Parsons is thrilled to partner with the Urban Homesteading Assistance Board for the 2026 Social Housing Conference. Join us for a full-day event bringing together community members, housing organizers, practitioners, academics, public officials and social housing advocates to engage in generative discussions, and advance the future of community- controlled, permanently affordable housing in New York City and beyond.
This is a formative moment in New York City’s history. Our new administration has committed to bolder and more equitable housing solutions. With over 50 years of experience in preserving and creating community-controlled housing, UHAB’s expertise and strong network of partners will drive the conversation on social housing and cooperative ownership toward collective action.
For more information, click here.
REGISTRATION
If you are currently enrolled in or teach in an urban program at The New School, you may attend at no cost. Registration is required, providing your full name, program, and email. This information will be reviewed prior to the conference and verified at the entrance upon presentation of your New School ID card. As seating for urban students is limited, once you register you are committing to attend. If you are unable to attend after registering or are from another program and want to attend, please write to: housingjustice@newschool.edu.
If you are not part of the New School community, please register at UHAB’s 2026 Social Housing Conference site.
Organized by the Urban Homesteading Assistance Board in partnership with Parsons School of Design and Parsons Housing Justice Lab at Parsons School of Design Strategies.
Panel 1. Building Social Housing at Scale: Community Ownership Models, Past & Present.
Moderator: Samuel Stein, Housing Policy Analyst, Community Service Society.
Panelists:
Tony Pickett, Chief Executive Officer, Grounded Solutions.
Susanne Schindler, Research Fellow, Harvard University Joint Center for Housing Studies.
Julia Duranti-Martinez, Senior Program Office for Community Research and Impact, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC).
Panel 2. The Cost of Coverage: Rising Insurance Premiums and the Threat to Affordable Housing.
Moderator: Rebecca Koepnick, Chief Strategy Office for Portfolio Preservation/Senior Vice President, Office of Housing Preservation, New York State Homes and Community Renewal.
Panelists:
John Crotty, Milford Street Captive.
James Fenniman, Area Executive Vice President, Senior Director, Construction Practice, Gallagher.
David Calvert, HDFC Co-op Board Member & Officer.
Panel 3. Sustaining Resident Democracy: Leadership, Culture, and Community Across Generations.
Moderator: Gabriela Rendón, Associate Professor of Urban Planning and Community Development, Parsons School of Design.
Panelists:
Cooperators United 4 Mitchell Lama Members.
HDFC Co-op Members.
Housing Organizers for People Empowerment Tenant Association Members.
Panel 4. Expanding Social Housing in New York City: Policy, Financing, and Practice.
Moderator: Andy Reicher, Urban Homesteading Assistance Board.
Panelists:
Courtney Horwitz, Founder & Principal, Strada Ventures.
Rachel Jaffe, Senior Counsel, Goldstein Hall.
Stephen Erdman, Assistant Commissioner, Homeownership Opportunities & Preservation, NYC Department of + Housing Preservation and Development.
Brandie Moreno, Vice President, Community Preservation Corporation.
Panel 5. Financing the Future: A LIHTC Model for Social Housing.
Moderator: John Holdsclaw IV, President & CEO, Rochdale Capital.
Panelists:
Casey Fannon, President & CEO, National Cooperative Bank.
Charles S. Laven, Chairman & CEO, Forsyth Street Advisors.
Panel 6. Decarbonizing Social Housing: An Earth Week Conversation on Climate Justice & Healthy Homes.
Moderator:Ana Baptista, Associate Professor in the MS Environmental Policy and Sustainability Management and Director of the Tishman Environment & Design Center.
Panelists: TBD
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