makes it possible for first-time homebuyers, veterans and other groups to purchase a home. And SONYMA has more programs, like down payment assistance, that can make home buying even more of a reality for incomes across the spectrum.

If you've ever wondered whether homeownership is within reach, this one's for you.

#HCRPodcast #SONYMA #FirstTimeHomebuyer #AffordableHomeownership #NYHousing.

A Closer Look At State of NY Mortgage Agency

The Tenant Protection Unit under New York State Homes and Community Renewal investigates and enforces violations of tenants’ rights under New York’s rent regulation laws. From reaching settlements with building owners who bill illegal overcharges, to helping individual renters with problems such as a landlord not providing a lease, TPU is fighting for residents’ rights every day.