Furman Center Policy Breakfast: Weighing the Costs and Benefits of Mixed-Income Housing

On Wednesday, March 5th, 2014, at NYU School of Law, the NYU Furman Center hosted over 200 participants for a spring policy breakfast, titled, On-Site or Off-Site: Weighing the Benefits and Costs of Mixed-Income Housing Programs. Expert panelists, all of whom bring diverse experience developing mixed income housing in New York City, provided their perspectives based on research and experience on the costs and benefits of mixed-income housing for residents and neighborhoods.

Panelists included:

• Michelle de la Uz, Executive Director, Fifth Avenue Committee
• Eric Enderlin, Deputy Commissioner, Development, NYC Department of Housing Preservation and   Development
• Brad Lander, New York City Council Member
• Jed Walentas, Principal, Two Trees Management Company

The panel discussion was moderated by Ingrid Gould Ellen, Co-Director of the NYU Furman Center.

The discussion explored the comparative costs of developing mixed-income buildings versus developing affordable housing off-site, and whether on-site mixed-income housing should be a priority for the city's housing policy. Panelists explored proven benefits, such as improved building maintenance and access to better neighborhoods; the challenges and controversies of building and financing such projects; and public policy strategies for encouraging further development of mixed-income housing. 

For more information, see the event program and the presentation slides.