Governor Secured $4.5 Million To Support Efforts To Prevent and Combat Deed Theft
Additional $40 Million in FY27 Budget for Homeowner Protection Program To Help Preserve Homeownership and Protect At-Risk Homeowners From Foreclosure
Builds on Governor’s Ongoing Efforts To Protect Families and Homeowners
Governor Kathy Hochul today met with Brooklyn homeowners to highlight her actions to combat deed theft.
Governor Hochul recently secured $4.5 million to support enforcement, community outreach and education activities related to preventing and combating deed theft.
Additionally, the FY27 Budget includes $40 million for the Homeowner Protection Program to support a statewide network of housing counseling and legal services organizations that provide free assistance to homeowners.
This announcement builds on a suite of major actions the state has taken since the Governor took office to protect homeowners against deed theft.
“Owning a home is the cornerstone of the American Dream, and every New Yorker deserves a chance to build that foundation for their family,”Governor Hochul said.“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.”
New York Attorney General Letitia James said, “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 Governor Hochul for her support in combating the scourge of deed theft and committing critical resources toward keeping New Yorkers in their homes.”
Deed theft cheats hardworking New Yorkers out of the opportunity to own and keep their homes, particularly in communities of color.
The total $44.5 million will empower homeowners and law enforcement to fight back.
As part of the FY27 Budget, Governor Hochul secured $40 million for HOPP to support a network of housing counseling and legal services organizations that provide free assistance to homeowners throughout New York State.
HOPP organizations provide services that include helping at-risk homeowners remain in their homes such as foreclosure prevention, and avoid scams that can result in mortgage fraud or deed theft.
Since the Governor took office, the state has provided a total of nearly $200 million, which funds critical services to 20,000 at-risk homeowners annually, preserving millions of dollars in equity and stabilizing communities.
Last year, the Governor took action to protect homeowners by signing legislation strengthening important cease and desist zone notification procedures and strengthened laws and policies to combat home appraisal discrimination.
The law further enables the Department of State to fine appraisers for violations, in addition to other existing remedies, with half of those fines going to a fund to support fair housing enforcement.
Additionally, in 2024, the Governor championed and signed new criminal law protections for homeowners against deed theft, creating the crime of deed theft in the larceny statute for the first time and providing prosecutors stronger tools to crack down on these heinous crimes, in partnership with the New York State Office of Attorney General.
The law also created additional preventative measures to protect inherited property by prohibiting non-heirs from forcing partition sales, giving heirs a right of first refusal to match an external offer to buy out another heir, and allowing for Transfer on Death Deeds in lieu of formal wills, providing tools to help safeguard generational wealth.
In 2023, Governor Hochul signed legislation that empowers the Attorney General, local District Attorneys, and other law enforcement investigating or litigating deed theft to move to stay any legal proceeding where possession or title to a property is at issue — including foreclosures, evictions and ownership disputes — and requires courts to grant the stay if investigations are ongoing or the government has initiated civil or criminal actions.
Upon finding probable cause or filing criminal charges, the Attorney General and District Attorneys now may file a notice of pendency as a “red flag” to make buyers and lenders aware of title issues to help stop further transactions from happening.
The legislation also expanded the ability of prosecutors to void fraudulent instruments affecting ownership of and interests in property by adding to the list of crimes that can be the basis for voiding the instruments and, for the first time, allowing the Attorney General to do so in addition to district attorneys.
The Governor further took executive action to adopt stronger DOS regulations to reduce the possibility of fraud in notarial acts.
These regulations set high verification standards that notaries must meet prior to performing a notarial act.
These records provide a reliable paper trail, which can be used to investigate wrongdoing, in the event of deed theft.
These new requirements help ensure that there is trust and confidence in notarized documents protecting vulnerable New Yorkers against misrepresentation and fraud.
The Homeowner Protection Program is administered by the New York State Office of the Attorney General.
New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D.
Williams said, “At a time when working families — particularly Black families — are being forced out of our city by the affordability crisis, It’s important now that we provide homeowners with the resources and information needed to combat unscrupulous actors and untenable situations.
I commend the governor’s efforts to combat deed theft and keep people in their homes.
For Black New Yorkers, home ownership is a dream and a goal that builds wealth, builds power, builds community.
This is a generational fight for generational wealth and stability, and one we have to win.”
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.”
Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso said, “As deed theft continues to strip families of their homes, we must do everything in our power to prevent this crime and hold scammers accountable.
Homeownership is the greatest pathway to wealth in this country, and throughout my administration, I have sounded the alarm on deed theft for Brooklyn families.
Thanks to state leaders like Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James, we're making sure that less families are falling prey to this crime, I thank the Governor for meeting with Brooklyn families today and for all that she has done to combat deed theft.“
State Senator Kevin Parker said,”Deed theft is not a victimless crime — it strips families of the homes they worked for a lifetime to secure and undermines the very foundation of generational wealth in our communities.
These investments send a clear message: New York will not stand by while bad actors' prey on vulnerable homeowners.
By strengthening enforcement, expanding access to legal services, and increasing public awareness, we are taking decisive action to protect one of the most important assets a family can own.
