"Levy, a New Jersey native, has spent most of her career working in housing policy in New York, but she never called the city home. She lived in Jersey City for 20 years, but city agency commissioners are required to reside in the five boroughs. The apartment hunt proved to be "a lot to do very quickly while also really trying to be focused on the job," Levy said."
"Like 70 percent of New Yorkers, Levy rents her home, and she is the first HPD commissioner to do so while in the role in at least a decade. Her status as a renter has particular resonance given HPD's work: The agency manages the affordable housing lottery, administers Section 8 rental vouchers, finances new and preserves existing income-restricted housing, enforces the housing codes, and holds landlords accountable to make building repairs."
"Though there's no shortage of horror stories about nailing down a decent New York City rental, Levy's search was smooth, by her account. She encountered no scams or game-playing, and locked down an apartment in just three weeks. "It would have been very challenging to do this if I did not have the resources or if my husband didn't have flexibility," Levy said."
Dina Levy was announced as commissioner of the Department of Housing Preservation and Development and immediately began searching for an apartment within city limits to satisfy residency requirements. Levy lived in Jersey City for 20 years and had worked in New York housing policy without previously living in the city. As a renter, she joins HPD leadership with direct experience in the rental market. The agency oversees the affordable housing lottery, Section 8 vouchers, financing and preservation of income-restricted housing, code enforcement, and landlord accountability. Levy reported a relatively smooth three-week apartment search aided by online listings, friends, and her husband's flexible schedule.
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