NYSAR, Housing Opportunities Foundation, Inc.

You can make a difference.

The New York State Association of REALTORS® and the NYSAR Housing Opportunities Foundation are committed to assisting New Yorkers in achieving the American Dream of becoming homeowners.

Every day, New York REALTORS® assist families and individuals in becoming homeowners. Yet, we know that many are left behind. The NYSAR Housing Opportunities Foundation was created to help these families and individuals in overcoming the obstacles to homeownership as well as to promote safe, decent and affordable housing for all in New York State.

Fundraisers

The Housing Opportunities Foundation hosted a virtual “Wheel of Fortune and Wine” event held in conjunction with the NYSAR Mid-Winter Business Meetings. A special thank you to Tim and Laurel Sweeney of Stone Ridge Wine & Spirits presented “Everything You Wanted to Know About Wine but Were Afraid to Ask”. Following the presentation, participants played Wheel of Fortune with many great prizes! The Foundation raised nearly $5,500 – all contributions go directly to the First-time Homebuyer Grant Program.

 

Now Accepting Sponsors

Join us in making a difference! Support our mission by becoming a sponsor today. Your contribution helps more New Yorkers achieve the dream of homeownership.

Sponsorship Form

Donors

  • Dan Staley
  • Ryan Mitchell
  • Lisa Lilley
  • Donna Littlefield
  • Diana Alfaro
  • Nina Amadon
  • Matthew Arnold
  • Dorothy Aschkar
  • Roberta Bangs
  • George Bergleitner
  • Tracy Bernard
  • Gina Marie Bettenhauser
  • Lanie Bittner
  • Sandy Blonsky
  • Michael Bordinger Lutz
  • Dorothy Botsoe
  • Melissa Brandt
  • Cheryl Brundage
  • Debra Budetti
  • Lydia Bueso Roman
  • Kim Bullard
  • Andrew Burke
  • Judy Cangemi
  • Leah Caro
  • Debra Chiappetta
  • Debora Clark
  • Marcia Clarke
  • Michael Coughlin
  • Michael Coughlin
  • Sal Crifasi
  • Kathleen Crissy
  • Tony D'Anzica
  • Jeff Decatur
  • Tracey Dedee
  • Christine DelVecchio
  • Julie Derrigo
  • Carol DiSanto
  • Mark Donnelly
  • Renee Dorsa
  • Susana Dumas
  • Liz English
  • Evelyn Fasulo
  • Drew Fishman
  • Kattie Flanagin
  • Kattie Flanagin
  • Dan Gallagher
  • Robert Galliher
  • Joseph Gehl
  • Debbie Gilson
  • Irene Guanil
  • Max Gurvitch
  • Vienna Haak
  • Rich Haggerty
  • Hind Hatoum
  • Susan Helsinger
  • Sarah Hughes
  • Michael Johnson
  • Pamela Jones
  • Katie Kao
  • Lucille Kassian
  • Barry Kramer
  • Angela Lanuto
  • Cindy Lazzaro
  • Christina Leigh-Stevens
  • Jonathan Lerche
  • Kevin Loiacono
  • Eliot Lonardo
  • Elizabeth Lowe
  • Natalie Martin
  • Terry Martina
  • Harding Mason
  • Brittany Matott
  • Tom McCarthy
  • Colin McCarthy
  • Lisa McKenna
  • Felton McLaughlin
  • Michael Mendicino
  • Todd Miranda
  • Virginia O'Brien
  • Laurie Omans
  • David Paciello
  • Linda Page
  • Linda Page
  • Altagracia Patalano
  • Kelly Patrone
  • Alfred Peavy
  • Karen Peebles
  • Dennis Pezzimenti
  • Nancy Quigg
  • Philip Raices
  • Kalen Raynor
  • Mark Re
  • Rick Rielly
  • Jolene Rightmyer-Macolini
  • Barbara Robinson
  • Victoria Romeo
  • Jacqlene Rose
  • Christie Rothschild
  • Mary Alice Ruppert
  • Susan Sanchez
  • Alexandra Sekori
  • Moses Seuram
  • Patricia Shaffer
  • Terri Shand
  • Robert Shandley
  • Susan Sommers
  • Jennifer Stevenson
  • Timothy Sweeney
  • Laurel Sweeney
  • Linda Thomas-Caster
  • Karissa Thompson
  • miriam treger
  • Liz Trego
  • Charlotte Vanderwaag
  • John Vernazza
  • Penne Vincent
  • Jason Walch
  • Eden Rae Whitaker
  • Isabel Zenocratti
  • Chris Teelin, President
  • Allison Organtini
  • Alfred Peavy, President

Mission

With the goal of assisting individuals in becoming homeowners, the NYSAR Housing Opportunities Foundation identifies outside partnership opportunities with organizations that facilitate homeownership and also provides direct support in the home buying process to low-to-moderate income families.

