Westchester County needs more housing—but what resources are available to help make it happen?

In Episode 126 of Building Knowledge, we welcome Blanca Lopez, Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Planning, for a conversation about the county's housing initiatives, funding opportunities, and programs that support new development, rehabilitation, and preservation.

Commissioner Lopez explains how the Department of Planning is working to address Westchester's housing shortage and highlights the incentives available to developers, contractors, property owners, and municipalities. She also shares her perspective on how local and state leaders are responding to the region's growing housing challenges.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

• The role of the Westchester County Department of Planning
• Current housing needs and efforts to expand the housing supply
• Affordable housing funding opportunities and the Affordable Housing Investment Fund
• The Affordable Housing Rehabilitation and Preservation Initiative
• Lead Safe Westchester's grant program for lead hazard reduction in pre-1978 homes
• The Community Development Block Grant Program
• The future of housing policy and development in Westchester County

Whether you're involved in development, construction, real estate, property management, or simply interested in the future of housing in Westchester, this episode offers valuable insights into the programs and partnerships helping shape the county's communities.

In Episode 125 of Building Knowledge, we welcome Sarah Tavares, Campaign Organizer for Welcome Home Westchester, to discuss the coalition's ongoing efforts to address Westchester County's housing shortage.

Sarah explains the coalition's mission, membership, and the local policy options that cities, towns, and villages can adopt to expand housing opportunities. She also shares an update on the municipalities already taking action, outlines Welcome Home Westchester's revised 2026 campaign, and discusses how recent reforms to New York's State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) support the coalition's goals. The conversation concludes with Sarah's message to local and state lawmakers on the urgent need to tackle the housing crisis facing Westchester County and New York State.

Whether you're interested in housing policy, community planning, or the future of housing in the Hudson Valley, this episode offers valuable insights into one of the region's most pressing challenges.

Episode 124 of Building Knowledge explores security considerations for building owners, property managers, homeowners, and consumers as summer gets underway. Guest Thad McKeown, Director of Sales for Integrated Protection Services in Darien, Connecticut, returns to the podcast to discuss seasonal security challenges and best practices.

Topics include summer security planning for residential and commercial properties, the importance of after-hours lighting, emerging security products for multifamily communities, and considerations for office, retail, industrial, and warehouse facilities. Thad also discusses the connection between environmental damage and property security, shares general security recommendations for owners, managers, and residents, and offers his perspective on the current business climate throughout the New York metropolitan area.

“The Latest in Laundry Room Solutions for Building Owners and Managers” is the topic of Episode 123 of Building Knowledge. Our guests are Scott Scarpato Jr., Chief Operating Officer of Automatic Laundry, and Matthew Mariella, Regional Sales Manager for Westchester and Fairfield Counties. This marks the first appearance on Building Knowledgefor both guests.

During the episode, Scott and Matthew discuss how mobile app technology is changing the laundry experience for residents of multifamily buildings and users of commercial facilities. They also provide an overview of Automatic Laundry’s Laundry Connect Services and Laundry Card Technology, and explain how these innovations can improve convenience, efficiency, and revenue accountability for building owners and managers.

Additional topics include the benefits of Automatic Laundry’s free site surveys, how they compare to services offered by other providers, when property owners should consider upgrading their laundry rooms and equipment, and the biggest challenges currently facing the laundry industry.

This version is concise, professional, and in line with the style typically used for podcast episode descriptions.

Episode 122 of Building Knowledge pays tribute to Tim Foley, CEO of the Building and Realty Institute, as he is recognized by Westfair Business Journal as a recipient of its prestigious 2026 C-Suite Award.

The C-Suite Awards celebrate the outstanding leadership, vision, and achievements of senior executives and organizations throughout Westchester and Fairfield counties. The program honors leaders whose strategic direction and innovative initiatives have made a meaningful impact on their businesses, industries, and communities.

Tim will be honored during the awards ceremony on June 10 at the Mansion on Broadway in White Plains.

To commemorate this achievement, representatives from across the building, real estate, and business communities joined Episode 122 of Building Knowledge to share their congratulations, reflections, and appreciation for Tim's leadership and dedication to the industry.

Episode 121 of Building Knowledge explores the challenges, concerns, and opportunities facing business leaders across New York's Hudson Valley region.

