Governor Kathy Hochul on Wednesday announced $4.5 million in additional funding to combat deed theft and support homeowners across New York during a visit with homeowners in Bedford-Stuyvesant.
The funding will be used for deed theft enforcement, community outreach and education efforts, alongside the $40 million from fiscal year 2027 budget for the state's Homeowner Protection Program, which provides free legal and housing counseling services to homeowners facing foreclosure, housing scams and deed theft.
The investment is aimed at strengthening protections for homeowners, particularly in communities where deed theft has disproportionately affected longtime residents and communities of color, officials said.
"Owning a home is the cornerstone of the American Dream, and every New Yorker deserves a chance to build that foundation for their family," Hochul said in a statement. "Vulnerable homeowners are being targeted by fraudsters and as governor, I will not stand for this and remain committed to protecting homeowners, especially our most vulnerable ones, from this despicable crime."
The Homeowner Protection Program, administered by the New York Attorney General's Office, supports a statewide network of housing counselors and legal service providers. The state has invested nearly $200 million in the program since Hochul took office, funding services for roughly 20,000 at-risk homeowners each year.
The announcement comes as New York continues to expand efforts to address deed theft and real estate fraud.
"From prosecuting scammers who target vulnerable homeowners to passing legislation to make it easier to stop foreclosures and evictions to creating the Homeowner Protection Program, my office has been on the front lines of the fight against deed theft. I thank Gov. Kathy Hochul for her support in combating the scourge of deed theft and committing critical resources toward keeping New Yorkers in their homes," said New York Attorney General Letitia James.
The state has also adopted stricter notary regulations requiring stronger identity verification and recordkeeping standards for notarized documents, measures intended to reduce fraud in real estate transactions.
