New York, September 14, 2009 – The New York Housing Conference (NYHC), announced the creation today of the Young Leadership Council, an organization within NYHC that will encourage, sustain  and reinforce the active participation of young real estate professionals in advocacy for affordable housing development nationwide.

 

The Young Leadership Council will be co-chaired by Stephanie Knepper, 27, and Christopher Herrmann, 24. 

 

Membership is free and is open to anyone who works in any field of multifamily real estate including developers, owners and managers, builders and contractors, commercial real estate finance professionals, academicians, attorneys, architects and urban planners, and others.  Anyone who wishes to join the Young Leadership Council may apply for membership by visiting www.thenyhc.org.

 

Judith Calogero, CEO of NYHC said, “There has never been a better or more important time to become involved in affordable housing.  America is confronted by a housing crisis, and I am convinced that today’s talented young housing professionals are a key to the solution.  For a young person entering the industry, the potential for accomplishment is unprecedented.”

 

The Young Leadership Council’s mission will mirror that of NYHC – to advocate for the housing needs of all New Yorkers through affordable housing legislation with adequate funding and workable regulations. The organization also promotes increased public awareness of the need for and benefit of affordable housing in New York.

 

Ms. Knepper is an associate at SKA Marin, developers, consultants and owners in affordable housing and community development.  Her areas of expertise include project management, the public review process of projects, developing strategic plans for the firm’s growth, and interfacing with project counsel.   Ms. Knepper has a B.A from Brandeis University and a J.D. from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.

 

As an underwriter for Enterprise Community Investment, Inc. Mr. Herrmann manages developer relations in several states in the eastern U.S. He analyzes, evaluates and bids on affordable housing investment opportunities that leverage the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and the Federal Historic Tax Credit.  Since 2006, he has facilitated more than 20 transactions comprising 1,300 units.  Mr. Herrmann graduated summa cum laude from Northeastern University with a BS in business administration and a dual concentration in finance and entrepreneurship.

 

Ms. Knepper said, “I’m honored to be selected by NYHC to become a first co-chair and I look forward to forming a dynamic, active organization of my peers.  We’ll devote the coming months to building the Young Leadership Council and setting an agenda for housing advocacy and progress.”

 

She added, “I encourage all young professionals throughout New York State to join us.  Our group’s name begins with ‘Young,’ but we certainly will not discriminate by age.”

 

Mr. Herrmann said, “This is a time in our history when we can make a real difference in the housing environment.  If you are willing to spend time in setting an agenda for housing advocacy, the personal and professional benefits – in terms of professional development and networking alone – will be worth the effort.”

 

John Kelly and Carol Lamberg, co-chairs of NYHC Board of Directors, said, “The formation of the Young Leadership Council is a first in our organization’s decades-long history.  We welcome and encourage Stephanie and Chris, and we are delighted to offer them our full support.  The future of housing is ready to be written by their generation.”

 

Founded in 1973, the New York Housing Conference (NYHC) joined the National Housing Conference as its first regional affiliate in 1976.  NYHC advocates for the housing needs of New Yorkers through affordable housing legislation with adequate funding and workable regulations.  The organization also promotes increased public awareness of the need for and benefit of affordable housing in New York.  Visit www.thenyhc.org today.