Deputy Mayor Dina Levy takes helm of Housing Preservation and Development amid ambitious affordability goals
Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the appointment of Dina Levy as the new commissioner of the Housing Preservation and Development Department (HPD), placing the agency at the forefront of his administration’s ambitious affordability agenda. Levy’s appointment comes as the mayor pursues aggressive housing policy reforms, including a proposed multi-year rent freeze and expanded housing code enforcement against negligent landlords.
Levy’s Vision for Housing Preservation
Mamdani introduced Levy at a building meant to exemplify his vision of affordable housing and neighborhood preservation. The event highlighted the administration’s commitment to holding landlords accountable for maintaining safe, dignified housing conditions for New York’s most vulnerable residents. The commissioner’s priorities align with Mamdani’s campaign platform of expanding affordable housing supply and strengthening tenant protections across the five boroughs.
Strategic Focus on Code Enforcement
Under Levy’s leadership, the HPD is expected to intensify enforcement actions against property owners who violate housing codes and fail to maintain their buildings. The department plans to prioritize expedited inspections and compliance tracking for the most problem-riddled properties. This approach reflects Mamdani’s campaign criticism of previous administrations for allowing landlords to operate substandard housing without meaningful penalties.
Affordable Housing and Preservation Goals
The HPD will work in coordination with other city agencies to implement the mayor’s broader affordability agenda. This includes supporting the proposed rent freeze, investigating speculative buying practices that remove units from the affordable housing stock, and exploring new mechanisms for community acquisition of distressed properties.
Building Upon Past Agency Work
The Housing Preservation and Development Department has historically served as the city’s primary tool for managing public housing stock and incentivizing private development of affordable units through tax credits and subsidies. Under Levy’s tenure, the agency is expected to expand its role in aggressive landlord oversight and direct intervention in the rental market. Mayor Mamdani has committed to using all available city housing tools to advance affordability. The commissioner’s appointment signals the administration’s determination to reshape housing policy through experienced leadership at the municipal agency most responsible for implementing those changes.
