In this thought-provoking episode featuring Holly Leicht – Executive Vice President of Real Estate Development & Planning at Empire State Development – Rafael, Kirk, and Holly extrapolate the core foundational issues plaguing accessible and sustainable affordable housing for decades. Offering expert insights from their decades of learned professional experience, this spirited conversation is both entertaining and informative. Rafael and Kirk, skillfully utilize guest Holly Leicht to break down the paradoxes and, ultimately, the necessary future solutions that define The Housing Problem.

Rafael and Kirk are joined by Gary LaBarbera, President of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York. Rafael, Kirk, and Gary also take a look at the future of sustainable and affordable housing, how it plays into the forthcoming plans of New York and New York City, what legislation can be put into place by elected leaders to codify the administration’s goals, and what obstacles lay in the way.

Gary LaBarbera represents 15 local building trades councils, 12 district councils, state associations, and 135 local unions, representing more than 200,000 tradespeople across the entire state. Throughout this compelling insider conversation, we hear about Gary’s fascinating professional experiences – from dealing with Superstorm Sandy to leading a frontline organization, critical to the success and sustained growth of New York State, throughout the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Rafael and Kirk return for another captivating and informative season of “The Housing Problem.” For the first episode of Season Two, they sit down with the Chief Housing Officer for the City of New York, Jessica Katz, to hear directly from the city how they are managing these problems day-to-day in the present, while concurrently planning for a more equitable and affordable opportunity for all in New York. Rafael, Kirk, and Jessica dive deep into how developers, community leaders, elected officials, and housing advocates engage with the complexities of this multi-fold issue and how they plan for the ever-changing future landscape of New York City.

Like with everything in life, perceptions matter, and community perceptions of affordable housing are no different. In this final episode of Season 1, Rafael and Kirk get into how developers, advocates, elected officials, and communities talk about, think about, and plan for the building of new housing with up-and-coming affordable housing leader Councilmember Pierina Sanchez. 

A new podcast mini-series about New York City’s housing industry, the challenges we're up against, how they came to be, and what’s needed to build a stronger and more equitable city moving forward. COMING SOON!