Abad of CHI moderates panel discussion on affordable housing trends

Manhattan, NY Ron Abad, CEO of Community Housing Innovations (CHI), was the moderator of a panel on affordable housing trends at the state level. The panel was part of an all-day Affordable Housing Summit sponsored by City&State New York.

Panelists included Madeline Fletcher, vice president, small & mid-size development, NYS HCR; Denise Miranda, acting commissioner, NYS Division of Human Rights; Jeffrey Ginsburg, president & CEO, Volunteers of America – Greater NY, and Joel Kolkmann, senior vice president, real estate development and planning, Empire State Development.

Abad opened, noting the purpose of the panel was to explore the latest trends and developments in affordable housing at the New York state level, focusing on 1) funding opportunities and capital improvement initiatives, 2) innovative approaches to addressing the housing crisis and 3) availability and accessibility of affordable housing. Another panel scheduled right afterwards focused on New York City and the outer counties.

Fletcher discussed the Homeownership Development work at HCR, highlighting the Affordable Homeownership Opportunity Program, which provides construction and permanent funding for homeownership developments.

Miranda emphasized the importance of combating housing discrimination, particularly in the context of national origin and citizenship, and real estate appraisal discrimination, both barriers to the availability and accessibility of affordable housing for New Yorkers.

Ginsburg discussed the challenges of building and operating affordable housing, including the need for better compensation for nonprofit workers and the importance of partnerships.

Copeman explained the role of Empire State Development (ESD) in housing development, highlighting the agency’s history and tools for redevelopment, including tax incentives and zoning override. He said ESD is currently working on several housing projects, including the Creedmoor Psychiatric Center in eastern Queens and the Lincoln Correctional Facility in Harlem.

The keynote speaker was RuthAnne Visnauskas, commissioner and CEO of New York State Homes and Community Renewal. She highlighted key affordable housing initiatives included in the recently approved NYS budget.