Start by calling New York City’s Homeowner Help Desk at 646-786-0888 (or 855-466-3456), Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The desk connects homeowners with the Center for NYC Neighborhoods (CNYCN) network, which provides free foreclosure-prevention counseling and legal-service referrals. If you do not know whether your problem is mortgage arrears, property-tax debt, a water lien, or a filed foreclosure case, call 311 and ask for the homeowner assistance pathway.
The right application depends on the debt and how urgent it is. Emergency assistance through the NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA), including a possible One Shot Deal, is different from a mortgage modification, lien resolution, or a court answer. Gather your identity, household-income, housing-cost, arrears, and court documents before applying, but do not send sensitive records to an unverified private company.
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Choose the debt-relief path before you apply
NYC homeowner assistance is not one universal benefit. First identify the debt, the stage of the problem, and the deadline. A counselor can help you assemble a complete package and determine whether you also need a lawyer.
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|---|---|---|---|
| Mortgage payments are behind or foreclosure seems possible | Homeowner Help Desk, CNYCN counselor, and a HUD-approved counselor | Review loss-mitigation options, organize a lender package, and refer you to legal services | Act before the next payment, sale notice, or court deadline |
| Mortgage or property-tax arrears create an immediate hardship | HRA through ACCESS HRA or an HRA Benefits Access Center | Consider emergency assistance, including a possible One Shot Deal, if program requirements are met | Apply promptly and respond to every HRA request |
| Unpaid property tax, water, sewer, or other property charges | Homeowner Help Desk, 311, and the NYC Department of Finance process | Explain lien-sale notices and steps to resolve or prevent escalation | Check every notice for a response date |
| A summons and complaint has been served | New York Courts Foreclosure Answer Program and a foreclosure lawyer | Help determine whether and how to answer the lawsuit | Immediate; a missed answer deadline can affect defenses |
These paths can overlap. For example, a homeowner with mortgage arrears and a foreclosure complaint may need both an HRA application and legal defense. Assistance is not automatic, and a submission is not an approval.
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Get free, trusted help first
Homeowner Help Desk and CNYCN counselors
NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) directs homeowners to CNYCN’s network for free foreclosure-prevention counseling and legal services. The Homeowner Help Desk can address mortgage payments, property-tax and water liens, scams, home repairs, estate planning, and flood precautions. HPD reports that the network has served more than 30,000 homeowners; the figure is reported on the HPD/CNYCN page accessed in 2026.
In HPD’s Fiscal Year 2025 Office of the Homeowner Advocate report, 2,939 homeowners received foreclosure-prevention assistance and 471 homeowners were stabilized. Those are agency-reported FY25 figures, not a promise that every applicant will qualify.
What to say when you call
- Give the property address and explain whether the debt is a mortgage, property-tax, water, sewer, or another charge.
- State whether you have received a lien-sale notice, a foreclosure summons and complaint, or another court paper.
- Ask for a free counselor and, if court papers were served, a legal referral.
- Ask which documents to send and how to transmit them securely.
Keep the counselor’s name, the date and time of each call, and any case or referral number. A legitimate counselor should not require an upfront fee merely to review your situation.
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Check whether emergency assistance may fit
HPD says homeowners at risk of losing their homes may receive emergency help with mortgage or property-tax debt when they satisfy program requirements. HRA administers eligibility and funding and makes the decision in the applicant’s individual case.
Factors HPD identifies
- The household is eligible for cash assistance, and/or household income is under 200% of the federal poverty level.
- When there are no children in the household, the income threshold HPD lists is 125% of the federal poverty level.
- Mortgage or property-tax arrears are documented.
- The household demonstrates that it can keep paying ongoing mortgage or property-tax bills after the emergency is addressed.
- The applicant resides in New York City.
These thresholds are percentage tests, not guaranteed award amounts. The applicable federal-poverty-level calculation, household composition, current HRA rules, available funding, and case facts must be confirmed with HRA.
