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NY Affordable Housing Summit 2026

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The Affordable Housing Summit brings together policymakers, developers, advocates, and community leaders to address the housing crisis in New York. Centered on expanding and preserving affordable housing, the summit explores solutions such as increasing supply, reforming zoning, strengthening tenant protections, advancing homeownership opportunities, and leveraging public-private partnerships. Through focused discussions and collaborative dialogue, the event aims to drive practical, scalable strategies that make housing more accessible and sustainable for New Yorkers at every income level.

Attend the Event

Thursday, May 7, 2026

Thursday, May 7, 2026

9:00 am - 3:30 pm

9:00 am - 3:30 pm

Museum of Jewish Heritage

36 Battery Place

2nd Floor Events Hall

New York, NY 10208

Museum of Jewish Heritage

36 Battery Place

2nd Floor Events Hall

New York, NY 10208

Dress Attire: 

Parking Information:

Sponsorship & Ticket Information:

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Agenda

9:00 AM EDT

1 HR
9:00 AM EDT 1 HR

Registration & Networking Breakfast

10:00 AM EDT

5 MINS
10:00 AM EDT 5 MINS

Welcoming Remarks

10:05 AM EDT

25 MINS
10:05 AM EDT 25 MINS

Keynote Speaker Remarks

RuthAnne Visnauskas
RuthAnne Visnauskas
Commissioner and CEO
New York State Homes and Community Renewal
RuthAnne Visnauskas
RuthAnne Visnauskas
Commissioner and CEO
New York State Homes and Community Renewal
RuthAnne Visnauskas
RuthAnne Visnauskas
Commissioner and CEO
New York State Homes and Community Renewal

10:30 AM EDT

1 HR
10:30 AM EDT 1 HR

Affordable Housing Trends in NY

Seth Bynum
Seth Bynum
Senior Advisor for Housing Policy and Development
Deputy Mayor for Housing + Planning
Edith Hsu-Chen
Edith Hsu-Chen
Executive Director
New York City Department of City Planning
Adam Phillips
Adam Phillips
First Deputy Commissioner
New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development
David Quart
David Quart
Principal/ Northeast Markets Development Lead
VHB

This panel examines state-level affordable housing trends across New York’s urban, suburban,] and rural communities. Amid rising rents and limited supply, leadership under Governor Hochul is key to unlocking resources, reforming regulations, and accelerating production. Experts from government, housing agencies, and the private sector will discuss funding, capital initiatives, zoning reforms, financing models, and community-driven strategies—along with how these efforts align with Mayor Mandani’s priorities on tenant protections, housing justice, and public investment to advance equitable, long-term housing outcomes statewide.

Seth Bynum
Seth Bynum
Senior Advisor for Housing Policy and Development
Deputy Mayor for Housing + Planning
Edith Hsu-Chen
Edith Hsu-Chen
Executive Director
New York City Department of City Planning
Adam Phillips
Adam Phillips
First Deputy Commissioner
New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development
David Quart
David Quart
Principal/ Northeast Markets Development Lead
VHB

This panel examines state-level affordable housing trends across New York’s urban, suburban,] and rural communities. Amid rising rents and limited supply, leadership under Governor Hochul is key to unlocking resources, reforming regulations, and accelerating production. Experts from government, housing agencies, and the private sector will discuss funding, capital initiatives, zoning reforms, financing models, and community-driven strategies—along with how these efforts align with Mayor Mandani’s priorities on tenant protections, housing justice, and public investment to advance equitable, long-term housing outcomes statewide.

Seth Bynum
Edith Hsu-Chen
+2
2 more speakers

This panel examines state-level affordable housing trends across New York’s urban, suburban,] and rural communities. Amid rising rents and limited supply, leadership under Governor Hochul is key to unlocking resources, reforming regulations, and accelerating production. Experts from government, housing agencies, and the private sector will discuss funding, capital initiatives, zoning reforms, financing models, and community-driven strategies—along with how these efforts align with Mayor Mandani’s priorities on tenant protections, housing justice, and public investment to advance equitable, long-term housing outcomes statewide.

Seth Bynum
Seth Bynum
Senior Advisor for Housing Policy and Development
Deputy Mayor for Housing + Planning
Edith Hsu-Chen
Edith Hsu-Chen
Executive Director
New York City Department of City Planning
Adam Phillips
Adam Phillips
First Deputy Commissioner
New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development
David Quart
David Quart
Principal/ Northeast Markets Development Lead
VHB

This panel examines state-level affordable housing trends across New York’s urban, suburban,] and rural communities. Amid rising rents and limited supply, leadership under Governor Hochul is key to unlocking resources, reforming regulations, and accelerating production. Experts from government, housing agencies, and the private sector will discuss funding, capital initiatives, zoning reforms, financing models, and community-driven strategies—along with how these efforts align with Mayor Mandani’s priorities on tenant protections, housing justice, and public investment to advance equitable, long-term housing outcomes statewide.

