2022 Annual Luncheon

Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea Houses residents made history as the first group of NYCHA residents to lead a PACT planning process, overseeing every step of the development and selection. They again proved that no one understands the needs of public housing developments like their residents. The project serves as a national model for future public-private partnerships and demonstrates the power of leveraging residents’ expertise with the resources of the affordable housing industry. Two residents central to the process, Darlene Waters, Resident Association President of Elliott-Chelsea Houses, and Miguel Acevedo, President of the Fulton Housing Residents Association, accepted the award on behalf of the Resident Review Committee.

Former HPD Commissioner and CHPC Executive Director

Jerilyn Perine received the Impact for Housing award recognizing her extraordinary contributions to housing policy and community development over her five-decade career. As a born-and-bred New Yorker, Jerilyn always treated her career in planning and housing policy as a vocation. She served years in public service, culminating in her appointment to HPD Commissioner under both Giuliani and Bloomberg administrations. Following her departure from government, Jerilyn assumed the helm of CHPC where she brought new vision and relevance to CHPC's work.

Senior Planner and Team Leader at the Manhattan Office, Department of City Planning

The Ibo Balton Community Planner Award was given to Sylvia Xiaomeng Li, who has dedicated over eight years to the Department of City Planning, serving as a leader in agency efforts to build more equitable and thriving neighborhoods. Sylvia led and supervised the planning efforts of the SoHo/NoHo Neighborhood Plan, which made history in late 2021 as one of the first neighborhood rezonings for affordable housing in a predominately white, amenity-rich, high-income neighborhood.

Vice President of Portfolio Planning at the New York City Housing Authority

The Ibo Balton Community Planner Award was also given to Simon Kawitzky, the Vice President of Portfolio Planning at the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). Simon has been instrumental in embedding new community planning processes into NYCHA’s real estate work over recent years. He oversaw the first resident-led working group at Elliot-Chelsea and Fulton houses, fundamentally shifting the power to the developments’ residents.

S:US & Bronx Pro Group

Located in Mount Hope in the Bronx, Jerome Court Redevelopment is an extraordinary example of community investment through housing development. A joint venture between the non-profit housing and service provider Services for the UnderServed (S:US) and Bronx Pro Group, Jerome Court Redevelopment marks the transformation of an old two-story SRO building to a brand-new 16-story, mixed-use building that includes 105 supportive housing units and 70 affordable housing units. The supportive housing units will house a mix of households including individuals and families leaving shelter who experience behavioral health challenges.