Rochester makes major strides in housing quality while unveiling Rehabilitate the Dream to help families become homeowners

Rochester, New York – In a continued push to improve housing conditions and boost homeownership, Rochester city officials gathered Thursday morning at City Hall to spotlight the progress being made on housing quality and enforcement — and to launch a bold new program that turns vacant properties into permanent homes.

Mayor Malik D. Evans, joined by local leaders and members of the Housing Quality Task Force, delivered an update outlining the City’s achievements in housing development and code enforcement. At the center of the announcement was the debut of Rehabilitate the Dream, a pilot program that helps local families buy and renovate empty homes.

“Our vision is simple: Every Rochesterian deserves access to safe, stable, and high-quality housing,” said Mayor Evans. “We’re investing in new housing, preparing families for homeownership, and making sure all property owners are part of the solution.”

Affordable Housing Projects on the Rise

The City has made substantial progress since 2022. With over 3,000 affordable housing units built or underway, and another 850 market-rate rentals added, Rochester is quickly reshaping its residential landscape. The development effort has also included 450,000 square feet of mixed-use commercial space, aiming to support more walkable, economically vibrant neighborhoods.

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Together, these projects have drawn nearly $1.5 billion in affordable housing investments and an additional $300 million in private sector market-rate developments.

A Pathway to Homeownership

The spotlight of the morning was the Rehabilitate the Dream program — a new initiative designed to put vacant homes back into use while giving Rochester families a chance to own property.

Working in collaboration with the Rochester Land Bank Corporation and HOME HeadQuarters, the program gives qualifying buyers access to low-interest acquisition and renovation loans, expert construction management, and financial support. In exchange, new homeowners commit to living in the home for at least 15 years — an approach meant to foster long-term stability.

Available homes and application materials are now live at www.CityofRochester.gov/LandBank.

The City is also putting financial education front and center. Through the Office of Financial Empowerment, residents can receive counseling, enroll in rent-reporting programs to boost credit, and use tools like the newly launched Homeowner’s Guide to Building Generational Wealth to plan for the future.

Stronger Code Enforcement

Beyond expanding access to housing, city leaders are cracking down on poor property maintenance. Since 2022, the number of monthly code violation tickets issued has risen by 35%, a sign of stepped-up enforcement. In total, more than $500,000 in fines and legal judgments have been collected in the last three years.

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The City’s code enforcement team is also near full capacity, with just one vacancy remaining. Officials say this has helped speed up investigations and penalties against persistent code violators — especially those involving lead hazards and outdated certificates of occupancy.

To support the effort, a new City Law Clerk was hired to assist with legal actions targeting landlords who repeatedly fail to meet standards.

Task Force Recommendations in Action

Thursday’s update also provided a rundown of completed actions based on the Housing Quality Task Force’s recommendations, which were submitted to Mayor Evans in June 2022. Since then, city departments have coordinated closely to implement reforms aimed at both property standards and equitable housing access.

City officials emphasized that more updates and transparency are available online at www.CityOfRochester.gov/HQTF, where residents can track progress and read the full list of reforms.

Building a Better Rochester

The work is far from done, but Thursday’s update showed momentum is on Rochester’s side. With hundreds of millions in housing investments, stricter code enforcement, and new tools to help residents become homeowners, Mayor Evans says the City is committed to making housing work for everyone.

“Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a renter, or someone waiting for a safe place to call home — we want you to know we’re listening, we’re acting, and we’re delivering,” Evans said.