Free Service Available to Find and List Affordable and Accessible Housing

Albany, NY - May 12, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) — The New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) today announced a free on-line housing listing and locator service for affordable, special needs, and accessible housing throughout New York State. The new service will assist renters, property providers, housing professionals and social service providers with accessing real-time rental housing information throughout New York State.

DHCR created NYHousingSearch.gov in collaboration with the New York State Department of Health (DOH) and the New York Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD). Socialserve.com a national not-for-profit provider of housing locator services maintains the site and staffs a toll-free bi-lingual call center to assist individuals and agencies with listing and finding rental housing.

NYHousingSearch.gov offers property owners and managers a place to advertise their properties at no cost. Residents looking for a place to live may access the site for free to search up-to-date vacancies and property contact information.

NYHousingSearch.gov is available online 24-hours a day or via our toll-free, bilingual call center at 1-877-428-8844 M-F from 9am-8pm.

Governor Paterson said, “At a time when a record number of New Yorkers are struggling with unemployment and our declining economy, the State must find new and affordable ways to provide additional resources to those most at risk. Working families and people with disabilities must have access to quality, affordable housing. By developing tools that connect people to available housing, we can help assure that more New Yorkers have a safe, decent place to live.”

Deborah VanAmerongen, Commissioner of DHCR said, “NYHousingSearch.gov will be an invaluable tool for people looking for affordable places to live that meet their individual needs. People can search by a multitude of features including rent, number of bedrooms, location, amenities and accessibility features. This site puts all the information in one place and helps take the guesswork out of the search for an affordable place to live.”

Richard F, Daines, M.D., DOH Commissioner said, “Increasingly, elderly New Yorkers and people with disabilities need affordable, accessible housing to continue living independently in their communities. With this registry, New Yorkers will get help identifying appropriate alternatives to residing in nursing homes.”

Diana Jones Ritter, Commissioner of OMRDD said, “As chair of the Most Integrated Setting Coordinating Council, access to stable, affordable and accessible housing for persons with disabilities has been a top priority,” said “This collaborative on-line housing registry will be a vital tool to assist people in finding opportunities within their communities.”

NYHousingSearch.gov is a free public service provided by the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal, the New York State Department of Health, and Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. The site is maintained by Socialserve.com, a national not-for-profit provider of housing locator services.

Tagged as: DHCR