Seth Bynum
Edith Hsu-Chen
+2
2 more speakers

11:30 AM EDT

1 HR
11:30 AM EDT 1 HR

Affordable Housing Solutions for New York's Cities and Counties

Blanca Lopez
Blanca Lopez
Commissioner
Westchester Department of Planning
Daniel P. McCoy,
Daniel P. McCoy,
County Executive
Albany County

New York faces urgent housing challenges; growing populations in cities, suburbs, and counties struggle to find stable, affordable homes. This panel will focus on practical, community-level solutions to expand access, preserve affordability, and reduce financial burdens. Panelists will address rising rents, income inequality, limited housing stock, and the impact of utility, property tax, and home insurance costs. Discussions will explore zoning reforms, policy initiatives, creative financing models, and programs supporting home maintenance and repairs. Attendees will gain actionable insights for local leaders seeking sustainable, equitable, and locally tailored housing strategies.

Blanca Lopez
Blanca Lopez
Commissioner
Westchester Department of Planning
Daniel P. McCoy,
Daniel P. McCoy,
County Executive
Albany County

New York faces urgent housing challenges; growing populations in cities, suburbs, and counties struggle to find stable, affordable homes. This panel will focus on practical, community-level solutions to expand access, preserve affordability, and reduce financial burdens. Panelists will address rising rents, income inequality, limited housing stock, and the impact of utility, property tax, and home insurance costs. Discussions will explore zoning reforms, policy initiatives, creative financing models, and programs supporting home maintenance and repairs. Attendees will gain actionable insights for local leaders seeking sustainable, equitable, and locally tailored housing strategies.

New York faces urgent housing challenges; growing populations in cities, suburbs, and counties struggle to find stable, affordable homes. This panel will focus on practical, community-level solutions to expand access, preserve affordability, and reduce financial burdens. Panelists will address rising rents, income inequality, limited housing stock, and the impact of utility, property tax, and home insurance costs. Discussions will explore zoning reforms, policy initiatives, creative financing models, and programs supporting home maintenance and repairs. Attendees will gain actionable insights for local leaders seeking sustainable, equitable, and locally tailored housing strategies.

Blanca Lopez
Blanca Lopez
Commissioner
Westchester Department of Planning
Daniel P. McCoy,
Daniel P. McCoy,
County Executive
Albany County

New York faces urgent housing challenges; growing populations in cities, suburbs, and counties struggle to find stable, affordable homes. This panel will focus on practical, community-level solutions to expand access, preserve affordability, and reduce financial burdens. Panelists will address rising rents, income inequality, limited housing stock, and the impact of utility, property tax, and home insurance costs. Discussions will explore zoning reforms, policy initiatives, creative financing models, and programs supporting home maintenance and repairs. Attendees will gain actionable insights for local leaders seeking sustainable, equitable, and locally tailored housing strategies.

12:00 PM EDT

1 HR
12:00 PM EDT 1 HR

Lunch

1:30 PM EDT

1 HR
1:30 PM EDT 1 HR

The Affordable Housing Construction Pipeline

Ahmed Tigani
Ahmed Tigani
Commissioner
NYC Buildings Department
Vlada Kenniff
Vlada Kenniff
President
New York City Housing Preservation Trust
Will Innes
Will Innes
Chief of Staff
New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development

This panel explores how New York is accelerating affordable housing construction to meet urgent statewide needs. Policymakers, developers, and industry leaders will address zoning, permitting, and financing barriers, while highlighting the Pro-Housing Community Program, public-private partnerships, and climate-resilient innovations. Panelists will also discuss long-term maintenance strategies and how these efforts align with Governor Hochul and Mayor Mandani’s goals to expand supply, reduce bottlenecks, and deliver safe, high-quality homes statewide.

Ahmed Tigani
Ahmed Tigani
Commissioner
NYC Buildings Department
Vlada Kenniff
Vlada Kenniff
President
New York City Housing Preservation Trust
Will Innes
Will Innes
Chief of Staff
New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development

This panel explores how New York is accelerating affordable housing construction to meet urgent statewide needs. Policymakers, developers, and industry leaders will address zoning, permitting, and financing barriers, while highlighting the Pro-Housing Community Program, public-private partnerships, and climate-resilient innovations. Panelists will also discuss long-term maintenance strategies and how these efforts align with Governor Hochul and Mayor Mandani’s goals to expand supply, reduce bottlenecks, and deliver safe, high-quality homes statewide.

