Source: https://benkallos.com/legislation/introduction-1015-2015-affordable-housing-registration-and-application
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 18:25:26+00:00

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(a) The issuance or renewal of such loan, grant or tax exemption, conveyance of such property or generation of such floor area bonus or effective date of such mandatory inclusionary housing requirement occurs or is executed or renewed, as determined by the department, on or after January 1, 2018.
2. On or after July 1, 2020, such unit is offered by the owner for lease or sale, or shares of a cooperative corporation that would entitle the shareholder to occupancy of such unit under a proprietary lease are offered by the owner for sale.
Department. The term “department” means the department of housing preservation anddevelopment.
Dwelling unit. The term “dwelling unit” means a dwelling unit as defined in the housingmaintenance code.
Housing portal. The term “housing portal” means the website created pursuant to section26-1802.
8. Such other information as the department may specify by rule.
2. Any information described by paragraph 8 of such definition that the department specifies by rule.
10. The contact information of a person that may be contacted for additional information relating to such unit.
Listed unit. The term “listed unit” means a dwelling unit for which full unit information and,where applicable, offered unit information has been provided to the department.
(i) Indicate in such website whether such user is interested in being considered for an affordable unit that subsequently becomes vacant, provided that consideration of users for such units may be carried out in a manner determined by the department, users shall only be considered for such units that satisfy their indicated preferences and such website may require users at regular intervals to review and update their relevant profile information.
2. If the dwelling unit is an affordable unit and is available for rent or sale or if shares of a cooperative corporation are available for sale that would entitle the shareholder to occupancy of such unit under a proprietary lease, provide the department with offered unit information for such unit in a time and manner established by department rule.
c. An owner of a dwelling unit that satisfies the criteria to be deemed an affordable unit except that such unit does not satisfy the additional conditions set forth in paragraphs 1 and 2 of the definition of affordable unit may make such unit that becomes vacant available through the portal, provided that such owner provides the department with offered unit information for such unit in a time and manner established by department rule. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, any such unit that is required to be made available through the portal in accordance with department requirements must do so in accordance with this chapter.
d. The department shall conduct outreach to owners of units described in subdivision c to encourage them to offer their occupied affordable units that subsequently become vacant via the portal.
e. When information entered by a user in the portal indicates that the user has an income below80 percent of area median income for such user’s household size, the department shall notify suchuser with a link to the website for the New York city housing authority.
f. 1. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require the provision to the department or the disclosure of information about any dwelling unit where the department determines that such disclosure could result in an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy of an occupant of or applicant for such unit.
2. The city does not warranty the completeness, accuracy, content or fitness for any particular purpose of any information made available on the housing portal, nor are any such warranties to be implied or inferred with respect to the information furnished therein.
3. The city is not liable for any deficiencies in the completeness, accuracy, content or fitness for any particular purpose or use of information provided by any third party and made available on the housing portal.
4. This chapter shall not be construed to create a private right of action to enforce its provisions. Failure to comply with this chapter shall not result in liability to an agency.
4. For the fourth six month-period and for each month thereafter, $2,000 per month.
b. For a second or subsequent violation of this chapter involving the same dwelling unit, the department may impose and recover a civil penalty that is twice the amount specified in subdivision a, as applicable.
c. The department may recover civil penalties pursuant to this section in an action in a court of appropriate jurisdiction or in a proceeding before the office of administrative trials and hearings acting pursuant to section 1049-a of the New York city charter.
d. Upon receipt of a credible complaint alleging that an owner has violated any provision of this chapter with respect to an affordable unit, the department shall investigate and, upon verifying such allegation in a manner to be determined by department rules, such owner shall be subject to a civil penalty in accordance with this section. The department shall by rule establish criteria for determining whether such a complaint is credible.
§ 26-1203 Conflict with federal or state laws, rules, grants or contracts.
§ 26-1206 Required occupancy of qualifying units.
Affordable housing program. The term “affordable housing program” means a city program, or a federal or state program administered by the city, in which financial assistance, or any additional use or bulk, as such terms are defined in section 12-10 of the New York city zoning resolution, is conditioned upon the provision of affordable units.
Affordable unit. The term “affordable unit” means a dwelling unit for which the rent, sale price or resale price, as applicable, is restricted to make such unit affordable for occupants thereof; provided that such term does not include a dwelling unit that is reserved for occupancy by the superintendent of the building containing such unit.
Covered program. The term “covered program” means an affordable housing program identified as a covered program under section 26-1202.
Department. The term “department” means the department of housing preservation and development and any successor thereto.
Dwelling unit. The term “dwelling unit” means a dwelling unit as defined in the housing maintenance code.
Fair market rent. The term “fair market rent” means the fair market rent established by the United States department of housing and urban development.
