Debbra McAllister has been named a vice president of the nonprofit NYC Housing Partnership Development Corporation. She joins the Housing Partnership from the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (NYCDCAS) where she served as Director of Acquisitions.
“Debbra McAllister brings to the Housing Partnership extensive experience and proven skills that will help us expand our role as a trusted participant in public-private partnerships with strong working relationships with city, state, and federal housing agencies, and the demonstrated ability to shepherd affordable housing projects to closing and beyond,” said Jamie A. Smarr, President and CEO of the Housing Partnership.
During 18 years at NYCDCAS Ms. McAllister completed over $200 million in real property acquisitions transactions and negotiated a half million square feet of commercial leases on behalf of City agencies.
Prior to NYCDCAS Ms. McAllister served in the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) from 1987 through 2005, including the position of Director of Special Incentive Programs, administering affordable housing programs including the 421-a Affordable Housing Program and the Inclusionary Housing Program. In that role she managed the development of over 100 affordable housing projects which created thousands of units of affordable housing in NYC.
Ms. McAllister holds a Master of Public Administration Degree from Long Island University and a Bachelor of Science--Finance Degree from St. John’s University.
“The NYC Housing Partnership celebrated its 40th anniversary last year,” said Mr. Smarr. “As a leading facilitator of affordable housing in the five boroughs of New York City, we play a key role in the development and preservation of over 72,000 units of affordable housing, providing tens of thousands of New York families with comfortable and safe affordable homes,” he said.
For over four decades the nonprofit Housing Partnership has led relationships among private sector developers and financial institutions and City, State and Federal agencies that created and preserved more than 72,000 low and moderate-income housing units in the five boroughs, leveraging over $7.6 billion in private financing and utilizing more than $540 million in subsidies for affordable housing. This stimulates economic activity that strengthens the social fabric of neighborhoods where people can now live in safe, comfortable, affordable homes.
Adolfo Carrion, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, will present The Bluestone Organization, The Briarwood Organization and The Procida Companies with the Founder Awards at the non-profit NYC Housing Partnership’s Wine and Jazz Event on Thursday, November 2nd. These firms will be recognized for their work with the Housing Partnership during its entire 40-year history.
“As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, we are grateful to honor three firms and their tremendous civic contribution creating affordable housing opportunities and stable neighborhoods to New Yorker” said Jamie A. Smarr, Housing Partnership President and CEO. “Their collective developments represent over 14,000 affordable rental and homeownership units built in every corner of New York City.”
“The Bluestone Organization, The Briarwood Organization and The Procida Companies have joined with the Housing Partnership since it began in 1983, and 40 years later they continue to partner on affordable housing projects that are underway today,” said Mr. Smarr.
The Housing Partnership’s Wine and Jazz Event will be attended by stakeholders in the City’s affordable housing community, including developers, architects, attorneys, lenders, faith leaders and affordable housing advocates. It takes place Thursday, November 2nd from 6pm to 8:30pm at the Refinery Rooftop at 63 West 38th Street in Manhattan.
“Our November 2 event will raise funds for the Housing Partnership’s affordable housing, homeownership, education and housing counseling programs, which have all been a cornerstone of our service to New York since 1983. We look forward to future decades of strengthening New York neighborhoods and families by helping to provide safe and affordable housing opportunities.” said Mr. Smarr
The Housing Partnership is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that serves as an intermediary among public agencies, developers, financial institutions and residents to increase opportunities for quality affordable housing to low- and moderate-income households in New York City.
For four decades the nonprofit Housing Partnership has led relationships among private sector developers and financial institutions and City, State and Federal agencies that created and preserved more than 72,400 low and moderate-income housing units in the five boroughs, leveraging over $7.6 billion in private financing and utilized more than $540 million in subsidies for affordable housing. This stimulates economic activity that strengthens the social fabric of neighborhoods where people can now live in safe, comfortable, affordable homes.
Adolfo Carrion, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, will present The Bluestone Organization, The Briarwood Organization and The Procida Companies with the Founder Awards at the non-profit NYC Housing Partnership’s Wine and Jazz Event on Thursday, November 2nd. These firms will be recognized for their work with the Housing Partnership during its entire 40-year history.
“As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, we are grateful to honor three firms and their tremendous civic contribution creating affordable housing opportunities and stable neighborhoods to New Yorker” said Jamie A. Smarr, Housing Partnership President and CEO. “Their collective developments represent over 14,000 affordable rental and homeownership units built in every corner of New York City.”
“The Bluestone Organization, The Briarwood Organization and The Procida Companies have joined with the Housing Partnership since it began in 1983, and 40 years later they continue to partner on affordable housing projects that are underway today,” said Mr. Smarr.
The Housing Partnership’s Wine and Jazz Event will be attended by stakeholders in the City’s affordable housing community, including developers, architects, attorneys, lenders, faith leaders and affordable housing advocates. It takes place Thursday, November 2nd from 6pm to 8:30pm at the Refinery Rooftop at 63 West 38th Street in Manhattan.
