Current and Past CHIP executive directors at CHIP’s 50th Anniversary Party.Shown (from left) are: Dan Margulies, Claudia Justy and Patrick Siconolfi
New York, NY Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP) is New York City’s preeminent housing advocacy organization. Founded in 1966, CHIP was formed to represent the rights of residential real estate owners during a time of sweeping change and reform in the industry.
Now, in its 50th year, CHIP represents more than 3,500 multifamily properties and 400,000 units of housing throughout the five boroughs. The organization continues to advance its objectives and to stand out as a key voice for city property owners, representing their interests at the city, state and federal levels.
CHIP advocates on behalf of every member in the fight for building owner rights, encouraging the exchange of information and presenting opportunities to network. It provides a telephone helpline to answer owners’ questions about city and state agencies and to help owners navigate various government offices.
CHIP president Matthew Engel and his father, Mark Engel of Langsam Property Services Corp.As a reliable source of knowledge, CHIP circulates reports and critical housing news through its publication The New York Housing Journal, email blasts, networking events, and annual seminars. Its leadership advises the public and influential figures on various topics such as rent regulations, energy benchmarking, water rates, lead paint, taxes, zoning, and other housing-related laws and regulations. The organization also maintains a list of product and service vendors who have successfully completed projects for other CHIP members to help promote dependable industry relationships.
“I have been a member of CHIP for the past seven years. I also belong to other property owner groups. However, CHIP is where I get the most practical and helpful information. When I bought my first apartment house, I found myself in a regulatory nightmare. I called CHIP and was immediately referred to another CHIP owner with experience with my problem. I followed his advice, cleared the problem with the DHCR, and avoided a costly rent reduction. You can bet I’ll be a life-long member of CHIP,” said building owner, David Thomson.
The association has also played crucial roles in the intervention of certain legal proceedings where important principles of concern to the industry are at stake. The organization provides immense support to government regulations which favor housing development, investment and maintenance to guarantee equal opportunities for the city’s real estate community.
CHIP’s annual fall cocktail party at NYC Public Library’s Astor HallRecently, CHIP, in a joint motion with RSA and REBNY, was granted approval to file an amicus curiae brief by the Appellate Division, First Department. The case declared that an owner cannot count vacancy increase allowance when a unit’s rent meets the deregulation threshold of $2,700/month. With the help of the amicus, CHIP has helped support the owner in appealing this order. If passed, the case will then be sent to the Court of Appeals. CHIP has been actively rallying behind the owner defendant to advocate for an appeal and the abolishment of the wrongful regulation.
One of CHIP’s annual networking events is its fall cocktail party. This year’s event brought together 800 industry professionals at the NYC Public Library’s Astor Hall. With an increasing number of attendees each year, CHIP members gather in a social setting to network and hear about relevant industry topics and upcoming advocacy efforts.
Earlier this year, back in September, CHIP celebrated its 50th anniversary with a successful gathering of its members and affiliates at Park Ave.’s Club 101. Attended by more than 200 industry leaders, the event honored CHIP’s founding members who are still active with the organization today along with past and current presidents including: Matthew Engel of Langsam Property Services Corp.; Nicholas Petras Jr. of Stone Properties Group; Bonnie Haber of Corporate Calm; Aaron Sirulnick of Ditmas Management; Paul Brensilber of Jordan Cooper Associates and Barry Rudofsky of Bronstein Properties.
Speaking at the 50th anniversary celebration, CHIP President Matthew Engel–who has been involved in the industry for nearly 20 years, and joined the organization as a member back in 2002–reflected, “At CHIP, our primary focus is to push forward the agenda of successful housing operations and to prevent further expansion of harmful government policies. These things can greatly impact a neighborhood.”
CHIP’s support of appropriate policies to make New York City’s housing stock a safe and trustworthy place for living will carry into the upcoming year as the organization’s efforts continue to strengthen and grow.
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