Financial assistance. The term “financial assistance” means assistance that is paid for by the city, allocated by the city, or allocated by another individual or entity on the city’s behalf. Financial assistance includes, but is not limited to, cash payments or grants; bond financing; tax abatements or exemptions, including, but not limited to, abatements or exemptions from real property, mortgage recording, or sales and use taxes, and the difference between any payments in lieu of taxes and the amount of real property or other taxes that would have been due if the property were not exempted from the payment of such taxes; tax increment financing; filing fee waivers; energy cost reductions; environmental remediation costs; and write-downs in the market value of building, land, or leases, or the cost of capital improvements undertaken for the benefit of building or land.
Housing portal. The term “housing portal” means the publicly available online listing of dwelling units created under section 26-1203.
Listed unit. The term “listed unit” means a dwelling unit listed on the housing portal.
Qualifying unit. The term “qualifying unit” means an affordable unit used to satisfy an affordable housing program’s requirements for affordable units.
Rent-regulated unit. The term “rent-regulated unit” means a dwelling unit for which the rent is regulated by law or rule or pursuant to an affordable housing program, other than such a unit that is reserved for occupancy by the superintendent of the building containing such unit.
2. A list of each affordable housing program not listed under paragraph one of this section.
b. Three months after the first report filed under subdivision a of this section, the affordable housing programs listed under paragraph one of such subdivision on such report shall be considered the covered programs. Immediately upon provision of each subsequent report, the affordable housing programs listed under paragraph one of such subdivision on such subsequent report shall be considered the covered programs.
c. If a covered program, as a result of changes to a provision of such program, or to a law or rule governing such program, ceases to satisfy the requirements for listing under paragraph one of subdivision a of this section, such program shall immediately cease to be a covered program.
(4) One or more applications concerning such unit have been approved and an offer of occupancy for such unit has or will be made.
4. For each listed unit, a listing of each change in the information posted for such unit since initial posting, including a description of such change and the date of such change.
1. Such portal shall allow a user to create and maintain a password-protected profile containing information concerning the user, including, but not limited to, the user’s name, contact information and relevant qualifications for occupancy of listed units.
2. Such portal shall allow a user to apply for occupancy of each listed unit, or for occupancy within the building or group of buildings containing such unit, for which the user would appear to qualify for occupancy based upon information posted on the housing portal and information entered by the user.
3. For a user who submits at least one application for occupancy of a listed unit, or for occupancy within a building or group of buildings containing a listed unit, such portal shall automatically populate subsequent applications initiated by the user with applicable information from previous applications submitted by the user.
4. Such portal shall allow a user who initiates an application for occupancy of a listed unit, or for occupancy within a building or group of buildings containing a listed unit, to save his or her progress on such application and resume such application at a later time.
(b) Posted information changes for a listed unit specified by such user.
(4) If such application has been preferred for any reason or will otherwise be considered before any other application submitted earlier in time, a notice that the application has been preferred, without specifying the reason for such preference, and a general list of current preference categories applicable to applications for such unit.
7. Such portal shall allow an occupant of a listed unit to request a copy of the rent history for such unit, as reported by the owner to the portal, provided that such rent history shall be sent by mail to the unit address.
8. Such portal shall utilize a web application programming interface that permits application programs to request and receive publicly available data directly from such portal.
d. Upon completing the housing portal, the department shall provide notice that such portal is completed to the mayor and speaker of the council and shall make such notice publicly available on the department’s website.
§ 26-1204 Required posting. a. For each qualifying unit that is in existence on the date which the notice of completion under subdivision d of section 26-1203 is provided, and for each rent-regulated unit that is in existence on such date, the owner thereof and the owner of the building containing such unit, where such information is known to such building owner, shall, in addition to any other advertising for such unit, post on the housing portal the information set forth in subdivision a of section 26-1203, other than the information set forth in subparagraph (h) of paragraph a of such subdivision, for such unit by no later than (A) six months after such date, if such unit is located within a building containing 20 or more dwelling units, (B) one year after such date, if such unit is located within a multiple dwelling, as defined in the housing maintenance code, containing fewer than 20 dwelling units or (C) two years after such date if such unit is located within a building that is not a multiple dwelling, and shall amend such posting upon any change in such information; provided that such information need not be posted for a dwelling unit that is demolished or converted to a use other than residential use on or before the date by which compliance with this subdivision is required or which ceases to be a qualifying unit or rent-regulated unit before such date.
b. For each qualifying unit created after the date by which compliance with subdivision a of this section is required, and for each rent-regulated unit created after such date, the owner thereof shall post on the housing portal the information required by subdivision a of this section for such unit by no later than 30 days after such unit becomes a qualifying unit or rent-regulated unit, as applicable, and shall amend such posting upon any change in such information.
c. Where any of the information required by subdivision a of this section changes, after initial posting, for a listed unit that is a qualifying unit or rent-regulated unit, the owner thereof and the owner of the building containing such unit, where such information is known to such building owner, shall amend the posting on the housing portal for such unit accordingly no later than seven days after such change.
