Federal Policy Analyst, Fair Housing Policy and Investments

The New York City Department of Housing Preservation & Development (HPD) promotes quality and affordability in the city’s housing, and diversity and strength in the city’s neighborhoods because every New Yorker deserves a safe, affordable place to live in a neighborhood they love.

• We maintain building and resident safety and health
• We create opportunities for New Yorkers through housing affordability
• We engage New Yorkers to build and sustain neighborhood strength and diversity.

HPD is entrusted with fulfilling these objectives through the goals and strategies of “Housing Our Neighbors: A Blueprint for Housing and Homelessness,” Mayor Adams’ comprehensive housing framework. To support this important work, the administration has committed $5 billion in new capital funding, bringing the 10-year planned investment in housing to $22 billion—the largest in the city’s history. This investment, coupled with a commitment to reduce administrative and regulatory barriers, is a multi-pronged strategy to tackle New York City’s complex housing crisis, by addressing homelessness and housing instability, promoting economic stability and mobility, increasing homeownership opportunities, improving health and safety, and increasing opportunities for equitable growth.

The Office of Policy & Strategy (OPS) leverages its expertise to guide and support HPD and its many Offices in their efforts to deepen their impact, optimize their efficiency, and become more data-driven, compliance-attentive, climate-adaptive, and mission-focused. The Division of Housing Policy (DHP) within OPS conducts rigorous policy analysis, data analysis, research, and evaluation to advance sound and equitable housing policy to advance HPD’s mission and in service of all New Yorkers. DHP analyzes proposed legislation, develops new policy and programs, supports efforts to reform existing policy and programs, and conducts long-term research, including randomized control trials and the New York City Housing and Vacancy Survey. DHP is a fast-paced, engaged, and ambitious team at the intersection of many of the most important policy issues impacting New York City.

The Fair Housing Policy team will work at the forefront of some of the most challenging housing and affordable housing policy issues to face New York City and the country. Alongside other members of the Division of Housing Policy and colleagues across the agency, the team will focus on confronting discrimination, segregation, and disparities in access to opportunity and on promoting programs and policies that affirmatively further fair housing. They will have the opportunity to work with team members at all levels, as well as engage with the agency’s senior leadership. They will work very closely with the Director of FHPI daily in a rigorous, growth-oriented, and supportive environment.

The Federal Policy Analyst will:

• Work with teams across the agency and agencies across the city to implement the commitments described in the City’s comprehensive fair housing plan, Where We Live NYC;
• Rigorously analyze proposed federal legislation, with particularly focus on alignment with HPD’s fair housing goals;
• Help develop policy for and coordinate compilation of the agency’s future assessments of fair housing and other federal compliance reports such as the consolidated plan;
• Report on the City’s progress in implementing Where We Live NYC and other federal commitments;
• Provide guidance on program and policy design to ensure current and proposed policies and programs affirmatively further fair housing;
• Identify missing policies and tools necessary to advance HPD’s fair housing priorities and work with teams across the agency to develop robust and evidence-backed policy proposals;
• Collect, assess, and synthesize relevant evidence to advance federal fair housing-related legislative and budget priorities;
• Collaborate closely within DHP and actively support learning and development across the team; and
• Other special projects and initiatives to affirmatively further fair housing, as needed.

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and three years of full-time satisfactory professional experience in the development, appraisal, financing, negotiation, or disposition of real estate, or in real estate law, or in urban planning or analytical or coordination work related to housing programs; or

2. A four year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a State’s Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization and seven years of full-time satisfactory experience as described in “1” above; or

3.A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience which is equivalent to “1” or “2” above. Graduate study in the field of urban studies, city planning, business or public administration, finance, architecture, engineering or other related fields may be substituted for up to one year of the required experience on the basis of 30 credits equaling one year of experience. Graduation from an accredited law school may be substituted for one year of the required experience. However, all candidates must have at least two years of experience as described above.

Strong candidates will also have the following:

• Understanding of and interest in housing policy and fair housing law;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills;
• Strong attention to detail, project management and organization skills;
• Creativity, self-awareness, emotional intelligence and grit;
• Passion for public service; and
• Commitment to advancing equity and inclusion through policy and in the office.

Additional Information

Any finalist hired into this position will need to take and pass the next Open-Competitive Associate Housing Development Specialist exam that is posted. In addition, the position is open to applicants who are already permanent in the Associate Housing Development Specialist title, or permanent in another comparable civil service title. Internal candidates must provide proof that they filed for exam #3514 to be qualified.

In addition, the Department of Housing Preservation & Development offers competitive salaries and the following benefits: Generous Pension Plans (The New York Employees’ Retirement System);
401(k) and Roth 457(k) Retirement Savings Programs; U.S. Savings Bonds Flexible Spending Program; Health Benefits, Dental, Vision Coverage, Prescription Drug Program; Training and Professional Development; Opportunity for Scholarship; ‘College Savings Program; Paid Holidays and Generous Annual Leave.

HPD’s vision is to promote strength and diversity in our workforce and an inclusive and equitable work environment.