Additional HRA considerations
During its interview and review, HRA may consider household size and income, the reason for the emergency, savings and other resources, whether the housing cost is affordable, disability, a realistic future payment plan, and citizenship or immigration status. A previous grant that was not repaid can affect eligibility, and some assistance may be repayable. Ask HRA to explain repayment terms in writing before accepting an award.
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Apply for emergency assistance or a One Shot Deal
Online application
- Submit an application through ACCESS HRA for emergency assistance.
- Enter every household member and report income, resources, housing costs, and the emergency accurately.
- Upload readable scans or photographs when ACCESS HRA requests documents.
- Record the submission date and confirmation number.
- Complete the required interview and answer follow-up requests by the stated deadline.
- Read HRA’s written notice carefully; it will state whether assistance is approved, denied, or requires more information.
In-person application
You may apply at an HRA Benefits Access Center. Bring your identification and the complete document packet described below. Ask for a receipt or other proof that the application was accepted, and write down the office, date, and staff contact if provided.
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Submitting an application does not stop a foreclosure, cancel a lien, or guarantee payment to a lender or the Department of Finance. Continue making any payment you can afford, respond to the servicer and court, and seek legal advice when papers have been filed. Tell HRA about every deadline so the agency can identify the emergency accurately.
Prepare a complete document packet
HRA says exact documents are requested case by case. Preparing the following records in advance reduces avoidable delays. Do not send originals unless an agency specifically requires them.
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Identity and household records
- Government photo identification and/or a birth certificate for each adult household member.
- Social Security numbers for household members when requested.
- Documents identifying all people who live in or contribute to the household.
Income and resources
- Recent pay stubs for every wage earner.
- Benefit or award letters for unemployment, disability, retirement, public assistance, or other benefits.
- Business records if anyone is self-employed.
- Statements or other records showing available savings and resources when requested.
Residence and ongoing housing costs
- Mortgage statements or other loan records.
- Property-tax bills and notices.
- Water, sewer, utility, or insurance bills that show the property address.
- Other official address records HRA accepts.
Proof of the arrears
- A current mortgage statement, servicer letter, or payment history showing the amount past due.
- A current property-tax bill or official Department of Finance notice showing the amount owed.
- A water, sewer, or other lien notice identifying the creditor and balance.
- Any document that states the date by which payment or a response is required.
Foreclosure and legal papers
- Every summons and complaint, including all pages and attachments.
- Court orders, notices of appearance, conference notices, and later court papers.
- Letters and emails from the lender, servicer, foreclosure attorney, or city agency.
- Payment histories, escrow notices, and records of prior disputes.
Evidence of a plan after assistance
- Current income records showing how regular mortgage or property-tax bills will be paid.
- Benefit approval or employment documentation expected to continue.
- A written payment arrangement with the lender, servicer, or taxing authority, if one exists.
- A short budget showing essential expenses and the amount available for the ongoing bill.
Make sure every image is legible, all pages are included, and filenames identify the document and date. Keep a complete copy of everything you upload or hand in.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to do if you received foreclosure papers
Recognize the lawsuit
New York Courts defines foreclosure as a lawsuit in which a mortgage lender or servicer asks the court to allow a sale of the house at auction to pay the debt. A summons and complaint means a case has been filed; it is not merely a warning letter.
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- Keep the envelope in which the summons arrived. Do not discard it or later notices.
- Make a copy or scan of the summons, complaint, exhibits, and every subsequent court document.
- Put court papers, lender letters, payment histories, escrow notices, and proof of payments in date order.
- Write down the date and manner of service and the response deadline shown in the papers.
- Contact a foreclosure lawyer or free legal referral immediately.
Use the Foreclosure Answer Program carefully
New York Courts’ Foreclosure Answer Program is intended for a homeowner who has not already answered and whose property is in New York State. It can help identify the process for responding to the lawsuit. The court recommends speaking with a lawyer, and it lists free legal-help connection at 855-HOME-456.
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Do not file an answer through an online or self-help process unless its eligibility conditions fit your case. If you have already answered, have multiple defendants, or are unsure what was filed, tell the lawyer or court navigator before taking another step.
