NYCxDESIGN Salon - The Housing Crisis: Real Solutions from Real People

With a new mayoral administration for whom affordability is a central priority, the city finds itself at a consequential inflection point. The decisions made now across policy, planning, development, and civic engagement will shape not only the availability of housing but the social and economic fabric of the city for decades to come. This conversation is intended to move beyond abstraction and into the realm of real proposals, real constraints, and real opportunities.

The panel will include individuals working at the forefront of housing policy and urban governance alongside leaders from government agencies and academic institutions. They will examine the range of ideas currently being advanced, from zoning reform and public-private partnerships to new models of housing production and preservation, and consider how these strategies might be implemented in a city as complex and dynamic as New York.

The discussion will be moderated by Drue Kendall, an alumnus of the Living City Project who is currently studying urban politics at Fordham University. His recent policy work on housing reflects both analytical rigor and a deep engagement with the lived realities of the city, positioning him to guide a conversation that is both grounded and forward-looking.

Reception to follow.

INC Architecture & Design is a New York-based interdisciplinary studio working across architecture, interiors, and object design. The practice approaches design as a relational and cultural act, combining research, material intelligence, and social awareness to shape environments that support human connection and civic life.

The Living City Project is an educational initiative that uses New York City as an immersive classroom. It brings together young people from diverse backgrounds to engage directly with the urgent challenges facing cities today, fostering a culture of inquiry, collaboration, and civic participation.

Moses Gates VP for Housing and Neighborhood Planning at the Regional Plan Association. Moses leads research and advocacy for regional affordability and is a visiting professor at Pratt Institute.

Thomas Yu Executive Director of Asian Americans For Equality (AAFE). Thomas oversees the development of affordable housing and social services for over 35,000 New Yorkers annually.

Carol E. Rosenthal Senior Counsel at Fried Frank. Carol is a land-use specialist with extensive experience in rezonings, public-private partnerships, and large-scale urban development.

Cassim Shepard Author and Distinguished Lecturer at the Spitzer School of Architecture (CCNY). Cassim is the founding editor of Urban Omnibus and his work focuses on the craft of practical urbanism.

INC Architecture & Design

150 Varick Street 5th Floor

Doors Open: 4:45pm

Panel Discussion: 5:00pm

Reception: 6:00pm

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