Mayor Adams names a new affordable housing team

Mayor Eric Adams appoints a new housing team to tackle the city’s affordability crisis. 

On Sunday afternoon, mayor Adams held a conference at the City Hall and announced that Jessica Katz will join his housing team as the city’s chief housing officer. Katz is the former executive director of the Citizens Housing and Planning Council, a non-profit organization that focuses on shaping housing and planning policies in New York City. 

“City policies must be rooted in helping people. That is how I have always approached my work, and I know you will agree that when it comes to housing, we must work together as a city to get all of our neighbors into safe, stable homes that they can afford,” said Chief Housing Officer Jessica Katz at the press conference.

Eric Adams appointed Adolfo Carrión Jr., a former Bronx Borough President and City Council member, to serve as commissioner of the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). In addition, Eric Enderlin, the current president of the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), will remain in this position. 

Mayor Adams plans to solve the affordability crisis by upzoning wealthy areas, legalizing accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and converting empty hotels and office buildings into residential units. 

“I said from day one of my campaign that we are going to end the housing affordability crisis, and this is the team of extraordinary leaders who will do just that,” said Mayor Adams. “This team has a clear mission: To create, preserve, and maintain safe, affordable housing that will build a more equitable city. I know they will ‘Get Stuff Done’ for New York and deliver the housing New Yorkers deserve.”

The lack of affordable housing units is life-threatening, especially during the winter season when the temperature in New York City drops significantly. In December 2021, there were over 48,000 homeless people in NYC, including more than 15,000 homeless children, according to the data collected by the Coalition for the Homeless. 

Recently, the organization announced its support for the new affordability housing team. 

"We look forward to working with NYC Mayor, Jessica Katz, Adolfo Carrión Jr., & their teams to ensure all New Yorkers have safe, affordable housing," the Coalition for the Homeless tweeted. 

Resources:

“As Adams assembles housing team, advocates hope for renewed action on housing issues,” by Gloria Pazmino (Spectrum News NY 1, 2022)

“Mayor Adams says his new housing team will focus on affordability,” by Dean Moses (AMNY The Villager, 2022)

“Mayor Adams Appoints Affordable Housing Leadership Team,” (NYC, 2022)

“Mayor Eric Adams Makes Housing-Related Announcement,” by NYC Mayor’s Office (YouTube, 2022)

“Basic Facts About Homelessness: New York City,” (Coalition for Homeless, 2022)