THE HOUSING PROBLEM

Live from NYSAFAH's 2026 Affordable Housing Conference, Rafael and Kirk talk to Deputy Mayor Leila Bozorg about the Mamdani administration's early housing wins and its priorities over the next year, and its efforts to strike the right balance between idealism and pragmatism.

Rafael and Kirk talk to Sarah Brundage, president & CEO of the National Association of Affordable Housing Lenders, about the politics of housing, the role of the federal government in addressing the housing problem, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, and more. (This episode was recorded prior to the House vote on the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act—stay tuned, the story is still unfolding.)

Rafael and Kirk talk to NYC Comptroller Mark Levine about the NYC Affordability Fund, a massive new $4B investment to create and preserve affordable housing. Plus, what it could mean to have a pro-homes Mayor and pro-homes Comptroller working together.

Rafael and Kirk dish on a possibly unsexy but definitely critical tool for preserving New York's affordable housing stock: J-51. Before Governor and lawmakers decide its future, they explain what it is, where it's fallen short, and whether the reforms currently under consideration will help it live up to its potential.

Rafael and Kirk talk to Stacie Young, president and CEO of the Community Investment Corporation, about the housing problem in Chicago. Also, how important is naturally occurring affordable housing, and how can it be preserved in markets where it exists?

Rafael and Kirk talk to NY State Senator Brian Kavanagh, Chair of the Senate Committee on Housing, Construction, and Community Development, about NY's landmark 2019 tenant protection law, increasing funding for rental assistance vouchers, and insurance as a hidden driver of housing costs. Also, why are places like Atlanta, Charlotte, and Austin building so much housing while NY lags?

Rafael and Kirk talk to Adam Weinstein, CEO of NYC's largest non-profit housing developer, Phipps Houses, about why developer profits aren't what's standing in the way of creating more affordable homes. Also, a developer's perspective on City of Yes, the recently passed ballot measures, the Mamdani administration, and social housing.

Rafael and Kirk talk to Samantha Magistro of the family-owned property owner BronxPro Group about the math problem facing rent-stabilized and affordable housing and what policy changes it would take to make the math work.

Rafael and Kirk return to the subject of homelessness with a focus on unhoused New Yorkers living with mental illness. Dr. Mitchell Katz, president and CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals, joins The Housing Problem to talk about housing as a critical foundation for addressing mental illness.

Rafael and Kirk recap the 2025 NYC mayoral election, including Mayor-elect Mamdani's first hires, what's needed to make a rent-freeze feasible, what's broken at City Hall that needs fixing, and what a successful first 100 days would look like.