Public housing is the oldest and one of the largest subsidy programs in the country. However, there hasn’t been any significant expansion of public housing spending since 1974 when President Nixon placed a moratorium on that budget. In this episode, I shine a light on the complicated history of government housing and the deep influence it has on segregation and race-related issues in the United States. 

I also revisit a conversation with Rachel Loeb, former president and CEO of the New York City Economic Development Corporation, an agency that develops housing under the auspices of economic development. We discuss the vision for Bronx Point, a mixed-use development offering housing, community facilities, retail, and outdoor space along the Harlem River waterfront in the South Bronx.

Ensuring a diversity of income levels and housing stock, Bronx Point includes 1,000 units of studios, one, two, and three-bedroom options for families, and units set aside for formerly homeless individuals. The surrounding area provides access to The Children’s Museum, community colleges, and a food hall that not only offers fresh options to residents, but also gives small food vendors an opportunity to conduct business.

In addition to the details of Bronx Point, Rachel and I dive into the importance of diversity and representation, innovation through an equity lens, and the gold standard for waterfront resilience and risk reduction. 

About the Guest:

Rachel Loeb is the former President & CEO of the New York City Economic Development Authority. Prior to her work there, she was the Director of Development at the World-Wide Group and a Senior Director at AvalonBay Communities. She is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Northwestern University.

Topics Covered:

• The history of government-sponsored housing in New York City 
• How race relates to government-sponsored housing
• Driving innovation with the help of the government 
• Financing for the Bronx Point project 
• Tangible ways that NYCEDC aims to infuse local culture and history into the Bronx Point project
• How corporations build trust with communities  

Resources Mentioned: 

• A 'Forgotten History' Of How The U.S. Government Segregated America

About Your Host

Atif Qadir is the Founder of Commonplace, a company dedicated to tackling one of the biggest barriers to more inclusive, affordable, and sustainable development: improving access to capital. Commonplace helps impact-driven developers and capital providers with shared values discover and connect with each other.

Connect with Rachel Loeb

• Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn
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• Learn more about NYCEDC 

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