Westchester County publishes free informational booklets, available below, to help with a whole range of housing topics including the very fundamental, "A Roof Over Your Head" to well researched reports and plans.

Westchester County Housing Needs Assessment
The Assessment looks at the County’s history of housing policies; lays out the methodology for data analysis; provides findings on a wide variety of demographic, housing stock and housing affordability issues; and provides recommendations, including Best Practices from across the country, to help the County move forward in meeting its affordable housing needs.

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Model Ordinance
Municipalities can consider updating their zoning codes to allow accessory dwelling units to help support more efficient use of existing housing stock and infrastructure, provide housing that responds to changing family needs and accessible housing for seniors and persons with disabilities.

Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice
This analysis identifies the impediments to fair housing choice and describes actions that can be taken to overcome the identified impediments.  This report was delivered to H.U.D. on April 24, 2013.

Adapting Underutilized Office Parks for Housing
Study demonstrates feasibility of building housing, including fair and affordable housing, on underutilized office park land.

Rutgers Report (March 30, 2004)
A report on affordable housing needs in Westchester in the years 2000 through 2015 by Rutgers University.

Affordable Housing Allocation Plan based on Rutgers Report (Nov. 9, 2005)
Advisory recommendations on allocating affordable housing throughout Westchester.

Westchester Urban County Consortium Consolidated Plan
The Consolidated Plan is a comprehensive document promoting a holistic approach to housing and community development needs and fosters the coordination of all programs, funded by HUD.  The report chapters can be accessed from the Community Development page.

Housing Implementation Plan
The 46-page implementation plan provides greater detail about the county’s plans and processes for building 750 units of fair and affordable housing in 31 communities.

A Resource Guide for Homeowners of Westchester County Fair and  Affordable Housing Units
This handbook is written for owners of subsidized housing and it details many fair and affordable housing programs and their requirements for participation. Includes program summaries, FAQs and links for additional information.  Sample letters and documents are included to make it easier to refinance or make changes to your mortgage.

A Roof Over Your Head: A Guide to Housing Resources
Whether you are a tenant, landlord, homeowner, elderly, or disabled, this guide is a compilation of the most commonly-asked questions on housing resources available to everyone.  English Spanish

Housing Resource Guide for Autism Spectrum Disorder/Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
The Westchester Institute for Human Development (WIHD) created a Housing Resource Guide for families seeking housing in Westchester County for their adult children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. The guide:

  • contains an overview of housing options in Westchester and describes available paths and options for an individual and their family.
  • lists the resources that can affect housing opportunities and can lead to the creation of housing stock - such as governmental subsidies and incentives to home builders.
  • describes housing options in the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) certified system and other state systems.
  • explains how to begin to create a housing plan, how to choose from the services and options available, and lists resources and programs for housing developers.

Who Wants Affordable Housing in their Backyard? An Equilibrium Analysis of Low Income Property Development
This report is posted on the Stanford Business Graduate School’s Web site. It estimates the spillovers of properties financed by the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) onto surrounding neighborhoods and estimates the impact of LIHTC development on nearby house prices. The report concludes that affordable housing is a desirable way to invest in and revitalize low-income communities.

Federal Home Loan Banks
The FHLB is a cooperative of banks organized into twelve regions. Together, the banks and their members are the largest providers of residential mortgages and community development credit in the United States.

Fannie Mae
The Federal National Mortgage Association, Fannie Mae, was established to expand the flow of mortgage funds in all communities, at all times, under all economic conditions, and to help lower the costs to buy a home. Here you will find many resources about home lending and mortgage fraud protection.

Freddie Mac
The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation was chartered by congress to increase the supply of funds that mortgage lenders can make available to homebuyers and investors in multifamily developments. On this site you will find information for homebuyers, investors and developers including how to avoid foreclosure.

Ginnie Mae
The Government National Mortgage Association, Ginnie Mae, is a federally sponsored agency that helps secure and guarantee the issuance of home mortgages.

Westchester Residential Opportunities
WRO offers training and education about the fair housing responsibilities of Co-op Board members. An interactive CD and “Webcast for Coops” are available.  See link above or phone WRO at 914-428-4507 Extension 306.

Westchester Urban County Consortium Consolidated Plan
The Consolidated Plan is a comprehensive document promoting a holistic approach to housing and community development needs and fosters the coordination of all programs, funded by HUD. You can find it in the Dept. of Planning Publications.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
The U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development offers information on all aspects of housing.