Key facts
- Forty-five New York City households became first-time homeowners in the first seven months of 2026.
- The Pathways to Homeownership for Gig Workers program is supported by a $600,000 Airbnb grant.
- Over 190 self-employed and gig worker households have participated in the program.
- The NYC Housing Partnership has helped create and preserve over 100,000 affordable housing units.
Forty-five New York City households became first-time homeowners in the first seven months of 2026 through the Pathways to Homeownership for Gig Workers program, an initiative designed to assist self-employed individuals in navigating the mortgage application process. Another 32 households have reportedly secured mortgage pre-approvals and are on track to achieve homeownership.
The program, funded in part by a three-year, $600,000 grant from Airbnb, aims to address the challenges faced by freelancers, contractors, and other gig workers who often have non-traditional income streams. It provides education, counseling, and access to mortgage products tailored for these borrowers, connecting them with lenders familiar with their unique financial profiles.
Michael Blaustein, Northeast Atlantic policy lead at Airbnb, stated that homeownership is a powerful tool for financial security and that gig workers should not be excluded from this opportunity. Molly Wasow Park, president and CEO of the NYC Housing Partnership, highlighted that many workers who are essential to the city's functioning are often excluded from traditional lending due to the lack of a W-2.
Since its founding over 40 years ago, the NYC Housing Partnership has been instrumental in creating and preserving more than 100,000 affordable housing units, leveraging significant private financing and housing subsidies.