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Low Income Housing Fund $40,000
New York, New York
Howard Banker, Program Manager
The Low Income Housing Fund was established in 1984 to make private capital available for low
income housing projects at favorable rates and terms. The Fund assists not-for-profit housing developers
by lending its own funds, packaging loans from other sources, and providing technical
assistance, particularly to human service providers new to real estate who seek to develop housing for
their clients. In 1991, the Fund established an office in New York City which to date has packaged
and committed approximately $16 million in 56 housing loans. During the coming year, the New York
office will make loans from its revolving loan fund and New York Community Loan Pool to finance
the development and preservation of low-income cooperatives, Single Room Occupancy hotels, and
other transitional and permanent housing for low-income individuals and families, including homeless,
mentally ill, and elderly New Yorkers, and people with AIDS. Where appropriate opportunities
exist, staff will negotiate with city and state agencies to secure government support for projects
financed by the Fund. Our grant is in support of this work.
Municipal Art Society
New York, New York
Brendan Sexton, President
$35,000
Founded in 1892, the Municipal Art Society today is a membership organization concerned with
preservation, conservation, and city planning. In 1989, the Society established a Planning Center to
provide education and technical assistance to community activists, advocates, and professionals
involved in city planning and development. The Center's mission is to make the planning process
more responsive to local community social and economic concerns. Over the past few years, in the
course of monitoring various zoning reform proposals, Center staff have become acutely aware of the
importance of small manufacturing businesses to the economic vitality of many low- and moderateincome
neighborhoods. One issue of significant concern to small manufacturers is the city's proposal
to allow superstores to locate in areas previously zoned for manufacturing. Building on research and
public forums conducted last year, the Center is undertaking, with our assistance, an advocacy campaign
to promote the adoption of a review process and standards that will facilitate the successful
development of superstores in appropriate locations without harming existing businesses or reducing
the quality of life in city neighborhoods.