🔴 LIVE: Committee on Housing and Building - Maintaining the Affordability of Mitchell-Lama Housing

The New York City Council Committee on Housing and Building held a hearing on July 15, 2026, focused on maintaining the affordability and financial stability of Mitchell-Lama housing developments. The discussion centered on the significant financial distress facing many Mitchell-Lama properties, including rising operating costs, capital improvement needs, and rent or maintenance fee increases averaging around 29% in recent years. HPD officials testified about their oversight role, the challenges of balancing budgets under state law, and efforts to enroll eligible residents in rent freeze programs like SCRE and DRE. The committee pressed HPD on proactive asset management, transparency, and accountability, highlighting issues such as deferred maintenance, inadequate reserves, and the need for more capital investment. Public testimony from residents and cooperative board members underscored ongoing problems with building conditions, management, and the impact of large rent increases on affordability. The hearing concluded with calls for stronger oversight, innovative financing solutions, and collaborative efforts including a proposed roundtable to address systemic challenges in preserving Mitchell-Lama housing affordability and quality.