Vicki Been Appointed Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development

The former HPD Commissioner will continue to work on affordability and economic opportunities for the City. On April 4, 2019, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the appointment of former Department of Housing and Preservation Commissioner Vicki Been as the new Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development. She succeeded Alicia Glen, who served in the position for five years.


Leonard Wasserman Discusses Economic Development

Early in his adult life, Leonard Wasserman thought he would pursue a career in urban planning. His perspective changed, however, when he realized he was “better with words than colored pencils.” After college, Wasserman spent a little over a year at the Housing and Development Administration (the agency that later split into Buildings and HPD), but decided to take a leave from the ranks of the employed to attend Brooklyn Law School to focus on … <Read More>


City Breaks Ground on New Phase of Affordable Housing Development in Hunts Point

On November 29, 2023, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, the New York City Housing Development Corporation, and the New York City Economic Development Corporation joined the development team to celebrate the groundbreaking of the next phase of the Peninsula, a 100 percent affordable housing mixed-use campus in the Hunts Point section of the Bronx. The development team included Gilbane Development Company, Hudson Companies, MHANY Management Inc, and Wells Fargo.  


“City of Yes for Economic Opportunity” Amendment Enters Public Review

On October 30, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams and Director of City Planning Dan Garodnick announced the launch of the public review process for the “City of Yes for Economic Opportunity” zoning amendment. The amendment is the second of three “City of Yes” proposals that aim to modernize or remove outdated provisions of the zoning text that limit the growth of housing, the development of small businesses, and the implementation of green technology, energy and infrastructure.


Mayor Announces Expansion of “Big Apple Connect” to 17 New NYCHA Developments

On August 1, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams and Office of Technology and Innovation Commissioner Matthew Fraser announced the expansion of “Big Apple Connect” to 17 new public housing developments across Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Bronx. The Big Apple Connect program provides NYCHA residents with a free bundle of high-speed internet, including equipment, basic cable TV service, and common area Wi-Fi hotspots. The program aims to enhance digital equity by enabling New Yorkers to have access <Read More>


Department of City Planning to Hold Second City of Yes for Economic Opportunity Info Session on July 11

On July 11, 2023, the Department of City Planning will hold the next information session for the City of Yes for Economic Opportunity zoning text amendment. The text amendment is part of Mayor Eric Adams’ City of Yes proposed amendments aimed to remove outdated or unnecessary provisions within the existing zoning text that inhibit the development of housing, green energy, and economic development.