HPD Commissioner Vicki Been answering questions at the 130th CityLaw Breakfast. Image credit: CityLaw

On Friday November 13, 2015, the Center for New York City Law at New York Law School hosted the 130th City Law Breakfast. The event speaker was Department of Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Vicki Been.

Commissioner Been was welcomed by Anthony Crowell, Dean and President of New York Law School and introduced by Ross Sandler, Professor of Law and Director of the Center for New York City Law.  The commissioner discussed the progress of the City’s affordable housing plans, focusing on the Mandatory Inclusionary Housing and Zoning for Quality and Affordability programs.  The commissioner addressed the anxiety of community responses to the programs centered around gentrification and displacement of current residents, and stressed City efforts to preserve the affordable housing currently in place, strengthen rent regulations, and joint efforts with Attorney-General Eric Schneiderman and the Department of Buildings to combat tenant harassment.

Commissioner Been emphasized market forces were effecting change in New York neighborhoods whether MIH or ZQA were adopted or not, but City investments would work to keep traditionally underserved communities from being left behind as well as mitigate unintended consequences.  The Commissioner finished by taking questions from the capacity crowd.

To watch the complete video, click here.