Our guest is Michael Dardano, principal of Buzz Potential, a respected public relations and marketing firm based in Tuckahoe, N.Y. A familiar voice to BRI audiences, Michael has appeared on both the Institute's former radio programs and previous episodes of Building Knowledge.

During the conversation, Michael shares insights into what local business leaders are experiencing amid ongoing economic uncertainty. Topics include the impact of global events on business confidence, supply chain disruptions, inflationary pressures, labor shortages, regulatory compliance challenges, cybersecurity concerns, and the growing shortage of affordable and workforce housing. He also discusses why maintaining strong marketing and public relations efforts remains critical for businesses, even during difficult economic times.

Tune in for an informative discussion on the issues shaping the Hudson Valley's business climate and what leaders can do to navigate an increasingly complex marketplace.

This episode of “Building Knowledge” focuses on trends in wood maintenance and restoration projects with guest Willy Montano, Principal of Montano Wood Care Corporation in Yonkers, New York. A former guest on the Building and Realty Institute’s radio programs, this marks Montano’s first appearance on “Building Knowledge.”

Topics include the lasting appeal of wood in commercial buildings, the importance of incorporating wood refurbishing into long-term maintenance plans, and current trends involving elevator cabs, lobbies, doors, furniture, and other building components. The discussion also covers refinishing and restoration processes, the current business climate in the New York metropolitan area, rising material costs, workforce development, and the growing need for renovations as the region’s housing stock continues to age.

Episode 119 of “Building Knowledge with the Building and Realty Institute (BRI)” takes a closer look at how Co-op and Condo Boards can effectively prepare for and conduct successful Annual Meetings. Our guest is David Amster, Chairman of the Advisory Council of Managing Agents (ACMA) of the BRI and Principal of Prime Locations, a leading property management company based in Yonkers, New York.

During the episode, David discusses the purpose and importance of Annual Meetings, the key steps boards should take when planning them, notification requirements for shareholders and unit owners, and best practices for keeping meetings organized and productive. He also shares insights on when building consultants should attend, why following the meeting agenda matters, the importance of reviewing committee reports and budgets, and the growing challenges facing Co-ops and Condos today.

Episode 118 of “Building Knowledge” takes a deep dive into the insurance challenges impacting New York’s building, realty, and construction industries. Joining the program is Jason Schiciano, Co-President of Levitt-Fuirst Insurance and Bonding, based in Tarrytown. A familiar voice to members of the Building and Realty Institute (BRI) and its affiliate organizations, Jason has long been a trusted resource on insurance trends, risk management, and emerging industry issues.

In this episode, Jason discusses the growing insurance pressures facing businesses across New York State, including challenges impacting property owners, contractors, and developers. He also shares insight into encouraging developments within the insurance market, updates involving New York State Workers Compensation Groups 458 and 530, and the key issues he believes businesses should be watching for throughout the remainder of 2026.

The conversation also explores the increasing importance of Cyber Liability Insurance for businesses of all sizes. Jason explains why cyber protection is no longer optional in today’s business environment and addresses the common misconception among small business owners that they are unlikely targets for cyberattacks.

Episode 117 of Building Knowledge takes a close look at how the Apartment Owners Advisory Council (AOAC) of the Building and Realty Institute (BRI) is preparing for the upcoming public hearings and deliberations of the Westchester County Rent Guidelines Board in New York State.

Our guest is Alana Ciuffetelli, Chair of the AOAC. In this episode, she discusses the growing pressures facing small building owners and managers and the policy and cost challenges shaping housing in Westchester County.

Topics include:

1. The makeup of the AOAC membership and the ongoing strain on small building owners and managers as operating expenses continue to rise year after year.
2. A breakdown of significant increases in insurance costs impacting the housing sector.
3. An overview of broader operating expense increases affecting multifamily properties and complexes.
4. The impact of the 2019 Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act (HSTPA) on both housing providers and tenants.
5. AOAC’s ongoing meetings with Westchester County legislators as part of its preparation for the Rent Guidelines Board hearings.
6. Perspectives from the building and realty community that the public members of the Rent Guidelines Board play a critical role in the future of Westchester’s affordable housing stock and must carefully consider fair and reasonable rent adjustments.
7. A direct message from Alana Ciuffetelli to the Rent Guidelines Board on the importance of balanced and responsible decision-making.

This episode offers timely context ahead of one of the most consequential housing policy processes in Westchester County.