Mayor Zohran Mamdani is set to appoint Dina Levy as the new head of New York City's Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), according to sources familiar with the decision. Levy, who currently serves as senior vice president of single-family and community development at the state's housing agency, will oversee an over $2 billion budget that funds affordable housing developments, administers rental assistance programs, and enforces housing codes.
The move comes as the city faces a historic housing crisis, particularly for low-income New Yorkers. With less than 1% of apartments priced below $2,400 a month vacant, and overall vacancy rates at just 1.4%, the need for affordable housing is more pressing than ever.
Levy's appointment is seen as a significant boost to Mamdani's efforts to tackle the city's housing crisis. As head of HPD, Levy will be tasked with implementing policies that protect tenants and increase the availability of affordable housing units.
Under previous Mayor Eric Adams' administration, HPD has faced criticism for its slow pace in addressing development applications and delays in the housing lottery process. However, changes are on the horizon, with new tools at the agency's disposal to fuel development, including a sweeping package of land use changes known as the City of Yes plan.
The appointment of Levy is being hailed by advocates as "great news" and praise for her experience in government and organizing. John Crotty, founder of the affordable housing developer Workforce Housing Group, noted that Levy has been instrumental in preserving low-income housing at a significant site.
With Levy at the helm, city officials are optimistic about making progress on their ambitious goals for affordable housing. As part of his campaign promises, Mamdani aims to construct 200,000 affordable apartments for low- and middle-income New Yorkers over the next decade.
The new commissioner will also be tasked with implementing reforms aimed at fast-tracking affordable housing construction, including a suite of voter-approved reforms. Additionally, she will oversee "rental ripoff" hearings, which will allow tenants to share their negative experiences, and direct a report on conditions facing tenants citywide.
As Levy takes the reins, she is expected to bring a high level of expertise in both government and community development to the role. Her appointment marks an exciting development in Mamdani's efforts to tackle New York City's housing crisis head-on.
The move comes as the city faces a historic housing crisis, particularly for low-income New Yorkers. With less than 1% of apartments priced below $2,400 a month vacant, and overall vacancy rates at just 1.4%, the need for affordable housing is more pressing than ever.
Levy's appointment is seen as a significant boost to Mamdani's efforts to tackle the city's housing crisis. As head of HPD, Levy will be tasked with implementing policies that protect tenants and increase the availability of affordable housing units.
Under previous Mayor Eric Adams' administration, HPD has faced criticism for its slow pace in addressing development applications and delays in the housing lottery process. However, changes are on the horizon, with new tools at the agency's disposal to fuel development, including a sweeping package of land use changes known as the City of Yes plan.
The appointment of Levy is being hailed by advocates as "great news" and praise for her experience in government and organizing. John Crotty, founder of the affordable housing developer Workforce Housing Group, noted that Levy has been instrumental in preserving low-income housing at a significant site.
With Levy at the helm, city officials are optimistic about making progress on their ambitious goals for affordable housing. As part of his campaign promises, Mamdani aims to construct 200,000 affordable apartments for low- and middle-income New Yorkers over the next decade.
The new commissioner will also be tasked with implementing reforms aimed at fast-tracking affordable housing construction, including a suite of voter-approved reforms. Additionally, she will oversee "rental ripoff" hearings, which will allow tenants to share their negative experiences, and direct a report on conditions facing tenants citywide.
As Levy takes the reins, she is expected to bring a high level of expertise in both government and community development to the role. Her appointment marks an exciting development in Mamdani's efforts to tackle New York City's housing crisis head-on.
so finally someone is gettin at da root of da problem, dis city's affordable housing situation is straight up ridiculous, like what's goin on here? $2400 a month and u can barely find an apartment lol. Dina Levy comes in and she's all about dat affordable life, sounds good 2 me, 200k apartments by 2035 is da goal, gotta see if she can actually make it happen 
hope she brings some serious change to the table 
it's a big deal 'cause the city is literally struggling with housing prices and stuff, you know? rent is crazy high and there aren't enough affordable places to live. but levy seems like she knows what she's doing, been working at this state agency for ages and all that. so hopefully she can help make some changes and get more apartments built or whatever... 
i'm keeping my fingers crossed 'cause i've got a friend who's trying to move to nyc and it's super tough for them right now.
, 200k affordable apartments in 10 yrs is a tall order 
! Levy's got the skills tho 
, hope she can bring some real change to HPD 
.
I'm thinking, what's up with all these new developments? It's crazy how NYC is struggling with a housing crisis and now they're appointing Dina Levy as the head of HPD 
. With her experience in single-family and community development, she might just be able to make a difference. I mean, 200,000 affordable apartments over the next decade? That's ambitious, but I'm all for it 
. It's about time someone takes action on this issue. Fingers crossed Levy can make some real progress