Planning + Policy


The Center for NYC Neighborhoods

I lead and manage the Black Homeownership Project and its research, policy agenda, and programmatic interventions. I research estate planning and heirs’ property issues, advocating for and promoting policy solutions.

Legislation

I worked closely with U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and New York State Senator Brian Kavanagh on developing bill language for the New York State Stop Corporate Landlords bill. I researched and developed the methodology for the Equitable Data Development Explorer’s displacement risk index, which informed Intro 1572 (2019) and Local Law 78 (2021). I advised and edited the initial bill language for the NYS Social Housing Development Authority. I collaborated with Save Section 9 to guide Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s team on the Green New Deal for Public Housing Act, strengthening provisions that clearly define, protect, and preserve Section 9 public housing.

NYC Dept. of Housing Preservation & Development

Across the Neighborhood Planner and Senior Policy Analyst roles, I managed and developed the Bay Street Corridor Housing Plan and the Bed-Stuy Housing Plan; co-designed the Where We Live NYC Community Conversations plan for Where We Live NYC; wrote the Homeowner Handbook; co-led and managed the Shared Equity Request for Information, and helped develop a methodology to estimate and survey over 1k zombie homes in NYC and identify opportunities for affordable homeownership.

CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies

I co-developed the Building Together Organizing Toolkit: An Informational Resource for Cooperative Construction.

Gehl 

I helped write the Public Life and Public Safety report as part of an urban planning and placemaking project team assessing the Mayor’s Action Plan for Neighborhood Safety at NYCHA.

Community Care of Brooklyn x MIT Co Labs

I co-led and designed a participatory action research project to identify health and wellness interventions in Brownsville and East New York.