Executive Director Mark Willis Moderates Queens Housing Panel

(Photo Credit: Queens Tribune)

On October 14, Executive Director Mark Willis led a panel discussion on housing and development in Queens, convened by the Queens Tribune, Southeast Queens Press, and Greater Jamaica Development Corporation (GJDC). The conference addressed opportunities and challenges around luxury and affordable housing development in the borough, bringing together non-profit, business and development, community board and technical leaders from the local to federal level. The issue is timely with development and rental prices on the rise in Queens. According to our 2013 State of the City report, Queens has the second-highest share of severally rent-burdened households of the five boroughs.

Willis moderated the event’s panel discussion, which featured Elliot Sander, GJDC Board member and Chairman of the Regional Plan Association, as well as developers Michael Meyer of the F&T Group, Michael Mattone of the Mattone Group, and Eric Bluestone of the Bluestone Organization. Teresa Bainton, director of the New York Multifamily Hub within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Congressman Gregory Meeks, who represents the 5th Congressional District, and Queens Borough President Melinda Katz also spoke. The Queens Tribune will be writing about the panel this week, so check out their website or follow their twitter feed for more information.