Bylaws
Operating Guidelines

What is the NYSAR Housing Opportunities Foundation?

Created by the Board of Directors of the New York State Association of REALTORS® in early 2003, it is a 501(c) (3) charitable foundation with the goal of assisting individuals in becoming homeowners utilizing a variety of means including public-private partnerships, education, counseling and financial assistance to both individuals and organizations whose activities facilitate homeownership. The NYSAR Housing Opportunities Foundation was created at the recommendation of the NYSAR Housing Opportunities Committee, which has been charged with creating opportunities to increase affordable housing and opportunities for individuals to overcome the barriers to homeownership.

The activities of the foundation are governed by a board of directors comprised of 16-20 members of the New York State Association of REALTORS®.

Board of Directors

Housing Opportunities Foundation

  • President:

    Lanie Bittner, Greater Rochester
  • Vice President:

    Kalen Raynor, Long Island
  • Secretary:

    Kimberly Bullard, Southern Adirondack
  • Treasurer:

    Bridget Kelly, Buffalo Niagara

Term expires 2024

  • Jacqie Rose, Otsego Delaware
  • Kyle Kelly, Long Island
  • Freddie Garcia, Hudson Gateway
  • Kira Witherwax, Clinton County
  • Yvette Clark Watkins, Long Island

Term expires 2025

  • Laurel Sweeney, Ulster County
  • Bridget Kelly, Buffalo Niagara
  • Roseann La Fata, Staten Island
  • Anthony Ruperto, Hudson Gateway
  • Zach Latinville, Clinton County

Term expires 2026

  • Rosalind Burgin, Buffalo Niagara
  • Lisa Ostrander, Southern Adirondack
  • Pamela Jones, Hudson Gateway
  • Joosoo Kim, Long Island
  • Dawne Salamone, Dutchess County
  • HOC Chair:

    Yvette Clark Watkins, Long Island
  • Immediate Past President :

    Sarah Stansbury, Clinton County

Making homeownership a reality

Between 2003 and 2021, the NYSAR Housing Opportunities Foundation helped more than 400 families across New York State become homeowners by awarding first-time homebuyer grants. The intention was to help defray ever-rising closing costs and the down payment expenditure. The NYSAR Housing Opportunities Foundation reviews and awards first-time home buyer grants throughout the state of New York. In order to apply, applicants must be working with a REALTOR® and fall within the given guidelines.

Application

The NYSAR Housing Opportunities Foundation has moved to an online application submission portal. Starting January 1, the only applications that will be accepted are those that are submitted online.

All applicants will be notified of grant approval or denial by the next mid-month following receipt of application. Please do not call for the status of your application unless extenuating circumstances arise. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

CLICK HERE and you will be redirected to submit your application online.

See below for guidelines, requirements and a grant program fact sheet:

NYSAR HOF Application Instructions

Grant Program Fact Sheet

Purchase Price and Income Limits for Grant Applicants

How can I make a difference?

To accomplish its mission of facilitating homeownership for citizens of New York State, the NYSAR Housing Opportunities Foundation must be adequately funded. With your generous support, the foundation can continue to:

  • Foster public-private sector relationships to help individuals become homeowners.
  • Facilitate the acquisition and maintenance of private homeownership and housing options.
  • Offer expertise and guidance in the home acquisition process.
  • Provide opportunities for funding down payment and closing costs for individuals as well as distributions to other Section 501(c)(3) organizations with like goals.

Make your tax-deductible contribution today and help make the dream of homeownership a reality for families and individuals throughout the state. Donating is easy. Simply complete the donation form and send it to the NYSAR Housing Opportunities Foundation.

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Contact Us

Ali Mann, Director of Governance NYSAR Housing Opportunities Foundation 130 Washington Avenue Albany, NY 12210 Ph: 518-463-0300 Fax: 518-462-5474 Email: [email protected]