2025 Affordable Housing Summit - Home

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2025 Affordable Housing Summit

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The Affordable Housing Summit brings together professionals, policymakers, developers, and advocates to discuss innovative solutions for tackling the growing need for affordable housing. The event features panel discussions, workshops, and presentations on topics such as sustainable development, financing strategies, zoning laws, and community-driven initiatives. Attendees will have the opportunity to network, share best practices, and explore new partnerships aimed at making housing more accessible and affordable for all New Yorkers. This conference is a crucial gathering for those committed to shaping the future of affordable housing in one of the most dynamic and diverse cities in the world.

Attend the Event

Museum of Jewish Heritage

36 Battery Place

New York, NY 10280

Museum of Jewish Heritage

36 Battery Place

New York, NY 10280

May 08, 2025

May 08, 2025

9:00 AM - 3:30 PM

9:00 AM - 3:30 PM

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Agenda

Times are subject to change.

10:00 AM EDT Thursday, May 08

Welcoming Remarks

5 minutes
Ralph Ortega
Ralph Ortega
Editor in Chief
City & State New York
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10:05 AM EDT Thursday, May 08

Keynote Remarks

25 minutes
RuthAnne Visnauskas
RuthAnne Visnauskas
Commissioner and CEO
New York State Homes and Community Renewal
Read More
10:30 AM EDT Thursday, May 08

Affordable Housing Trends at the State Level

1 hour

This panel will explore the latest trends and developments in affordable housing policy
across New York State. Experts from government, housing agencies, and the private
sector will discuss the evolving landscape of affordable housing, including state-level
capital improvement initiatives, funding opportunities, and regulatory changes. The
discussion will highlight innovative approaches to addressing the housing crisis, such as
new zoning reforms, affordable housing financing models, and community-driven
projects. Attendees will gain insights into how state policies are shaping the availability
and accessibility of affordable housing, and how these trends can inform future strategies
for creating sustainable, equitable housing solutions throughout the state.

This panel will explore the latest trends and developments in affordable housing policy
across New York State. Experts from government, housing agencies, and the private
sector will discuss the evolving landscape of affordable housing, including state-level
capital improvement initiatives, funding opportunities, and regulatory changes. The
discussion will highlight innovative approaches to addressing the housing crisis, such as
new zoning reforms, affordable housing financing models, and community-driven
projects. Attendees will gain insights into how state policies are shaping the availability
and accessibility of affordable housing, and how these trends can inform future strategies
for creating sustainable, equitable housing solutions throughout the state.

Ron Abad (Moderator)
Ron Abad (Moderator)
Chief Executive Officer
Community Housing Innovations, Inc.
Madeline Fletcher
Madeline Fletcher
Vice President, Small & Mid-Size Development
NYS Homes & Community Renewal
Denise Miranda
Denise Miranda
Acting Commissioner
NYS Division of Human Rights
Jeffrey Ginsburg
Jeffrey Ginsburg
President & CEO
Volunteers of America - Greater New York
Joel Kolkmann
Joel Kolkmann
Senior Vice President, Real Estate Development and Planning
Empire State Development
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11:30 AM EDT Thursday, May 08

Affordable Housing Solutions for New York's Cities and Counties

1 hour

New York State is facing a critical need for affordable housing, with growing populations in cities and counties struggling to find secure, stable living options. This panel will explore innovative and practical solutions to address the affordable housing crisis across New York's diverse regions.  We will discuss the pressing issues facing various city’s affordable housing market, such as rising rent prices, income inequality, and the limited availability of affordable units. The discussion will also explore potential solutions, including policy reforms, zoning changes, and innovative financing models aimed at increasing affordable housing stock.

New York State is facing a critical need for affordable housing, with growing populations in cities and counties struggling to find secure, stable living options. This panel will explore innovative and practical solutions to address the affordable housing crisis across New York's diverse regions.  We will discuss the pressing issues facing various city’s affordable housing market, such as rising rent prices, income inequality, and the limited availability of affordable units. The discussion will also explore potential solutions, including policy reforms, zoning changes, and innovative financing models aimed at increasing affordable housing stock.

