NYC HPD
A new comprehensive process will seek to understand and address discrimination, residential segregation, and unequal access to opportunities through studies and community collaboration. On March 9, 2018, the Department of Housing Preservation & Development announced the launch of “Where We Live NYC” in partnership with the New York City Housing Authority. Where We Live NYC is a comprehensive fair housing planning process to study, understand, and address patterns of residential segregation and how these patterns impact New Yorkers’ access to opportunities like jobs, education, safety, public transit, and positive health outcomes.
Where We Live NYC will focus on data and policy analysis as well as extensive community participation on all aspects of the process. The process will culminate in a public report that will measure goals and strategies designed to foster inclusive communities, promote fair housing choice, and increase access to opportunity for all New Yorkers.
The process will involve coordination with a number of government partners including the Department of City Planning, Department of Transportation, Department of Education, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Department of Social Services, and the NYC Commission on Human Rights, among others. A Fair Housing Stakeholder Group will be convened comprising of community-based organizations, faith-based group, community development corporations, disability advocates, legal service providers, affordable housing developers, private sector representatives, academic researchers, and constituency groups. Where We Live NYC will also involve close partnership with community leaders, experts, and everyday New Yorkers through focus group-style “Community Conversations” to better understand the factors that contribute to housing and neighborhood choice as well as how residential living patterns impact New Yorkers’ lives, families, and access to opportunity.
The engagement process and report development will have three phases. In the Learn Phase, in Spring/Summer 2018, HPD will work with its partners to understand existing conditions, begin data analysis, and prioritize the factors that contribute to fair housing issues in the City, such as discrimination and access to opportunity. In the Create Phase, in Fall 2018, HPD will work with partners to surface ideas for policy solutions based on the information and contributing factors prioritized in the Learn Phase. In the Finalize Phase, in 2019, HPD will work with partners to develop an initial policy framework that takes into account all input from stakeholders, research, and resident engagement, and will share this initial draft with the Fair Housing Stakeholder Group, residents, and government partners for feedback, with the final draft scheduled for completion in fall 2019.
HPD Commissioner Maria Torres-Springer stated: “Where We Live NYC is an unprecedented opportunity to work with government partners, community organizations, and the general public to take a comprehensive look at the historic and ongoing factors that contribute to longstanding patterns of segregation in our neighborhoods, and discuss what we as a City can do to increase housing choice and access to opportunity for all New Yorkers.”
City Council Chair of the Committee on Housing and Buildings, Robert Cornegy, stated: “While the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development continues to turn its back on the communities of color and those who have suffered as a result of systemic bias, it is critical we as a city forge ahead in finding out how best to address the lingering challenges associated with housing policies of the past. Where We Live NYC will allow us to thoroughly assess how our housing policies have and continue to impact residential segregation and allow us to most effectively advance fair housing in New York City.”
Director of the Department of City Planning, Marisa Lago, stated: “Our city is stronger because of our diversity. Where We Live NYC will engage our communities and gather data to ensure that our policies reflect our commitment to housing a diverse and growing population and making New York City the fairest big city in the nation.”
More information on Where We Live NYC can be found here.