Lambert Houses. Image Credit: Google Maps.

UPDATE: On November 29, 2016, the City Council voted 49-0 to approve the Lambert Houses application with modification. The approved application now includes the Mandatory Inclusionary Housing option with deep affordability—half of the apartments will now be affordable for those making 30 percent or less of the average median income. The City has committed $12.3 million for infrastructure improvements in the West Farms area, including the construction of two new schools in the area—adding at least 500 new school seats to the school district. Of the project, City Council Member Ritchie Torres said, “It will offer deeper affordability, significant infrastructure improvements and community upgrades that will benefit all of the residents of the West Farms neighborhood in the Bronx.” (read more…)

For the past two decades, Ronay Menschel and Adam Weinstein have led the Phipps Houses Group, New York City’s oldest and largest affordable housing provider. Founded in 1905 by Carnegie Steel’s Henry Phipps, the organization has built over 6,000 units, and currently manages 12,500 apartments, as well as community service centers, Head Start locations, vocational centers, and afterschool programs.

In the mid-1970s Ronay Menschel worked in Edward I. Koch’s Washington Congressional office and moved to the city to join his 1977 mayoral campaign. She served as his Deputy Mayor and Executive Administrator, spent eleven years on MTA’s Board, headed the Chancellor’s Advisory Council on Arts Education, and served on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. She became Phipps’ CEO and President in 1993, and now chairs Phipps’ board. Mr. Weinstein worked in the Koch Administration after college. He then attended Harvard Business School, after which he joined Phipps where he has been CEO since 2001. Ms. Menschel and Mr. Weinstein talked with CityLand about sustaining a more affordable New York. (read more…)