4. For the fourth six-month period, and for each month thereafter, 2,000 dollars per month.
e. Civil penalties under this section may be recovered by the department in an action in any court of appropriate jurisdiction or in a proceeding before the environmental control board. Such board shall have the power to impose civil penalties provided for in this section.
f. The civil penalties set forth in subdivision d of this section shall be indexed to inflation in a manner to be determined by department rules.
g. Any individual who has submitted an application for occupancy of a listed unit, or for occupancy within the building or group of buildings containing such unit, shall have a cause of action against any owner who failed to post information in the time and manner required by subdivision a, b or c of this section and who had not yet corrected such failure at the time such application was submitted, in any court of competent jurisdiction for damages in an amount not to exceed the amounts set forth for civil penalties under subdivision d of this section and for attorneys’ fees and costs, provided such relief is sought within six months after the application’s submission. This subdivision shall not limit the department in recovering civil penalties under subdivision e of this section.
2. Accept, by means of the housing portal, such application within three weeks after receiving notice of such submission or, within the same time period, notify, by means of the housing portal, the applicant of any additional information required before such application can be accepted.
b. An owner who fails to acknowledge, accept or provide notice with respect to an application, as required by subdivision a of this section, shall be subject to a civil penalty as provided under subdivision d of section 26-1204 for each month until such application is acknowledged or accepted or notice is provided with respect to such application, whichever is applicable.
c. The department shall implement measures to periodically determine whether owners are complying with subdivision a of this section including, but not limited to, submitting test applications.
d. Civil penalties under this section may be recovered by the department in an action in any court of appropriate jurisdiction or in a proceeding before the environmental control board. Such board shall have the power to impose civil penalties provided for in this section.
e. Any individual who has submitted an application for occupancy of a listed unit, or for occupancy within the building or group of buildings containing such unit, shall have a cause of action against any owner of such unit, or owner of the building or group of buildings containing such unit, who failed to acknowledge, accept or provide notice with respect to such application, as required by subdivision a of this section, in any court of competent jurisdiction for damages in an amount not to exceed the amounts set forth for civil penalties under subdivision d of this section and for attorneys’ fees and costs. This subdivision shall not limit the department in recovering civil penalties under subdivision d of this section.
3. Offer such unit to such applicant upon finding that such application satisfies all qualifications and other requirements established by law, rule or the provisions of such affordable housing program, or established by such owner, where law, rule or the provisions of such affordable housing program allow the owner to establish such requirements.
3. For the ninth complaint and each subsequent complaint received by the department within a five year period with respect to such unit, and verified, the civil penalty shall be equal to double such fair market rent.
c. Civil penalties under this section may be recovered by the department in an action in any court of appropriate jurisdiction or in a proceeding before the environmental control board. Such board shall have the power to impose civil penalties provided for in this section.
d. Any individual who has submitted an application for occupancy of a listed unit that is a qualifying unit shall have a cause of action against any owner who has violated any provision of subdivision a of this section, in any court of competent jurisdiction for damages in an amount not to exceed the amounts set forth for civil penalties under paragraph (1) of subdivision b of this section and for attorneys’ fees and costs, provided such relief is sought within six months after the application’s submission. This subdivision shall not limit the department in recovering civil penalties under subdivision c of this section.
§ 26-1207 Waivers. a. Upon a showing by an owner of a qualifying unit required to comply with any provision of this chapter that the application of such provision to such unit would violate a federal or state law or rule relating to the affordable housing program for which such unit serves as a qualifying unit, or would be inconsistent with the terms or conditions of a federal or state grant or contract, the department shall waive such provision for such unit to the minimum extent necessary to remedy such violation or inconsistency.
§ 26-1208 Retaliation. a. Terms used in this section shall have the meanings set forth in section 704 of the labor law.
b. An employer shall not take retaliatory personnel action against an employee because such employee discloses, or threatens to disclose, to a supervisor or to a public body an activity, policy or practice of the employer that is in violation of this chapter, or a rule promulgated under this chapter. This protection shall not apply to an employee who makes such disclosure to a public body unless the employee has brought the activity, policy or practice in violation of this chapter, or a rule promulgated under this chapter, to the attention of a supervisor of the employer and has afforded such employer a reasonable opportunity to correct such activity, policy or practice.
c. An employee who has been the subject of a retaliatory personnel action in violation of this section may institute a civil action in a court of appropriate jurisdiction for relief as set forth in subdivision five of section 704 of the labor law within one year after the alleged retaliatory personnel action was taken.
§ 2. This local law takes effect one year after it becomes law, except that the commissioner of housing preservation and development may take such actions as are necessary for the implementation of this local law, including the promulgation of rules, prior to such effective date.

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