Furman Center launches major subsidized housing online database

furman center logo illustrationThe Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy and its Institute for Affordable Housing Policy have launched the Subsidized Housing Information Project (SHIP), an interactive online database containing information on nearly 235,000 units of privately owned subsidized rental housing in New York City.

Consolidating information from 50 public and private data sources into one searchable web-based resource, SHIP resulted from an ongoing multiyear partnership with the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, the New York City Housing Development Corporation, New York State Homes and Community Renewal, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Government agencies, advocates, the media, and the public can now access information on every privately owned property receiving public subsidies from any of four government programs.

“SHIP will arm policy makers with the information they need to create effective and fair preservation policies to protect the more than 171,000 low- and moderate-income New York City households that rely on these subsidy programs for quality, affordable housing,” said Vicki Been ’83, Boxer Family Professor of Law and the Furman Center’s faculty director.

The new database is expected to serve a number of important functions. SHIP will allow different actors to track subsidized units covered by regulatory agreements  whose coverage is due to expire, prompting agencies to develop new strategies to protect such properties. The information will also enable agencies to collaborate on rehabilitation and recapitalization efforts targeted at properties in which they share a common interest.

“This comprehensive database will help preserve affordable housing in New York City,” said New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, “by allowing us to track at-risk subsidized housing units and ensuring tenants, community organizations and the Council have enough time to anticipate and develop preservation strategies to protect our affordable housing assets.”

Published on September 8, 2011