BCNI is a Schenectady, NY based nonprofit housing and community development organization with a long and established history of helping those most in need with access to safe, decent and affordable housing.
Our experienced staff are dedicated to helping area residents (and future residents) achieve the dream of homeownership, prevent foreclosure, rehabilitate and improve single family homes and small rental properties. We also develop, own and manage affordable rental property. Housing comes in all forms, and we cover the spectrum of needs in our community to ensure that all who need it can access it. Let’s help you today.
For Prospective Home Buyers
Navigating the home buying process can feel overwhelming. BCNI’s HUD-certified housing counseling staff are here to help make the process easier to navigate. Our counselors support clients at every stage of the home buying process, enabling them to make informed decisions and setting them up for long-term, successful homeownership. We offer personalized financial literacy and housing counseling which can include, but is not limited to, budget and credit counseling, mortgage readiness, pre-purchase counseling, First-time Homebuyer Education, and post purchase counseling. For qualified individuals or households, BCNI may be able to offer or make a referral for down payment assistance.
For Current Homeowners
BCNI offers a range of supportive services that can help income-qualified homeowners, including seniors aging in place, address needed repairs, accessibility modifications, health and safety issues, and/or code violations mandating repairs. Provided in the form of a grant to eligible recipients, funds are available from several State and Federal awards provided to and administered by BCNI on behalf of partners at the City of Schenectady and NY State’s housing agency, NYS Homes and Community Renewal.
For homeowners at risk of, or currently experiencing the challenge of foreclosure, BCNI offers financial counseling, loan modification assistance, mortgage default counseling, and foreclosure prevention grants to help you remain in your home.
Assistance for Owner Occupied Property
Foreclosure Prevention
For Small Rental Property Owners
If you own small multifamily rental property in Schenectady, Montgomery or Fulton County, BCNI may have resources available to assist you with rehabilitation, conversion and/or lead paint hazard mitigation. In partnership with NYS Homes and Community Renewal, BCNI is the local program administration for the Vacant Rental Improvement (VRP) Program in Schenectady, which can provide grants to property owners to rehabilitate and return vacant rental units to the market or convert vacant structures into newly available rental property. In Montgomery County (primarily Amsterdam) and Fulton County (primarily Gloversville), BCNI is the local program administrator for the NYS Leading in Lead Prevention Pilot Program, which can provide grants to property owners to remediate and/or abate lead paint hazards in aged housing stock.
For Renters
Finding safe, reliable, and affordable housing can be challenging today, even here in the City of Schenectady. In addition to providing resources to area property owners to advance the mission of providing safe, decent and affordable housing options in the market, BCNI owns and manages a small but growing portfolio of affordable rental units in the City of Schenectady. Our experienced property management teams work hand in hand with our residents to ensure quality experience while living in one of our properties. If you’re in need of affordable housing for yourself or your family, please visit NYS Homes and Community Renewal’s Housing Search to explore available options or contact BCNI to inquire about availability in our portfolio.
Rental Property Development
BCNI is committed to expanding our small portfolio of affordable rental housing through new construction and the rehabilitation of existing distressed properties in the greater Schenectady area. Our team is experienced in the development and execution of complex affordable housing projects. BCNI has been proud to partner with development companies of all sizes to create projects that respond to the needs of our local community and that seek to revitalize neighborhoods. Learn more about our recent projects and feel free to contact us today if you’re interested in discussing partnership opportunities.