NY A02361

Establishes the Incentivizing Habitability Opportunity Program requiring local social services districts to provide financial incentives to landlords who lease qualified units to eligible homeless households.

Defines eligible households as individuals or families receiving public assistance who are homeless, including those lacking fixed housing, exiting institutions, facing eviction, fleeing domestic violence, or exposed to hazardous conditions.

Requires landlords to maintain habitability standards per local housing codes, enter into leases of at least one year, and can only terminate leases for good cause with 90-day notice; prohibits termination except for family occupancy, non-primary residence use, or removing unit from rental market.

Mandates inspection of units before lease execution and annually thereafter by the local social services district or contracted not-for-profit to verify habitability compliance; witholds incentive payments if standards are not met.

Provides monthly incentive payments of $500 per eligible individual or $1,000 per eligible family, with 100 percent of costs reimbursed by the state through federal funds and remaining state funds; incentive continues until tenant vacates or eviction is effectuated.