Alumni gather to discuss Affordable Housing Policy in the 21st Century

NYU Wagner recently hosted "Affordable Housing Policy in the 21st Century," an informal alumni discussion moderated by Professor Katherine O'Regan, who served as the Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research at the US Department of Housing and Urban Development in the Obama Administration.

The dialogue explored a myriad of public policy challenges and opportunities that intersect with affordable housing policy in the United States, New York State, and New York City specifically. The group touched on many topics, including persistent challenges of rental affordability, the interplay of affordability and gentrification, and the intersection of resiliency and affordable housing.

Alumni from city agencies (NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development, NYC Office of Management and Budget), affordable housing development companies (Bronx Pro Group), community development lenders (Bank of America), and nonprofits (CSH, Citizens Housing and Planning Council, NYC Economic Development Corporation) were among those who brought to the discussion their expertise and insightful questions for their fellow graduates.

"It was a very informative and thought-provoking conversation around housing policy, especially as it relates to urban centers," said Rasheida Alston (MPA-PNP 2016), Associate Director of District Planning at the NYC DOE-Office of District Planning. "I was able to garner factual answers to questions around New York City's public housing policies that impact communities I serve because of respective Wagner Alumni having firsthand knowledge and experience with said policies being in the room."