Katrell Lewis (Moderator)
Katrell Lewis (Moderator)
Principal
Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies
Leila Bozorg
Leila Bozorg
Executive Director for Housing
City of New York
Blanca P. Lopez
Blanca P. Lopez
Commissioner of Planning
Westchester County
Dr. Xellex Rivera
Dr. Xellex Rivera
Chief Program Officer
Housing Solutions of New York (HSNY)
Cindy Cohen
Cindy Cohen
Principal, Advisory
KPMG
David Quart
David Quart
Real Estate Market Leader
VHB
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12:30 PM EDT Thursday, May 08

1:30 PM EDT Thursday, May 08

 

 

The Affordable Housing Construction Pipeline

1 hour

This panel will focus on the current state of the affordable housing construction pipeline in New York. Industry experts, developers, and policymakers will discuss the challenges and opportunities in building affordable housing, including navigating zoning regulations, red tape, securing financing, addressing construction delays and all the challenges, etc..The panel will highlight the Pro-Housing Community Program, ongoing projects, emerging trends, and the role of public-private partnerships in accelerating the development of affordable housing across the state. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the strategies and innovations driving this pipeline and learn about efforts to meet the growing demand for affordable homes in New York’s rapidly changing landscape.

This panel will focus on the current state of the affordable housing construction pipeline in New York. Industry experts, developers, and policymakers will discuss the challenges and opportunities in building affordable housing, including navigating zoning regulations, red tape, securing financing, addressing construction delays and all the challenges, etc..The panel will highlight the Pro-Housing Community Program, ongoing projects, emerging trends, and the role of public-private partnerships in accelerating the development of affordable housing across the state. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the strategies and innovations driving this pipeline and learn about efforts to meet the growing demand for affordable homes in New York’s rapidly changing landscape.

John Celock (moderator)
John Celock (moderator)
Special Projects Editor
City & State NY
Robert Holbrook
Robert Holbrook
Executive Director
Get Stuff Built at City of New York
Pierina Sanchez
Pierina Sanchez
Council Member
Chair, Committee on Housing and Buildings
Kim Darga
Kim Darga
Deputy Commissioner for Development
NYC Department of Housing & Preservation
Arlo Chase
Arlo Chase
Senior Vice President of Real Estate and Property Development
Services for the UnderServed
Brett J. Gottlieb
Brett J. Gottlieb
Partner
Herrick, Feinstein LLP
Peter Florey
Peter Florey
President
New York State Builders Association
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2:30 PM EDT Thursday, May 08

A Vision for Safe, High-Quality, Affordable Homes for All New Yorkers

1 hour

This panel will explore how affordable housing in New York can promote stability, sustainability, and health. The discussion will focus on expanding affordable homeownership, integrating eco-friendly building practices and smart technologies, and improving social service delivery to enhance affordable housing’s efficacy. Panelists will also examine how safe, stable housing can improve public health and contribute to more resilient public systems. Additional topics include modernizing public housing, preserving affordability, reducing administrative barriers, and addressing homelessness. The conversation will highlight how affordable housing can be made more accessible, supportive, and transformative for all New Yorkers.

This panel will explore how affordable housing in New York can promote stability, sustainability, and health. The discussion will focus on expanding affordable homeownership, integrating eco-friendly building practices and smart technologies, and improving social service delivery to enhance affordable housing’s efficacy. Panelists will also examine how safe, stable housing can improve public health and contribute to more resilient public systems. Additional topics include modernizing public housing, preserving affordability, reducing administrative barriers, and addressing homelessness. The conversation will highlight how affordable housing can be made more accessible, supportive, and transformative for all New Yorkers.

Amit Baggai (Moderator)
Amit Baggai (Moderator)
Founder & Principal
Public Progress Solutions
Michael Reed
Michael Reed
Acting Head of Large Buildings
NYSERDA
Leora Jontef
Leora Jontef
Senior Assistant Vice President, Housing + Real Estate
NYC Health + Hospitals
Meghan Smith
Meghan Smith
Associate Commissioner for Rehousing Operations
NYC Department of Homeless Services
TBA
TBA
Speaker
Kinetic Communities
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3:30 PM EDT Thursday, May 08

Underwriters