Today, the New York Times published ACHP Chair Sara Bronin’s letter responding to a column by Binyamin Appelbaum which suggested that New York must choose between preserving its historic buildings and affordable housing. Bronin wrote that historic buildings need not be a barrier to affordable housing. In fact, rehabilitating and reusing historic buildings for housing can be a key part of addressing housing shortages.

“The Advisory Council stands ready to work with cities like New York to implement, test and refine progressive preservation strategies that allow more people to live in and benefit from the inspiring places that connect us to our past,” Bronin said.

In December, the ACHP approved a policy statement on housing and historic preservation that advances a multi-pronged strategy, at all levels of government, to encourage rehabilitation of historic buildings for housing and accelerate permitting and environmental review. The policy statement also will provide a critical tool for community groups, nonprofit organizations, developers, and others in the private sector to use in advancing preservation values while proactively expediting housing creation and retention.

Read Chair Bronin’s full letter to the editor here.