NEWYORK: Governor Kathy Hochul announced the final round of 2026 awards for her innovative MOVE-IN NY affordable homeownership program. Nearly $20 million was awarded to create 61 new homes across the state.
The Essex County Land Bank was awarded $7,260,000 for 24 homes; the Wayne County Regional Land Bank was awarded $3,327,500 for 11 homes; the Rochester Land Bank was awarded $4,537,500 for 15 homes; and the Suffolk County Landbank was awarded $4,840,000 for 11 homes. To date, over $80 million dollars in MOVE-IN NY funding has been awarded to create new, affordable homeownership opportunities for 250 households.
“My administration is using every tool in the toolbox to bring homeownership within reach for individuals and families across New York,” Governor Hochul said.
“By harnessing the benefits of factory-built technology, the MOVE-IN NY program is bringing modern, affordable single-family homes to the market more quickly and in more regions than ever before.”
Administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), MOVE-IN NY harnesses the benefits of prefabricated homes to quickly build more affordable starter homes in communities throughout New York.
The factory-built homes used in the MOVE-IN NY program can be built quickly and economically, at a large scale. Referred to as “CrossMods,” these homes resemble traditionally constructed single-family homes and can be integrated in all types of housing markets including urban, suburban and rural communities.
MOVE-IN NY funds are awarded to municipalities, land banks, or non-profits through a competitive process and will be used to purchase and site prefabricated CrossMod homes. Once sited, the homes will be sold for less than the cost of construction to low- and moderate-income homebuyers.
CrossMods are built to the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards Code and meet design guidelines approved by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which enables homebuyers to access conventional mortgages.
“The innovative MOVE-IN NY program is helping individuals and families build housing security across the state. This $20 million investment for more than 60 affordable homes exemplifies Governor Hochul’s bold vision and leadership on expanding homeownership. We are grateful for our partners at the Essex County Land Bank, Wayne County Land Bank, Suffolk County Land Bank and Rochester Land Bank for their commitment to New York’s housing agenda,” New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas.
Throughout New York, smaller, more affordable homes — often referred to as “starter homes” — have become increasingly scarce, preventing young individuals and families from becoming first-time homeowners and older New Yorkers from downsizing. In recent years, construction costs, materials and interest rates have skyrocketed, making the typical cost to construct a small, single-family home in New York upwards of $450,000 or more.
MOVE-IN NY is supported by $50 million that Governor Hochul secured in the FY26 Enacted State Budget. The Governor secured an additional $100 million in the FY27 Enacted Budget to support further expansion of the MOVE-IN NY program as well as the continued exploration of emerging factory-built and modular construction technologies. This investment will help New York remain a leader in using innovative approaches to homebuilding.
“Tackling our affordable housing crisis will require creative solutions and many different types of housing, including the expansion of modular and manufactured homes across the state. With funding allocated through our state budget, the MOVE-IN NY program will put homeownership within reach for many families while helping to turn vacant and dilapidated blocks into thriving neighborhoods. The expansion of factory-built starter homes will help many young people and families buy their first homes. I look forward to working with Governor Hochul and HCR to further expand this program,” said Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal.
“This is a monumental moment for Essex County and the North Country. Communities throughout the Adirondack Park are working incredibly hard to address a housing shortage. These new homes will make a tangible difference by creating attainable homeownership opportunities and helping more people build their lives here. MOVE-IN NY is a model that truly works for rural New York, and we are deeply grateful to Governor Hochul and the HCR team,” said Essex County Land Bank, President & CEO Nicole Justice Green.
