Clara Fox
1917-2007
Clara Fox, founder and co-chair of the New York Housing Conference, was a fierce and effective housing advocate for affordable housing—her visionary leadership and lifelong commitment to subsidized housing spanned decades and touched millions of families. She was widely noted for her ability to identify problems and emerging issues and design workable solutions. Throughout her life, her tireless dedication kept her at the forefront of the effort to promote public housing and to ensure that the City housed its working families.
Clara began her career in the field of early childhood education and was instrumental in the creation of New York City’s Head Start Program. She held numerous positions in government and nonprofit organizations, wrote extensively and lectured frequently.
One of Clara’s proudest achievements was the rescue of Manhattan Plaza, the 1688-unit development for performing artists that began the revitalization of Times Square. She was elected as an honorary member of the Actors’ Equity Association and made Manhattan Plaza her home.
Clara Fox with Susan Cole and Carol Lamberg
In 1969, Clara founded the Settlement Housing Fund and worked as its executive director until 1983, when she became director emeritus. In 1973, she founded and co-chaired the New York Housing Conference. She was also a life trustee of the National Housing Conference. Through service on many nonprofit housing boards and her extensive sphere of influence, Clara was a mentor and guide to many working in the housing field.
Clara Fox with Luncheon Chairman Robert O. Lehrman, 2005
Clara originated the idea of combining low- and moderate-income housing with social programs and ran the first leadership training programs for new owners of middle-income cooperative housing. Years later, when she visited these cooperatives, residents would stop to greet and thank her. She was also one of the first nonprofit professionals to work in joint ventures with the for-profit sector.
Until the very end of her life, she was a passionate advocate for affordable housing, and was especially concerned about the lack of middle income housing in New York City. We were fortunate to have her guidance and dedication for so long—she will be missed.
Clara Fox with then-Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (NYHC Luncheon)
