Assistant Counsel

About the role

This position is with the Housing Trust Fund Corporation (HTFC) within New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), the State’s affordable housing agency. The Office of Legal Affairs, headed by a General Counsel, provides legal advice, counsel, and representation to all agency offices and program areas, ensuring compliance with federal and state legal mandates. The primary functions are organized within four major subject matter areas: General Law, Litigation, Hearings, and Transactions.

The role is a real estate transactional attorney within the fast‑paced DHCR/HTFC real property unit, representing the Agency in complex construction and permanent lending and mortgage financing of multi‑family affordable housing. The attorney will gain knowledge of state and federal housing programs, statutes, and regulations, and must be capable of applying Private Housing Finance Law and other applicable laws and rules when negotiating and drafting agreements and legal documents.

Responsibilities

• Handle State and Federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit (SLIHC/LIHTC) funding transactions, including regulatory agreements, bindings, carry‑over reviews, SLIHC bifurcation, and transfer transactions.
• Manage refinances, workouts, and other portfolio needs as assigned.
• Take on additional programs and projects as the needs of the unit evolve.
• Negotiate and draft legal documents and agreements for multi‑family affordable housing construction and permanent lending.
• Apply Private Housing Finance Law and other relevant statutes and regulations in transactional work.

Qualifications

• Law degree from an accredited law school.
• Admission to, and member in good standing of, the New York State Bar.
• Two years of relevant post‑bar experience.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills.

This job description is not intended to be all inclusive; the employee will be expected to perform other reasonably related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Extensive benefits package including participation in New York State’s Health Insurance Program and New York State & Local Employees’ Retirement System.
• Promotional opportunities for dedicated professionals.
• Work‑life balance benefits: 37.5‑hour work week, opportunity for compressed scheduling, and paid time off (vacation, sick, personal days, and federal holidays).
• 12 weeks of Paid Parental Leave.
• Paid Family Leave.
• Eligibility for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) — forgives remaining Direct Loan balance after 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full‑time for an eligible employer.

About New York State Homes and Community Renewal

Under the leadership of Governor Kathy Hochul and Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas, HCR is a vibrant, innovative agency that integrates and leverages New York State’s housing resources. Offices are located in New York City, Albany, Buffalo, and Syracuse, employing a diverse workforce of professionals committed to serving low‑ and moderate‑income families. The mission encompasses single and multifamily housing finance, home improvement, rent regulation, housing subsidies, and community development. HCR partners regularly with public and private stakeholders and seeks to provide a workplace that is productive, flexible, accountable, ethical, and caring, empowering employees to make a difference where they live and work.