Our limited equity model allows low-income New Yorkers to become homeowners while preserving affordability for future generations.
Through the limited-equity cooperative model, the buildings we develop continue to be preserved as community assets for the long-term. The benefits and positive impact of our projects continue well beyond their initial residents. Any departing families will have had the unique opportunity to earn some personal equity while paying an affordable monthly maintenance fee and serving as a steward of affordable housing. When a family moves out, the apartment is sold at an affordable price to a new low-income eligible family, thereby creating true, lasting, shared-equity and community wealth. This model not only fosters diversity but keeps families and generations within the fabric of a city.
Our development program ensures that low- and middle-income people are able to take collective ownership of their homes. People of color, who historically have been systematically excluded from homeownership opportunities (the most common model of equity creation in the US) through unjust practices such as redlining, have been able to build modest wealth while enjoying stable housing that they and their neighbors control.
UHAB develops rental buildings as well as cooperatives. Cooperative limited-equity ownership isn’t the best outcome for every building, for a variety of reasons. Some of our best projects have gone on to become happy and healthy rentals owned by nonprofits. It all depends on the desires of the residents.