Housing & Planning

Co-Chairs: Barbara Chocky, Fran Levenson and Ann Loeb

ADVOCACY The June 2008 H&P meeting featured a guest speaker on the current status of homelessness and homeless services in NYC. Speaker at April 9, 2008 H&P Committee discussed the sub-prime mortgage situation in New York City. February 2008 Is City's Housing Plan on Track? Sewell Chan of the NY Times reports on WCC program. December 2007 Asks Homeless Services Commissioner to provide updated information on DHS Advantage Programs, interagency coordination, shelter eligibility criteria IBO releases report requested by WCC detailing progress to date, of the 10-Yr Affordable Housing Plan. WCC press release on the IBO housing report.

2007-2008 Priorities

Affirming WCC's commitment, since its founding in 1915, to advocating for an adequate supply of decent, affordable housing in New York City, WCC reconstituted its HOUSING & PLANNING Committee (H&P) in April 2008 under the leadership of Co-Chairs Fran Levenson, Barbara Chocky and Ann R. Loeb.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
With the Public Policy Committee, H&P sponsored a public program on the status of the Mayor's Housing Marketplace Plan. Committee meetings with invited speakers highlighted subprime mortgage problems, and addressed how New York City is serving its homeless population.

2008 - 2009 PLANS:
This year, the H&P Committee is developing an advocay agenda to address:
1. ways to ensure an adequate supply of decent, affordable housing
2. the need to maintain rent regulations for current and future generations
3. promoting adequate and quality services for NYC's homeless individuals and families,

ROLE OF H&P COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
According to their interests and time availability, committee members are asked to
1. monitor developments in one H&P issue through newspaper and internet sources
2. attend meetings of other housing advocacy organizations
3. contact elected officials to learn about housing legislative initiatives
4. help draft advocacy letters and testimonies
5. visit some of NYC's successful subsidized / assisted developments.

H&P MEETINGS:
The H&P Committee meets at 5:00 pm every two to three months. Contact the WCC office to be placed on the H&P mailing / email list, and for information on scheduled meetings and agendas.