For decades, FAC and Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN) have stood on the front lines of the fight for housing justice, community stability, and economic equity in New York City. We know firsthand that homeownership is more than just having a roof over your head—it is the single most powerful tool for local families, particularly in communities of color, to build security and pass down generational wealth.
Yet, for too long, our neighborhoods have been targeted by predatory scammers looking to steal that hard-earned security through the devastating crime of deed theft.
That is why Governor Kathy Hochul’s recent meeting with Brooklyn homeowners hits so close to home. The Governor highlighted a vital $44.5 million commitment to protect New York families: $4.5 million dedicated specifically to enforcement and education to combat deed theft, alongside a critical $40 million for the Homeowner Protection Program (HOPP).
The Reality on the Ground: What This Means for Brooklyn
Deed theft is a predatory crime that disproportionately targets seniors, immigrants, and Black and Brown homeowners. Scammers use forgery, fraud, and manipulation to trick vulnerable neighbors out of the titles to their properties, stripping away millions of dollars in equity and fracturing the fabric of our communities.
At FAC and NHN, we see the ripple effects of these housing scams every day. This new funding package attacks the crisis from two essential angles: enforcement and prevention.
- Empowering the Front Lines: The $40 million secured for HOPP ensures that a statewide network of housing counseling and legal services organizations can continue providing free, high-quality assistance to at-risk homeowners. These are the trusted advocates who help neighbors spot scams early, navigate foreclosure prevention, and fight back against mortgage fraud.
- Stronger Legal Process: Combined with recent legislation championed by the Governor and Attorney General Letitia James, deed theft is now officially classified as a crime under the larceny statute. Furthermore, law enforcement can now pause related legal proceedings (like evictions or foreclosures) while fraud is being actively investigated, giving families a fighting chance to stay in place.
Preserving Generational Wealth and Community Integrity
When a family loses their home to a scammer, Brooklyn loses a piece of its history. As Assemblymember Stefani Zinerman noted during the announcement, this fight is deeply personal for historic neighborhoods like Bedford-Stuyvesant and Crown Heights, where homeownership has sustained families for generations.
By strengthening notary verification rules, introducing Transfer on Death Deeds to safeguard inherited property, and expanding public funding for grassroots education, New York is finally building a comprehensive shield around working-class equity.
We applaud Governor Hochul, Attorney General James, and our local State legislators for securing these critical resources.
Are you a homeowner looking for advice on protecting your property or navigating mortgage challenges? Contact FAC affiliate Neighbors Helping Neighbors housing counselors today to learn more about your rights and the free resources available to you.
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