Queens homeowners have a shrinking window to apply for one of the most significant housing finance programs New York City has offered in years. The Plus One ADU Program, which provides up to $395,000 in combined grants and low-interest loans to help eligible homeowners build an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on their property, is accepting applications through June 12, 2026. Queens has more eligible properties than any other borough — and most homeowners who qualify haven’t applied yet.
An ADU is a small, independent residential unit on the same lot as your primary home — a finished basement apartment, a garage conversion, an attic unit, an addition, or a newly built backyard cottage. ADUs can house a family member, generate rental income, or add long-term value to your property.
What the Program Offers
According to NYC’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), which administers the program with the New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), the Plus One ADU Program provides:
- Up to $175,000 as a grant (no repayment required) from NYS HCR
- Up to $220,000 as a low-interest or deferred loan from NYC HPD (0%–5% interest, 15–30 year term; some lower-income owners may qualify for a deferred-forgivable loan)
- Technical support throughout the entire process, from pre-development to construction completion, administered by Restored Homes HDFC
- Access to a library of DOB pre-approved ADU plans, which can significantly shorten the permitting process
The program was relaunched in March 2026 under Mayor Mamdani after a two-year pause. More than 3,100 homeowners citywide had already submitted intake surveys when the application reopened. The June 12 date is the close of the current intake window.
Who Qualifies in Queens
Per HPD’s program page (verified June 2026), eligible homeowners must:
- Own and occupy a one- or two-family detached or semi-detached home in New York City
- Have household income at or below 165% of the Area Median Income (AMI) — preference goes to households at 120% AMI or below (roughly $182,000 for a family of four at 120% AMI)
- Be current on any existing mortgage
- Have no outstanding city liens or arrears (or be in an active payment plan)
For basement conversions specifically, the space must meet ceiling height requirements and must not be located in the 2050 Stormwater Flood area or the 2080 100-year coastal flood zone per FEMA flood maps.
Queens has an estimated 28,400 eligible properties — more than any other borough — largely because of the borough’s extensive stock of privately owned one- and two-family homes in neighborhoods like Jamaica, Flushing, Woodhaven, Richmond Hill, Springfield Gardens, and Southeast Queens.
How to Apply Before June 12
The application process starts with an online intake survey — not a full application. You submit your interest, HPD conducts a quick site feasibility review, and eligible homeowners are then contacted with an official program application. There is a $200 non-refundable fee at the application stage.
To submit your intake survey, go directly to HPD’s Plus One ADU page at nyc.gov/site/hpd/services-and-information/plus-one-adu.page and click the intake survey link. Submitting the survey does not guarantee acceptance or funding — but it is the only way to get into the pipeline before this window closes.
HPD reviews applications on a rolling basis. Early applicants have a structural advantage because funding is allocated from a limited pool and earlier submissions enter the review queue first.
The Zoning Change That Made More Queens Properties Eligible
A key reason Queens has so many eligible properties now is the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity zoning amendment, approved by the City Council in December 2024. For the first time, ADUs were formally defined in the city’s zoning code, and new rules allowed detached backyard units within a half-mile of most mass transit stations — a definition that covers large parts of Queens. HPD conducted a secondary review of its initial intake pool after these zoning changes took effect, adding previously ineligible properties back into the program.
What You Need to Know
- The Plus One ADU Program intake window closes June 12, 2026
- Queens has the most eligible properties of any borough — an estimated 28,400 homes qualify
- The program offers up to $395,000 in combined grants and loans ($175K grant + $220K loan)
- Eligible homeowners must own and occupy a 1-2 family home and earn under 165% AMI
- The intake survey (not the full application) is the first step — submit at NYC HPD’s Plus One ADU page
- ADU types include basement apartments, attic conversions, garage conversions, additions, and detached backyard units
- Pre-approved DOB design plans are available to speed up permitting
- For questions, contact HPD at PlusOneADU@hpd.nyc.gov or 100 Gold Street, Room 9S-11, Manhattan
For more on NYC homeowner programs, see our NYC Property Tax Bill guide and our SCHE senior homeowner property tax reduction guide.
Primary source: NYC HPD Plus One ADU Program page
