NYCHA’s Policy Advisor Presents at International Sustainability Conference 

NYCHA Policy Advisor Debora Lopes discussed the latest developments in sustainability and wellness in built spaces at the 2022 Greenbuild International Conference in San Francisco last week.  

“It was fantastic to present on NYCHA’s decarbonization roadmap, especially our Clean Heat for all Challenge,” Ms. Lopes said. “Decarbonization in affordable housing requires ambitious policies and innovation, and New York is at the forefront of that effort.” Ms. Lopes presented along with NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development Chief Sustainability Officer Jennifer Leone and New York State Homes and Community Renewal Vice President of Sustainability Samantha Pearce. 

Together, they highlighted innovative sustainability programs at NYCHA and described their progress on affordable housing, electrification, and meeting decarbonization requirements.  

As a NYCHA resident, the panel’s moderator Daphany Rose Sanchez, who lives at Cooper Park Houses, described her first-hand knowledge of these efforts. She is also president of Kinetic Communities Consulting (KC3), a sustainability company she founded to provide energy-efficiency education and opportunities to low- to moderate-income New Yorkers. 

Ms. Lopes particularly appreciated being on an all-woman panel. “Diverse viewpoints are critical in driving change,” she said. 

At the Greenbuild Sustainability Conference, from left: NYCHA Policy Advisor Debora Lopes, NYC Homes and Community Renewal VP of Sustainability Samantha Pearce, NYC Housing Preservation and Development Chief Sustainability Officer Jennifer Leone, and Kinetic Communities Consulting Executive Director Daphany Rose Sanchez