The Plus One ADU Application: A Plain English Walkthrough

the Plus One ADU program just reopened on march 18, 2026, after being closed for over two years. it offers NYC homeowners up to $395,000 in low or no-interest loans and construction financing grants to build an accessory dwelling unit. the application deadline is june 12, 2026, and based on past rounds, funding will run out fast.

the first step is an intake survey hosted on ArcGIS (the city's survey platform). it looks simple, but some questions are confusing if you don't know what HPD is actually asking. this guide walks through every section of the survey in plain english so you know exactly what to expect and what to have ready.

you can start your application at nycadu.com/apply, which guides you through the process and links directly to the official survey.

what the Plus One program actually offers

before we get into the form, let's be clear about what you're applying for:

• up to $395,000 in combined financial support
• low or no-interest loans -- not a traditional mortgage rate
• construction financing grants -- money you may not have to pay back
• technical assistance -- HPD helps you navigate design, permitting, and construction

the program is administered by NYC's Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) with funding support from New York State's Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), which contributed $2.6 million in grant funding.

who qualifies for Plus One

before filling out the survey, confirm you meet the basic eligibility requirements:

requirement	details
income	up to 165% AMI (area median income). preference given to households at 120% AMI or below.
ownership	you must be the owner-occupant of the property. investors and landlords who don't live on-site are not eligible.
mortgage status	must be current on all existing mortgages. no delinquencies.
municipal arrears	no outstanding property tax, water, or sewer arrears (or must have an active payment plan).
property type	detached, semi-detached, or semi-attached home with 1-2 existing dwelling units.
code violations	property must be free of open DOB or HPD violations (except violations related to planned ADU work).
flood zone	property cannot be in the Special Coastal Risk District or 2050 Stormwater Flood areas.
ceiling height (basements)	basement conversions must meet minimum ceiling height requirements under Local Law 126.

not sure if your property qualifies? run our free eligibility check first -- it takes 30 seconds and covers most of these factors.

the ArcGIS intake survey: section by section

the official intake survey is hosted at an ArcGIS Survey123 link. here's what you'll encounter in each section and what they're really asking.

section 1: contact information

straightforward -- your name, email, phone number. use the email you check most frequently because HPD will send all follow-up communications there. if your application moves forward, they'll send the formal application to this address.

tip: use a personal email, not a work email. this process can take months and you don't want to miss a notification if you change jobs.

section 2: property address

enter the full address of the property where you want to build the ADU. this must be the property you own and live in. HPD will cross-reference this with city property records (ACRIS, DOF) to verify ownership.

what they're checking: that the address exists in their database, that it's zoned for residential use, and that it's a one- or two-family building type.

section 3: property ownership details

this section asks about your ownership structure. expect questions like:

• how long have you owned the property? -- there's no minimum ownership period, but longer ownership can help your application.
• is the property in a trust or LLC? -- the program requires individual ownership. if your property is in an LLC, you may need to restructure before applying.
• are you current on your mortgage? -- answer honestly. they will verify this.
• do you have any outstanding municipal liens or arrears? -- property taxes, water bills, sewer charges. if you have an active payment plan, note that here.

section 4: current building description

describe your existing home. the survey will ask about:

• number of existing dwelling units -- is it currently a one-family or two-family?
• building type -- detached (free-standing), semi-detached (shares one wall), or semi-attached.
• do you have a basement, garage, or usable yard space? -- this helps HPD assess what type of ADU is feasible on your lot.
• approximate lot size -- if you don't know, you can look this up on the city's ZoLa map or use our eligibility tool which displays lot information.

section 5: ADU type interest

HPD wants to know what kind of ADU you're thinking about. options typically include:

• basement conversion -- converting existing below-grade space
• garage conversion -- turning an attached or detached garage into a dwelling unit
• attic conversion -- converting upper-floor space (one-family homes only)
• new detached structure -- a backyard cottage built from scratch
• new attached structure -- an addition to the existing building

tip: if you're unsure which type is best for your property, select all that apply. HPD's technical team will help you narrow it down during the feasibility review. you can also compare your options using our pre-approved plans page.

section 6: household income

this is the section that makes people nervous. they're asking for your total household income -- everyone who lives at the property and is on the deed.

what counts as income: wages, salary, self-employment income, social security, pension, disability payments, rental income from existing units, and investment income.

the threshold: you can earn up to 165% of area median income (AMI). for NYC in 2026, the AMI thresholds vary by household size. for reference, 165% AMI for a family of four is approximately $250,000. preference is given to households at 120% AMI or below (approximately $182,000 for a family of four).

you don't need to submit proof of income with the intake survey. that comes later if you're selected for the full application.

section 7: intended use

HPD asks what you plan to use the ADU for:

• rental income -- renting to a tenant at market rate or below
• family housing -- an aging parent, adult child, or other family member
• personal use -- home office, studio, or other non-rental purpose

what they want to hear: there's no wrong answer, but the program is designed to add housing supply. indicating rental income or family housing aligns most closely with the program's goals.

documents to have ready for the full application

the intake survey doesn't require document uploads, but if you pass the initial screening and receive a formal application, you'll need:

document	why they need it
consecutive pay stubs (2-3 months)	income verification
bank statements (all accounts, 2-3 months)	asset verification
most recent federal tax return	income verification
pension / social security statements	if applicable
deed or proof of ownership	property ownership verification
current mortgage statement	debt and payment status
property tax bill	confirms no arrears
water/sewer bill	confirms no municipal arrears
$200 non-refundable application fee	required with formal application

pro tip: start gathering these now, even before you submit the intake survey. if HPD moves you to the full application stage, you'll have a limited window to submit everything. being prepared gives you an edge.

what happens after you submit the survey

here's the timeline you should expect:

1. intake survey submitted -- you'll get a confirmation email.
2. initial site feasibility review -- HPD's team reviews your property against their eligibility criteria. this can take several weeks.
3. invitation to apply -- if your property passes the feasibility review, you'll receive the formal application and document checklist.
4. full application + $200 fee -- submit your completed application with all supporting documents.
5. underwriting and approval -- HPD reviews your financials and finalizes the loan/grant terms.
6. design and construction -- HPD's technical assistance team helps coordinate design, permitting, and construction.

the entire process from survey to construction can take 6-12 months, so the sooner you submit, the better.

tips to strengthen your application

• submit the intake survey early. don't wait until june. HPD reviews on a rolling basis and funding is limited.
• be honest about income. they will verify it. overstating or understating creates problems later.
• clear up any violations first. check your property on the DOB BIS (building information system) and HPD's online portal for open violations. resolve them before applying.
• have a clear idea of your ADU type. showing that you've done your homework (browsed pre-approved plans, checked eligibility, understand your lot) signals that you're a serious applicant.
• use nycadu.com as your planning hub. our document checklist, ROI calculator, and financing guide help you prepare a stronger application by understanding the full picture before you submit.

questions about the Plus One application?

HPD's dedicated team handles Plus One inquiries at PlusOneADU@hpd.nyc.gov. for general ADU questions and help navigating the process, contact us at info@nycadu.com.

the Plus One program is a rare opportunity -- $395,000 in financing at favorable terms doesn't come around often. the last time it opened, 1,300 applications landed in two weeks. don't sleep on this.

start your application now: nycadu.com/apply