This panel explores how New York is accelerating affordable housing construction to meet urgent statewide needs. Policymakers, developers, and industry leaders will address zoning, permitting, and financing barriers, while highlighting the Pro-Housing Community Program, public-private partnerships, and climate-resilient innovations. Panelists will also discuss long-term maintenance strategies and how these efforts align with Governor Hochul and Mayor Mandani’s goals to expand supply, reduce bottlenecks, and deliver safe, high-quality homes statewide.

Ahmed Tigani
Ahmed Tigani
Commissioner
NYC Buildings Department
Vlada Kenniff
Vlada Kenniff
President
New York City Housing Preservation Trust
Will Innes
Will Innes
Chief of Staff
New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development

This panel explores how New York is accelerating affordable housing construction to meet urgent statewide needs. Policymakers, developers, and industry leaders will address zoning, permitting, and financing barriers, while highlighting the Pro-Housing Community Program, public-private partnerships, and climate-resilient innovations. Panelists will also discuss long-term maintenance strategies and how these efforts align with Governor Hochul and Mayor Mandani’s goals to expand supply, reduce bottlenecks, and deliver safe, high-quality homes statewide.

2:30 PM EDT

1 HR
2:30 PM EDT 1 HR

Building Safe, Affordable Homes for Every New Yorker

Samantha Pearce
Samantha Pearce
VP of Sustainability
NYS Homes & Community Renewal
Leora Jontef
Leora Jontef
Assistant Vice President of Housing and Real Estate
NYC Health + Hospitals
Arvind Sohoni
Arvind Sohoni
Executive Vice President of Strategy & Innovation
New York City Housing Authority
Dr. Xellex Rivera
Dr. Xellex Rivera
Chief Program Officer
Housing Solutions New York, Inc

This panel explores how affordable housing can strengthen communities across New York by promoting stability, sustainability, and health. Panelists will discuss expanding homeownership, advancing energy-efficient upgrades and smart technologies, enhancing social services, and modernizing public housing. The conversation will also address eviction prevention, right-to counsel protections, and strategies to preserve affordability—highlighting how holistic housing policies can foster resilience, reduce homelessness, and create equitable outcomes for all New Yorkers.

Samantha Pearce
Samantha Pearce
VP of Sustainability
NYS Homes & Community Renewal
Leora Jontef
Leora Jontef
Assistant Vice President of Housing and Real Estate
NYC Health + Hospitals
Arvind Sohoni
Arvind Sohoni
Executive Vice President of Strategy & Innovation
New York City Housing Authority
Dr. Xellex Rivera
Dr. Xellex Rivera
Chief Program Officer
Housing Solutions New York, Inc

This panel explores how affordable housing can strengthen communities across New York by promoting stability, sustainability, and health. Panelists will discuss expanding homeownership, advancing energy-efficient upgrades and smart technologies, enhancing social services, and modernizing public housing. The conversation will also address eviction prevention, right-to counsel protections, and strategies to preserve affordability—highlighting how holistic housing policies can foster resilience, reduce homelessness, and create equitable outcomes for all New Yorkers.

Samantha Pearce
Leora Jontef
+2
2 more speakers

This panel explores how affordable housing can strengthen communities across New York by promoting stability, sustainability, and health. Panelists will discuss expanding homeownership, advancing energy-efficient upgrades and smart technologies, enhancing social services, and modernizing public housing. The conversation will also address eviction prevention, right-to counsel protections, and strategies to preserve affordability—highlighting how holistic housing policies can foster resilience, reduce homelessness, and create equitable outcomes for all New Yorkers.

Samantha Pearce
Samantha Pearce
VP of Sustainability
NYS Homes & Community Renewal
Leora Jontef
Leora Jontef
Assistant Vice President of Housing and Real Estate
NYC Health + Hospitals
Arvind Sohoni
Arvind Sohoni
Executive Vice President of Strategy & Innovation
New York City Housing Authority
Dr. Xellex Rivera
Dr. Xellex Rivera
Chief Program Officer
Housing Solutions New York, Inc

This panel explores how affordable housing can strengthen communities across New York by promoting stability, sustainability, and health. Panelists will discuss expanding homeownership, advancing energy-efficient upgrades and smart technologies, enhancing social services, and modernizing public housing. The conversation will also address eviction prevention, right-to counsel protections, and strategies to preserve affordability—highlighting how holistic housing policies can foster resilience, reduce homelessness, and create equitable outcomes for all New Yorkers.

Samantha Pearce
Leora Jontef
+2
2 more speakers

3:30 PM EDT

3:30 PM EDT

Sessions Conclude

Underwriters

Silver

Bronze