HTC's Peter Ward thinks 'perfect' housing plan not possible in today's political climate

One of the chief criticisms of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s affordable housing plan is that it won’t be affordable for the low-income populations in New York City that are in desperate need of quality housing.

Peter Ward and the Hotel Trades Council are well aware that community boards and elected officials have raised this objection, but as he points out in the second part of an interview with City & State, a “perfect” housing plan is not possible in today’s political climate. Ward noted that with the federal and state government no longer investing money in urban housing, the de Blasio administration was forced to come up with a plan that incentivizes developers, but uses city subsidies to ensure affordability.

Ward also shed some light on what he and his union membership will do to change the perception among housing advocates and community boards that the mayor’s housing plan is not as inclusive as it can be. Ward said that the personal appeal on behalf of union members struggling to make ends meet in an increasingly unaffordable city would be a big part of that conversation.