“Our November 2 event will raise funds for the Housing Partnership’s affordable housing, homeownership, education and housing counseling programs, which have all been a cornerstone of our service to New York since 1983. We look forward to future decades of strengthening New York neighborhoods and families by helping to provide safe and affordable housing opportunities.” said Mr. Smarr
The Housing Partnership is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that serves as an intermediary among public agencies, developers, financial institutions and residents to increase opportunities for quality affordable housing to low- and moderate-income households in New York City.
For four decades the nonprofit Housing Partnership has led relationships among private sector developers and financial institutions and City, State and Federal agencies that created and preserved more than 72,400 low and moderate-income housing units in the five boroughs, leveraging over $7.6 billion in private financing and utilized more than $540 million in subsidies for affordable housing. This stimulates economic activity that strengthens the social fabric of neighborhoods where people can now live in safe, comfortable, affordable homes.
New Yorkers are gaining the information and skills needed to fulfill the dream of buying their first home through a HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Program offered by the non-profit NYC Housing Partnership.
“More than half of those who completed our program last year bought their own home--nearly 350 new homeowners,” said Emily McIntosh, Director of Homeownership Education at the Housing Partnership.
Successful completion the Housing Partnership’s HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Program is among the requirements to qualify for an array of down payment and closing cost assistance programs.
“One of the most advantageous down payment assistance programs available to first-time homebuyers purchasing in New York City is NYC HPD’s HomeFirst Down Payment Assistance Program. It provides qualified homebuyers with up to $100,000 towards the down payment and/or closing costs on a 1-4 family home, a condominium or a cooperative in one of the five boroughs of New York City,” said Ms. McIntosh.
“In 2022, Housing Partnership’s Housing Counseling Program leveraged approximately
$3.6 million in total combined grants and assistance programs for first-time homebuyers,” she said.
Almost all purchased single-family homes, condominiums or cooperative apartments. Nearly two-thirds of the homes bought are in the five boroughs of NYC, with the others in New Jersey and on Long Island.
“Buying a home is a big step – and choosing the right one is one of the biggest decisions first-time homebuyers will ever make. First-time homebuyers must prepare themselves with the information needed to enable them to make the right home purchase decisions. The Housing Partnership’s Housing Counseling Programs provide all the necessary tools for first-time homebuyers to successfully navigate the complex home purchase process,” said Ms. McIntosh.
“Our flagship U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Approved First-Time Home Buyer Education program provides an objective comprehensive overview of the home purchase process to help create knowledgeable and default-resilient buyers ready for a lifetime of homeownership,” she said.
Topics covered include the importance of credit, determining “how much house you can afford,” the mortgage process, shopping for a home with a real estate broker, role of an attorney, importance of home inspections and insurance, and available down payment and closing cost assistance programs.
“Upon successful course completion, prospective first-time homebuyers receive individualized one-on-one pre-purchase counseling by HUD Certified Housing Counselors that includes a mortgage readiness assessment, credit report and score analysis, creation of an affordable budget, individualized action plan with set short-mid-and-long term goals, referrals, and eligibility determination for available grant and assistance programs,” said Ms. McIntosh.
Thousands of individuals and families have completed the Housing Partnership’s Housing Counseling Program since its inception and qualified for the HomeFirst Down Payment Assistance Program,” she said.
The average purchase price was $478,000 and the average mortgage loan amount financed was $355,000, predominantly with 30-year fixed rate mortgages.
“Women comprise 53% of those enrolled in our first-time home buyer program participants, and 12% of all program participants are female heads of households,” Ms. McIntosh said. Over 70% of program participants are individuals of color.
New Yorkers are attracted to Housing Partnership’s program by word of mouth from current and past clients, direct referrals from real estate brokers and attorneys, along with faith-based and housing related organizations, according to Ms. McIntosh.
“Prospective homebuyers can learn valuable information from experts at the Housing Partnership’s Affordable Housing Expo on Saturday, June 10, free and open to the general public from 10:00am to 3:00pm at the CUNY Graduate Center at 365 Fifth Avenue at 34th Street in Manhattan,” said Ms. McIntosh. To register go to HousingPartnership.com/Expo23. Space is limited.
“At the Affordable Housing Expo on June 10 industry experts in lending, legal and real estate will provide first-time homebuyers with market insights, tips and tricks of the trade to successfully navigate the housing market and home buying process,” said Ms. McIntosh.
For four decades the nonprofit NYC Housing Partnership has led relationships among private sector developers and financial institutions and City, State and Federal agencies that created and preserved more than 70,000 low and moderate-income housing units in the five boroughs, leveraging over $7 billion in private financing and utilized more than $500 million in subsidies for affordable housing. This stimulates economic activity that strengthens the social fabric of neighborhoods where people can now live in safe, comfortable, affordable homes.
