Seminars & Training

NYAHMA LEADS THE WAY with Regulators Seminar

Over 100 participants came to NYAHMA’s all day “Meet the Regulators” forum on March 19.  The leadership and key staff from HUD’s New York office together with high ranking representatives of DHCR, HTF CGI and HPD - and special guest Deborah Lear, HUD’s Deputy Assistant Secretary in charge of the project-based Section 8 contract administrators - were there to make presentations and take questions from the audience.

The day had four sessions. The morning was devoted to the project-based Section 8 program. The start was local with HUD, HTF and CGI giving their views and answering questions from the audience. Next was our special guest Deborah Lear, who brought us up to date on proposed changes to the “ACC,” which is the contract governing the relationship between HUD and the contract administrators around the country. Ms. Lear also took questions from our audience.

The afternoon was all about Mitchell Lama and the Section 8 voucher program. DHCR, HPD and HUD made presentations on their various roles and they, too, answered questions. Finally, ending the day was the Housing Voucher program.  Again, representatives of HUD, PIH, NYCHA, HPD and DHCR presented their agencies’ views and answered all questions asked.

It was a great, informative day. Special thanks go to NYAHMA’s President Hunter Cushing who presided over the entire day, and moderators David Buchwalter and Richard Singer. A very special thank you goes to Related Management and Hector Pinero, who provided the facilities. See pictures of the fabulous event.

Your NYAHMA Board was not through! The very next day representatives of NYAHMA along with the leadership of HUD’s New York office and DHCR were invited to a special all day meeting with Deborah Lear at which we were given a very detailed overview of the proposed new ACC, development of which, Ms. Lear informed us, is well underway. We were particularly honored to learn that this meeting was the first such meeting at which local representatives of owners and managers were given the opportunity to directly comment on and make suggestions regarding this important matter – and we certainly did make comments and offer suggestions on behalf of our members. The NYAHMA Board will be following up and will work closely with Ms. Lear as this contract model nearer completion. Again, thanks go to Related Properties for providing the facilities and lunch.

Deborah Lear, HUD HQ - Deputy Director Office of Assistance

Margaret Ruiz NYCHA, Chris Ingram HUD/PIH, Al Smith DHCR, Alexandra Warren HPD

Morning Panelists with HUD, DHCR,HTF And CGI

Audience participation

Teresa Bainton-HUD Al Smith DHCR Jackie Robotti HTF Les Pierce CGI

Pointed question are asked

Richard Singer Hirschen Singer & Epstein LLP David Cabrera - DHCR