New York, NY, May 28, 2026 — New Yorkers can get expert advice on buying a home for the first time, or applying for affordable rental housing through the HPD Housing Connect lottery, at the Pathways to Housing Expo on Saturday, June 27, in Manhattan, presented by the nonprofit NYC Housing Partnership.
The fourth annual Pathways to Housing Expo is free and open to the public from 10:00am to 3:00pm on Saturday, June 27, at the CUNY Graduate Center at 365 Fifth Avenue at 34th Street in Manhattan. Advance registration is strongly advised. Previous Affordable Housing Expos filled to capacity. To register to attend the Expo go to HousingExpo26.eventbrite.com. Space is limited.
New Yorkers preparing to buy their first home or seeking affordable rentals in this challenging housing environment will receive information and assistance from residential real estate and mortgage professionals, nonprofit housing counselors, legal experts and public agencies offering practical information and hands-on help.
Attendees will have access to a “Housing Hub” with a full day of sessions covering topics such as the ABCs of Home Buying, how to apply for affordable rentals through Housing Connect, “Keys to Renting Smarter, Living Better” and accessing down payment and closing cost assistance programs including HomeFirst, SONYMA and bank and employer grants.
A major highlight of the 2026 Pathways to Housing Expo is an opportunity to learn about NYC’s HomeFirst Down Payment Assistance Program which provides up to $100,000 in financial assistance for the purchase of a 1- to 4-family home, condominium or co-op in the five boroughs. HomeFirst is available to households earning up to 120% of Area Median Income (AMI). Completion of a HUD-certified housing counseling course, provided by the Housing Partnership, is a requirement for accessing this program.
“Our annual Expos draw overflow crowds of New Yorkers eager to learn about affordable rental housing, mortgage preparedness and down-payment assistance. We’re building on that interest and momentum with a bigger lineup of resources and experts,” said Jamie A. Smarr, President and CEO of the Housing Partnership.
“We want to help more New Yorkers access safe and comfortable affordable homes faster, both first time home buyers and those seeking rentals,” said Mr. Smarr.
“Our 2026 Pathways to Housing expo brings together an array of experts to provide New Yorkers with valuable information and tools to buy better, rent smarter and live securely,” said Emily McIntosh, the Housing Partnership’s Director of Homeownership Education. “The Expo is a natural extension of our mission. For those seeking to buy their first home or looking for an affordable rental, this is a major event for information and support.”
Attracting capacity crowds the Pathways to Housing Expo has become a leading public event to close the City’s housing gap. It is supported by community-based organizations, financial institutions, housing professionals and public sector partners committed to housing stability and economic opportunity.
“Sponsor and exhibitor opportunities remain available. Organizations interested in showcasing their services, expanding their community outreach and participating in a proven affordable housing event should visit housingpartnership.com/news/events/expo-2026,” said Ms. McIntosh.
A 2026 Pathways to Housing Expo Master Sponsor is the Soloviev Foundation, the charitable giving arm of the Soloviev Group. Its sponsorship reflects a shared commitment to expanding housing opportunities for New Yorkers.
“The Expo helps families and individuals unlock their housing futures. It attracts sponsors and partners from across the financial, real estate, nonprofit and community sectors,” said Mr. Smarr.
For more than four decades the nonprofit NYC Housing Partnership has led relationships among private sector developers and financial institutions and City, state and federal agencies that created and preserved 100,000 low and moderate-income housing units in the five boroughs, leveraging over $11.1 billion in private financing and utilizing more than $550 million in subsidies for affordable housing.