CHPC’s mission, since 1937, is to develop and advance practical public policies that support the housing stock of the city by better understanding New York’s most pressing housing and neighborhood needs.
Basement Apartment Conversion Pilot Program Interim Report
The East New York Basement Apartment Conversion Pilot Program (BACPP) is an ongoing demonstration project that seeks to test the efficacy of certain reforms intended to facilitate the conversion of basements and cellars apartments and to identify additional...
Testimony to Lower Manhattan Development Corporation Regarding the Development of 5 World Trade Center
On May 16th 2023, CHPC presented testimony to the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation Board of Directors regarding development of 5 World Trade Center.Thank you for the opportunity to offer comments on the proposed development of the 5 World Trade Center site....
A tour of six notable refugee housing projects in Europe: a mini-directory
Over the years, cities in Europe have handled residential facilities for refugees in a range of ways – from large emergency reception centers with simple partitioning structures to more permanent options constructed within existing neighborhoods, where they would...
63rd Annual Luncheon
We had a wonderful time celebrating with the housing and planning industry at CHPC’s 63rd Annual Luncheon. We were thrilled to formally welcome our new Executive Director, Howard Slatkin, reconnect with new and old friends and colleagues, and recognize our...
Testimony: Joint Legislative Hearing on the FY2023-24 Executive Budget – Topic: Housing
On March 1st 2023, CHPC submitted testimony to the New York State Senate Finance Assembly and Ways and Means Committees on the FY2023-24 Executive Budget on the subject of Housing. Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony regarding the housing proposals...
CHPC Book Club: Homelessness Is a Housing Problem, with Gregg Colburn
On February 21, 2023, CHPC hosted a discussion about common myths about homelessness, the harms they cause, and implications for local, state, and federal policy. “As long as we continue to frame homelessness as an individual problem, we will struggle to make the...
Remembering Frances Magee
Image courtesy of LegacyOn Sunday, January 1, 2023, long-time emeritus board member, Frances Magee passed away peacefully in her sleep after a brief illness. She was 93 years old. Franny was devoted to CHPC for over 60 years. She was an architect whose strong...
Remembering Erica R. Forman
Image courtesy of Congregation Beit Simchat Torah (CBST)It is with great sadness that we have to share news about the loss of respected CHPC board member. Erica Forman passed away at age 71 on December 27, 2022 after a battle with cancer. Erica was a creative real...
CHPC Welcomes New Executive Director, Howard Slatkin
New York, NY (November 21, 2022)- Today, Citizens Housing & Planning Council (CHPC) announced Howard Slatkin as the new Executive Director of the independent research and education nonprofit dedicated to addressing the city’s housing and planning needs. “We are...
CHPC in the Media
Report finds state, city requirements hinder safety improvements for basement apartments
SPECTRUM NEWS NY1, May 24, 2023A new report by the Citizens Housing and Planning Council (CHPC) revealed some startling obstacles in the effort to make basement apartments safer for low-income and immigrant New Yorkers. The issue first gained prominence following...
‘Absurd’ rules torpedo effort to make NYC’s basement apartments safe and legal
Gothamist, May 23, 2023New York City’s tens of thousands of basement units drew renewed attention after Hurricane Ida flooded homes throughout the area in September 2021, killing 13 people in New York City, including 11 who were trapped in basement apartments at...
In New York’s Fight to Legalize Basement Apartments, What About Cellars?
City Limits, March 13, 2023While Gov. Kathy Hochul included a pathway to basement legalization in her February budget proposal, the word “cellar” is absent from her plan. The two terms may be indistinguishable to most property owners, but they’re different under...