Bureau of Housing
& Project Development

The Bureau manages the City’s residential rehabilitation programs, real estate, housing functions and demolition services. Programs for which the Bureau is responsible include the following:

Home Expo Program (585-428-6820)
The next Home Expo is planned for 2009
The Home Expo program offers affordable home ownership opportunities for families seeking to buy new homes in City neighborhoods. While these homes may be purchased at their full market values, City and N.Y. State subsidies are available to income-qualified families, who must occupy them for 10 years. Workmanship on Home Expo homes is guaranteed for up to one year. Typically, there are several different styles and models to select from. Home Expo homes are built on city-owned vacant lots. Eligible families must have a steady and documented income (between 60% -120% of the median) during the prior two years and good credit.

HOME Rochester (585-428-6888) www.homerochester.org
 The City of Rochester's HOME Rochester program offers affordable, rehabilitated homes for owner-occupancy. Vacant homes are rehabilitated to "like new" standards. Rehabilitation standards typically include a new roof, new furnace, new plumbing, etc. Homes are subsidized by the City of Rochester and the State of New York to provide affordable home ownership opportunities. There is a 10 year owner-occupancy requirement. HOME Rochester homes are typically larger than newly constructed houses in the Home Expo program, and are less expensive. HOME Rochester homes are located throughout the City. Families must meet income eligibility requirements (typically between 50%–80% of median income). Families must have a steady, and documented income for the past two years, and good credit. For information regarding properties currently available through this program, please go to: www.homerochester.org.

Home Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP) (585-428-6888)
The HPAP provides up to $3,000 in down payment/ closing cost assistance to first time, owner-occupant home buyers in the City of Rochester. In order to utilize the HPAP you must be certified by the City's Home Buyer Service Staff and attend a pre-purchase training program. You must agree to live in the property for a minimum of five(5) years and make a minimum personal investment of $1,500 toward down payment or closing costs. Families must have a steady and documented income for the past two years, and good credit. The program is currently limited to properties included in the City Living Sundays Events. For more information about City Living Sundays, please go to: citylivingsundays.com.

Employer Assisted Housing Initiative (EAHI) ((585) 428-6888)
The City of Rochester's EAHI program provides incentives for participating private employers to encourage their employees to purchase homes in the city of Rochester. The City provides a dollar for dollar match to private employer contributions of up to $3,000, for a total grant of up to $6,000 toward the purchase of a city home. Total grant amount is dependent upon private employer contribution. The City of Rochester also offers this incentive to its employees, who may receive a grant of up to $6,000 toward the purchase of a city home. Funds may be used for down payment/ closing costs. Participants cannot currently own a home in the city. EAHI is not income restricted, but participants will have a five-year residency requirement. Individual employers may have additional eligibility criteria. Call for employer specific information. Private employers participating in EAHI, as of March 2008 include: Unity Health Systems, Kodak, Xerox, Visting Nurse Services and PAETEC.

Unbuildable Lot Sales (585-428-6951)
The City of Rochester offers city-owned, vacant land parcels, which are unbuildable for sale. Parcels which meet one or more of the following conditions are considered unbuildable:

1. The lot is residentially zoned and has a frontage of less than 36 linear feet, and an area of less than 3,600 square feet.
2. The parcel is land locked without means of access from another property.
3. The lot is encumbered with severe easement or topographical problems, or is located in an environmentally sensitive area which prohibits construction.
4. The lot has an irregular shape or terrain which prohibits construction. Only property owners adjacent to the unbuildable lot will be given the opportunity to purchase the parcel. The lot would then be combined with the adjacent property.

Real Estate Mailing List (585-428-6951) (http://realestate.cityofrochester.gov)
The City of Rochester's Real Estate Mailing List is a service provided by the Division of Real Estate to inform paid subscribers of the various City sponsored sales of real estate during the year. Included among these sales are: Tax Foreclosure Sales, , Request for Proposal sales, and Regular Auction notices. To receive free notices of these sales by email, please go to: http://realestate.cityofrochester.gov and click on "Sign Up Here".

Tax Foreclosure Sales (585-428-6951)
The City of Rochester's Tax Foreclosure Sales process begins with the tax foreclosure of city properties. The City acts as an agent of the court, and offers the properties for sale at the amount of City of Rochester past due taxes plus interest. People seeking both investment properties and owner-occupant opportunities are eligible to attend and participate in Tax Foreclosure Sales. Tax Foreclosure Sales are advertised in the local news publications for a minimum of four weeks prior to the actual sale event. The City of Rochester's Tax Foreclosure Sale usually takes place in January of each year. For more information, please go to: http://realestate.cityofrochester.gov.

Request For Proposal Sale (585-428-6951)
The City of Rochester's Request for Proposal program markets unique properties. These structures are typically commercial, mixed use, or properties which contain four or more residential units. The properties are offered for sale at their appraised values, and interested prospective purchasers are encouraged to submit development proposals outlining their intended uses for the properties. A committee then selects the proposal which best conforms to the City's goals and objectives. Criteria for proposal selection is also based upon: time to complete the project, accuracy of cost estimate for rehabilitation, and feasibility of the financial plan. The City will retain the title to the property until a Certificate of Occupancy is obtained. The deed will then be recorded in the purchaser's name. For more information, please go to: http://realestate.cityofrochester.gov..

Garden Permit Program (428-6951)
The City of Rochester's Garden Permit Program allows individuals to utilize City owned vacant lots for gardening purposes. Individuals identify a lot, and complete an application with the Division of Real Estate. If the lot is not reserved for another program or is not under contract for sale, the permit is approved. The permit holder is required to keep the lot maintained and clear of debris. Construction of permanent structures, use as off-street parking, or improvements on the property by the gardening permit holder are not allowed. A Garden Permit can be revoked by the City of Rochester if the individual issued the permit violates any of the terms of the agreement, or if the lot is buildable and is sold for development. The Garden Permit expires every November 1st, but may be renewed at that time.

Demolition (585-428-6922)
The City of Rochester’s Division of Technical Services controls all demolition activity both public and private. Demolition of a building is determined by the following factors:

1. the building is a health and safety hazard;
2. the building negatively impacts the community, and is beyond rehabilitation.

All privately owned buildings slated for public demolition must go through a formal hearing process. The hearing process usually takes one month. After the hearing all demolitions are sent out to bid. The bidding process typically takes two months. The entire process from the request of demolition to actual demolition may take from three to five months. Other responsibilities of the demolition team are asbestos identification and abatement.