Housing
Congresswoman Velázquez is dedicated to ensuring that New York City residents have housing options that are both affordable and accessible. Renters and home owners in the 7th Congressional District face critical housing needs, with most paying more than half their income in rent or mortgage payments and many living in unacceptable conditions.
The Congresswoman is a strong advocate for public housing residents and has taken steps to preserve and revitalize government-owned housing properties. To address the shortage of affordable housing, she supports efforts that combine housing market-driven solutions, federal support, and state and local initiatives.
Knowing that good ideas are abundant in her community, NYC housing experts and grassroots housing activists are consulted to help formulate solutions for the city’s unique housing problems. Comprehensive efforts are needed today to ensure that the nation’s housing market regains its footing, and the American dream of homeownership remains an achievable goal.
More on Housing
WASHINGTON — Today, the House of Representatives voted on final passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, sending the most significant federal housing legislation in a generation to the President's desk. The final bill includes provisions authored by Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) to expand access to affordable housing through cooperative ownership models and tighten congressional oversight of public housing authorities operating under federal monitorship.
Brooklyn, NY — Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) presented a check for $2,000,000 in Community Project Funding to the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) for the installation of exterior security lighting at Borinquen Plaza II in Williamsburg. The funding, which Velázquez secured in the FY2026 federal spending bills, will address longstanding safety and security concerns for residents, as well as community members in surrounding areas who regularly pass through the development.
Queens, NY — Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) presented a check for $3,150,000 in Community Project Funding to the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) for the installation of exterior security lighting at Ravenswood Houses in Queens. The funding, which Velázquez secured in the FY2026 federal spending bills, will support lighting upgrades to address longstanding safety and environmental health concerns raised by residents.
WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following statement in response to the Department of Housing and Urban Development's proposed rule to end federal housing assistance for mixed-status families:
WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) secured key provisions in H.R. 6644 the Housing for the 21st Century Act to expand access to affordable housing through cooperative ownership models while strengthening Congressional oversight to protect tenants in federally monitored public housing authorities.
WASHINGTON– Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) introduced the Landlord Accountability Act of 2025, which aims to protect tenants, particularly those in the Section 8 program, from abuses by dishonest landlords.
Washington D.C.— Today, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following statement after the Southern District of New York announced bribery and extortion charges against 70 current and former employees of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA):
NEW YORK— Today, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-7), Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (NY-9), Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10), Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-6), Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), and Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15) wrote to Governor Kathy Hochul, Majority-Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and Speaker Carl Heastie to call for the inclusion of emergency rental assistance funding in New York State’s final budget for FY 2024.
Washington, DC –Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) introduced the Landlord Accountability Act of 2023, which aims to protect tenants, particularly those in the Section 8 program, from abuses by dishonest landlords.
Washington, DC –Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and 27 additional bicameral Members of Congress have sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia Fudge to urge the reestablishment of Federal Financing Bank (FFB) funding for HUD-insured multifamily risk sharing mortgages. The program was a successful partnership between the Treasury Department, HUD, and state and local Housing Finance Agencies (HFAs) around the country.