On Thursday, August 18th, NYHC and the RLN hosted the third of our Summer Seminar Series with a panel focused on affordable homeownership financing in New York. New York City and New York State need to expand homeownership opportunities so that more New Yorkers can share in the wealth-building and other benefits of owning their own home. This is particularly important given a history of housing discrimination that, in New York City, has led to a racial homeownership gap where 43% of White households own their own homes while only 27% of Black households and 17% of Latinx households own their own homes.
Panelists spoke about existing and potential future financing programs to expand supply and preserve existing homeownership housing. They discussed city and state initiatives being considered by Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams administrations and where the gaps are to support new and existing homeowners. Panelists also shared their perspectives on how to balance the use of public dollars in affordable homeownership with the ability for families who benefit to build equity.
The panel was moderated by Naila Moore, Senior Program Policy Director, IMPACCT Brooklyn and panelists included:
- Christie Peale, Executive Director, Center for New York City Neighborhoods
- Matthew Dunbar, Chief Strategy Officer and EVP, Habitat for Humanity New York City and Westchester County
- Dina Levy, Senior Vice President of Single Family and Community Development, New York State Homes and Community Renewal
- Chantella Mitchell, Executive Director of Homeownership Initiatives, New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development