As legislators, we have a responsibility to ensure that every homeowner has the tools, protections, and support necessary to remain in their homes and preserve their legacy for future generations.”
State Senator Brian Kavanagh said, “Protecting New Yorkers from predatory schemes and investing in resources for foreclosure prevention are critical to our efforts to ensure that all New Yorkers have housing stability and affordability in communities across our state.
I was proud to work with Governor Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James, Senator Zellnor Myrie, and our colleagues in the legislature to enact stronger deed theft protections in 2023 and to have supported funding for the Homeowner Protection Program for many years, and I am glad that our state budget this year reflects our ongoing commitment to addressing these issues.
No New Yorker should fear losing their home to fraud or unnecessary foreclosure, and I thank Governor Hochul for her support and continued focus on protecting homeowners across the state.”
State Senator Roxanne J.
Persaud said,“Homeownership is one of the most important pathways to building generational wealth, yet far too many families in communities of color have been targeted by deed theft and housing scams that threaten their financial security and stability.
I commend Governor Hochul for securing critical funding in the FY27 Budget to strengthen enforcement efforts, expand homeowner education, and support the Homeowner Protection Program.
These investments are meaningful steps to protect New Yorkers from fraud and keep families rooted in the communities they call home.”
State Senator Zellnor Myrie said, “Deed theft is a scourge in our communities that particularly targets the most vulnerable: longtime homeowners, especially Black and brown homeowners, who have spent decades contributing to our neighborhoods and building a valuable asset to pass down to future generations.
I'm proud we passed new laws to protect homeowners and make it easier to prosecute those who prey on our neighbors, and I am grateful to the Governor and my colleagues for funding HOPP this year.”
Assemblymember Latrice Walker said, “In the last decade alone, there have been thousands of complaints of deed theft and deed fraud, particularly in communities of color in Brooklyn and Queens.
These are cases in which predators target homeowners, especially seniors and immigrants.
These criminals steal homes and deny New York families their rightful opportunities for generational wealth.
I commend Governor Kathy Hochul for her leadership in the ongoing effort to prevent and combat deed theft.
And I also salute Attorney General Letitia James, my Albany colleagues, district attorneys, and city partners for attacking the problem head-on.”
Assemblymember Stefani Zinerman said, “Deed theft is not just about property — it is about people, families, and the generational wealth that has sustained communities like Bedford-Stuyvesant and Crown Heights for generations.
I thank the residents of the 56th Assembly District for their persistent advocacy and Governor Hochul for hearing our calls for justice and protection by investing in the tools homeowners need to safeguard what they have spent a lifetime building.
Having worked alongside impacted homeowners and championed legislation to combat deed theft, I know that education, legal assistance, enforcement, and early intervention must work hand in hand.
Today’s investment brings us closer to a future where longtime residents can age in place, transfer their homes to the next generation, and remain rooted in the neighborhoods they helped build and the vibrant slice of Brooklyn we proudly call home.”
Assemblymember Nikki Lucas said, “Protecting homeowners from deed theft is not just a housing issue, it is a matter of justice, financial security, and preserving generational wealth, which is why I strongly advocated for the $4.5 million included in the Fiscal Year 2027 State Budget to strengthen deed theft prevention through enforcement, community outreach, and public education, as well as increased funding for the HOPP to safeguard homeowners across New York State.
I am proud to support efforts to strengthen protections for homeowners.
I commend Governor Hochul for investing $40 million in HOPP, ensuring homeowners have access to the legal resources and support needed to fight deed theft and foreclosure scams.
Together, these investments and protections will help families keep their homes, preserve homeownership, and protect their financial future.”
Assemblymember Brian Cunningham said, “Longtime homeowners in my district, particularly seniors and families who have spent generations building stability in our communities, deserve to know that their homes, equity, and legacy are secure.
In our neighborhoods, homeownership is tied to family, generational wealth, and the character of the community.
Moments like this matter because they keep the focus on the people across our state most impacted by deed theft.
Meeting that responsibility requires every available strategy to stop predatory actors, protect family homes, and ensure residents have the information and support they need.”
Center for NYC Neighborhoods CEO and Executive Director Christie Peale said, “Deed theft puts family homes, neighborhood stability, and generational wealth at risk.
We are grateful to Governor Hochul and the Legislature for investing an additional $4.5 million in deed theft enforcement and outreach through the Office of the Attorney General.
Combined with the $40 million the Governor and the Legislature have already provided for HOPP, this funding recognizes that protecting homeowners requires both strong enforcement and trusted community outreach so families can recognize scams, understand their rights, and get help early.
The Center for NYC Neighborhoods looks forward to continuing to work with our HOPP partners to keep New Yorkers rooted in their communities.”
Empire Justice Center Kristin Brown said, “When New Yorker homeowners face financial uncertainty, scammers see opportunity.
The Homeowner Protection Program is a lifeline that vulnerable families turn to, preventing them from falling victim to deed theft or foreclosure rescue scams.
For over a decade HOPP has kept New Yorkers in their homes through financial hardships; the need is only increasing as bad actors get more sophisticated. We are grateful to the governor for her continued support of HOPP.”