Behind the Research

About the Urban Tech Hub

The Urban Tech Hub of the Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute at Cornell Tech is a new venture in New York City that generates applied research, fosters an expanding tech ecosystem, and cultivates the next generation of leaders in urban technology. Our goal is to shape the field of urban tech with a human-centered approach that focuses first on the people that use the technology. We advance technology research and education to build a better world by increasing access and opportunity within the tech sector.

Based at the Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute at Cornell Tech, the Urban Tech Hub leverages the resources of Cornell University and brings together researchers, engineers, scientists, urban tech companies, government agencies, and community organizations to address the challenges facing cities today. Visit urban.tech.cornell.edu

Meet the Researcher - Mirtha Santana

Mirtha Santana’s research, conducted at the Jacobs Institute Urban Hub at Cornell Tech, underscores the critical significance of the affordable housing leasing process. Her deep dedication to preventing homelessness is rooted in her unwavering belief that no child should ever have to spend a night in a homeless shelter. This research is deeply personal since Mirtha lived in public housing through her college years and understands the power of subsidized housing.

Before assuming her role as a Fellow at Cornell Tech, she served as the Chief Program Officer at Riseboro Community Partnership, where she successfully led the Empowerment, Education, Seniors, and Food Justice divisions. Presently, she holds the position of Collective Program Officer and Co-CEO at the Health Equity Collective, where her leadership continues to make a positive impact.

Mirtha serves as a board member of the New York Housing Conference, actively contributing to housing advocacy efforts. She is a Dominican immigrant and a mother of three, she resides in the vibrant borough of Queens, New York.

Summary of Project

A comprehensive study of the leasing process of affordable housing in NYC

Affordable housing is a pressing issue in New York City, where skyrocketing rents and limited housing options have left many residents struggling to find suitable and affordable homes. To address this concern, an in-depth research study was conducted, employing a combination of user interviews, desk research, and surveys. This comprehensive approach aimed to better understand the challenges, needs, and preferences of NYC residents in their quest for affordable housing.

• 10 group sessions
• Analysis of City and State government agencies involved in lottery affordable housing and portals used to apply, manage and track public benefits. This link shows you a summary of that analysis.
• 65,000 affordable units represented

User Interviews

User interviews played a central role in the research, allowing for personal, in-depth insights into the experiences of individuals and families in NYC. Mirtha engaged with a diverse range of respondents, including tenants, property owners, housing advocacy groups, and policymakers. Mirtha conducted 10 group sessions with a Task Force of people with lived experience, where they identified challenges and priorities and dreamed of a better system. She also conducted interviews with 11 property owners who combined operate over 50,000 units of affordable housing. Lastly, she consulted with multiple city and state agencies including HPD, HDC, HRA, and HCR.

Desk Research

Desk research was conducted to complement the qualitative data collected through interviews. This involved a comprehensive review of existing literature, housing policies, and market trends in NYC. The key areas of focus in desk research included:

1. Housing Market Analysis: An examination of vacancy rates, and housing supply, to provide context for the affordability issue. This includes the Mayor’s Management Report and the HPD’s Local Law 217 of 2019 Report.
2. Existing Affordable Housing Programs: An overview of the various government and non-profit programs aimed at providing affordable housing in NYC, including their successes and shortcomings.
3. Legal and Regulatory Framework: An exploration of the legal and regulatory landscape governing housing in NYC.
4. The structure of public benefits: An analysis of all NYC public benefits and their relationship to subsidized housing.
5. The interception with benefits and technology: An exploration of the systems, platforms, and programs used by the city to support eligibility determination, enrollment,disbursement and certification of public benefits including Housing Connect, CARES, Workers Connect, Current and Access HRA.

Survey

Mirtha surveyed property owners to determine their needs and priorities. The survey had 17 respondents representing over 65,000 units of affordable housing. The survey highlighted how much longer it takes to lease an affordable apartment in comparison to a market rate unit and their desire to use technology to increase efficiencies.

Conclusion

The results will provide valuable insights into the challenges faced by NYC residents in their search for affordable housing, their preferences, and potential policy and market-driven solutions. Ultimately, the research aims to contribute to the development of more effective strategies to address the affordable housing crisis in New York City.