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.

Donate Now

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.

Donate Now

Welcome new affiliate partner, invisaWear! Use code NYSARFoundation for 10% off your purchase!

Where Safety Meets Style

Our mission is to allow people to protect themselves and the people they love. At invisaWear, we aim to positively empower users in feeling safe, secure, and connected. We believe that everyone deserves to feel safe and hope that our products will give users some much-needed peace of mind.

How It Works

Shared Location

Send your location to your loved ones and 9-1-1 even if you don’t know where you are or can’t speak.

Emergency Alert

A text message notifies up to 5 pre-selected emergency contacts that you’re requesting help.

Contact 911 Feature

Enable the free and optional contact 911 feature to connect your emergency contacts with police close to your location.

Personal Profile

Share personal information like your name with dispatchers to aid in responding to your emergency.

Learn more about INVISAWEAR

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]