Why the deadline matters
A missed answer deadline can affect available defenses and should be treated as urgent. A counselor may help with financial documents, but only a qualified legal professional can advise you about defenses, pleadings, service, settlement terms, or court strategy. Keep attending every scheduled conference unless the court confirms a change.
Understand liens and property-tax debt
Unpaid property taxes, water, sewer, and other property charges can be included in the City lien sale. A lien sale does not itself mean the home has been sold, but leaving the debt unresolved can move the property toward foreclosure.
Respond to a lien-sale notice
- Read the notice for the property address, debt type, balance, and response or payment date.
- Call the Homeowner Help Desk or 311 to identify the current Department of Finance process.
- Gather bills, payment receipts, exemptions or benefit records, and any dispute correspondence.
- Ask whether a payment arrangement, correction, exemption review, or other resolution is available.
- Obtain written confirmation of any agreement and keep proof of every payment.
Do not assume that applying for mortgage assistance addresses a separate tax, water, or sewer lien. List each debt separately in conversations with HRA, your counselor, and your lawyer.
Quick Recap
Compare the main remedies before choosing one
| Remedy | Debt and stage | Eligibility evidence | Result and repayment | Legal review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency assistance or One Shot Deal | Documented mortgage or property-tax emergency before or during serious delinquency | Income, household, NYC residence, arrears, resources, and ability to pay going forward | Case-by-case HRA assistance; some awards may have to be repaid | Not always required, but advisable when foreclosure papers exist |
| Loss mitigation or loan modification | Mortgage arrears or imminent default | Complete servicer package, income, expenses, hardship, and a feasible payment | Changes loan terms or payment rather than automatically paying the debt | A counselor can help; a lawyer is important for disputes or litigation |
| Lien resolution | Property-tax, water, sewer, or other municipal charge | Current official balance, ownership, notices, and payment or exemption records | May resolve, reduce, arrange, or correct the lien under the applicable city process | Seek legal advice when a lien-sale or foreclosure deadline is active |
| Court answer and foreclosure defense | Summons and complaint already filed | Case papers, service information, and whether an answer has already been filed | Preserves the opportunity to respond and raise defenses; does not guarantee dismissal | Yes. Obtain a lawyer or the court’s free legal-help connection whenever possible |
Common mistakes that delay help
- Waiting for a sale date: foreclosure prevention is more effective before a deadline becomes immediate.
- Sending an incomplete packet: missing pages, unreadable photos, or unexplained gaps in income can trigger more requests.
- Assuming one application covers every debt: mortgage, tax, water, and sewer balances may require different agencies and remedies.
- Ignoring mail after applying: HRA and courts can impose response dates even while an application is pending.
- Paying an unverified “foreclosure rescue” company: use the free city and court referrals first and do not surrender control of original documents.
- Assuming approval is automatic: HRA decides case by case and may consider repayment, resources, affordability, and immigration or citizenship factors.
- Filing a court answer without checking eligibility: the Foreclosure Answer Program has conditions, including that the homeowner has not already answered.
A practical 48-hour action plan
- Today: Call 646-786-0888, 855-466-3456, or 311; identify the debt and ask for a free counselor.
- Today: Photograph or scan every notice, summons, complaint, bill, and lender letter; preserve the envelopes.
- Today: Write a one-page timeline of missed payments, notices, calls, and any court dates.
- Within one business day: Start the ACCESS HRA application or visit an HRA Benefits Access Center if emergency assistance may fit.
- Within one business day: Request a foreclosure lawyer or use the court’s 855-HOME-456 legal-help connection if a case is filed.
- Before any deadline: Upload readable documents, save the confirmation number, and confirm that HRA, the counselor, and the court received what they require.
Questions to ask your counselor, HRA, or lawyer
- Which debt is creating the immediate risk: mortgage, tax, water, sewer, or a court judgment?
- What is the next deadline, and what action preserves my rights?
- Does my household meet the applicable income and residence rules?
- What proof shows that I can afford the ongoing bill after assistance?
- Could an award be repayable, and what written terms will explain that obligation?
- Has a lien sale or foreclosure case already been initiated?
- Have I already answered the foreclosure complaint, and if so, what is the next court step?
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