Stable, well-designed housing provides the foundation for a fulfilling life. Dignified, affordable homes near resources and infrastructure like jobs, schools, and transit allow families and communities to thrive. Housing not only can transform residents’ lives, but also forms the building blocks for vibrant, diverse neighborhoods. Housing makes up the majority of the built environment; each development contributes to the unique character of its neighborhood and block. Superbly designed residential developments can be lasting, place-based interventions that foster greater equity, sustainability, resiliency, and healthy living.

Designing New York: Quality Affordable Housing coincides with increasing recognition of the role design plays in meeting the City’s most pressing goals. This initiative is a collaboration of the New York City Public Design Commission (PDC), The Fine Arts Federation of New York (FAFNY), and the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter (AIANY). A larger publication working group includes the Department of City Planning (DCP), Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), the Department of Design and Construction (DDC), and the Economic Development Corporation (EDC). These public agencies and nonprofit organizations, representing a cross-section of the city’s architecture, design, housing, and planning professions, have come together to advance this important opportunity to create higher quality housing and a more equitable New York.