By Martin Feng, Vision Times Staff
NEW YORK, New York — On May 30, New York City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) hosted a media roundtable with members of Asian and South Asian community and media outlets to address housing issues affecting local neighborhoods and share information about the tools and programs available to support residents.
Acting Commissioner Ahmed Tigani, alongside other HPD experts, answered questions and shared key updates about the agency’s mission, services, and future initiatives. Here were some of the highlights from the event:
HPD’s mission and community outreach
The event was moderated by Fernando Aquino, an HPD representative, who emphasized that the roundtable was part of the agency’s broader effort to strengthen community outreach. He underscored HPD’s commitment to keeping residents informed through trusted ethnic media partners, ensuring all New Yorkers are aware of the housing programs and services available to them.
HPD leaders from several key divisions offered briefings on their work and responsibilities, including:
1. Enforcement and neighborhood services
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Anne Marie Santiago, Deputy Commissioner for Enforcement and Neighborhood Services, detailed her division’s role in addressing housing maintenance complaints, conducting emergency repairs, and managing landlord registration. She reaffirmed HPD’s goal of mediating landlord-tenant disputes efficiently and fairly.
2. Housing accessibility
Meryl Bloch-Weissman, Deputy Commissioner for Housing Access and Stability, presented information on HPD’s Section 8 program — one of the city’s largest rental assistance efforts. She also introduced the Family Self-Sufficiency Program, which helps participating families build savings and receive job training. Bloch-Weissman highlighted the Housing Connect platform, which managed the affordable housing lottery and successfully matched more than 10,000 families with affordable units last year.
3. Housing opportunity and placement services
Emily Osgood, Deputy Commissioner for Housing Opportunity and Placement Services, described the Housing Ambassadors initiative, a partnership with nonprofit organizations to help residents navigate the complex housing lottery process. She emphasized that the Housing Connect system receives millions of applications each year, reflecting the scale of the city’s housing demand.
4. Neighborhood strategies
Michael Sandler, Deputy Commissioner for Neighborhood Strategies, discussed how HPD works with local organizations, distributing approximately $20 million annually to support around 80 nonprofits. These groups offer tenant and landlord education and counseling. He also noted HPD’s collaboration with the Department of City Planning to rezone underutilized city-owned land, transforming it into mixed-use developments that include affordable housing.
5. Housing development
Lucian Reynolds, Deputy Director of the Office of Development, explained how HPD uses a mix of federal, state, and city subsidies alongside private financing to develop and preserve affordable housing. He highlighted the agency’s focus on supportive housing for seniors and the homeless. In 2024, HPD created or preserved more than 28,000 affordable units, using tools such as Low-Income Housing Tax Credits — 14,000 of which were new constructions, with 13,000 preserved.
Spotlight: Redevelopment of 100 Gold Street
A major topic of discussion was the future of 100 Gold Street, HPD’s current headquarters. Built in the 1970s, the building faces steep maintenance costs — estimated at over $200 million — and is now slated for demolition and redevelopment. Under current zoning, the site can accommodate around 1,000 residential units, though with rezoning, that number could rise to 2,000. Of those, 25 percent (approximately 500 units) will be designated as income-restricted affordable housing — without relying on city subsidies.
HPD and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) have issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to developers. Submissions must consider existing zoning laws as well as the potential for rezoning. Proceeds from the redevelopment will fund new office space for HPD and other city agencies, benefiting approximately 2,000 employees with a modernized work environment.
Federal and local agencies
HPD addressed several questions from attendees regarding immigrant communities and clarified its partnership with federal housing authorities. As one of the city’s public housing agencies, HPD works closely with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer federal funding—including Community Development Block Grants and HOME funds — for projects such as emergency repairs, inspections, and senior housing.
The agency also operates the Housing Choice Voucher Program and collaborates with the NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA) to place homeless individuals and families in housing.
Looking ahead
HPD reiterated its mission to create, preserve, and protect affordable housing in New York City — especially as the city faces a historic low vacancy rate of just 1.4 percent in 2023. The agency emphasized the need for innovative financing tools, stronger partnerships with nonprofits, and broader outreach through ethnic media. Local reporters were urged to help amplify information on available housing opportunities and services in their communities.
The roundtable offered a comprehensive overview of HPD’s current efforts and future plans, with a particular focus on the high-stakes redevelopment of 100 Gold Street. HPD reaffirmed that meaningful community partnerships are key to meeting the city’s urgent housing needs and pledged to continue investing in policies that provide safe, affordable homes for all New Yorkers.
For more information on HPD programs, including details on housing assistance, and how to apply for affordable housing, please visit the official site here.
