Deborah VanAmerongen is a strategic policy advisor in Nixon Peabody’s Affordable Housing practice group. She works with attorneys in the firm and clients, including developers, owners, managers, and funders to craft creative solutions to issues relative to affordable housing development and preservation.
I focus my practice on complex affordable housing transactions, including those that entail interaction with several governmental agencies and numerous funding sources. I also introduce clients to new opportunities and markets and build partnerships between clients and community groups where that partnership will facilitate the success of a transaction.
Our New York Affordable Housing team, representing both transactional and regulatory experience, has worked with developers who are partnering with the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) to redevelop its existing public housing and build new affordable housing on sites made available by NYCHA. The unique combination of our deep regulatory understanding (including HUD policies and programs) and years of experience closing complex affordable housing financial transactions has put us in the center of this growing part of the New York affordable housing industry.
Our firm has always placed a strong emphasis on staying ahead of developments in affordable housing policy at the city, state and federal levels. Through my role on the Executive Committee of the New York State Association for Affordable Housing (NYSAFAH) and on the Board of the Supportive Housing Network of NY (SHNNY), along with the roles that several of the other practitioners in our firm have with other national and local housing advocacy organizations, we are able to stay in the forefront of policy discussions with the various governmental agencies. This enables us to better advise our clients and spot opportunities and risks that may impact their business.
The extraordinary demand on the resources available from New York City and New York State housing agencies has forced ever more creative deal structuring, and these challenges will continue for the foreseeable future. I believe there will be a continued and enhanced emphasis on combining supportive services with affordable housing development. I also see HUD and NYCHA continuing its emphasis on the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD and PACT) program to revitalize public housing developments.
Affordable Housing Finance | March 16, 2020
New York City Affordable Housing and Real Estate Strategic Policy Advisor Deborah VanAmerongen analyzes new COVID-19 guidance from the Department of Housing and Urban Development for owners and managers of HUD-assisted housing.
Long Island Business News | November 21, 2019
This story highlights Nixon Peabody’s work on a deal to open a 135-unit supportive and affordable housing development for homeless veterans and low-income families in Brooklyn. Partner Aaron Yowell, partner-elect Dana Roper, and strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen, all of the Affordable Housing & Real Estate Group in New York City, were part of the deal team. Aaron is quoted in the article.
Affordable Housing Finance | June 10, 2019
New York City strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen and Washington DC partner Nate Cushman, both of the Affordable Housing and Real Estate practice group, co-wrote this contributed article highlighting opportunities under HUD’s Rental Assistance Demonstration program.
Affordable Housing Finance | November 15, 2018
New York City strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen, of the Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice group, says the new leadership of the House Appropriations Committee is likely to push the Department of Housing and Urban Development for additional financing for affordable housing.
Capital Tonight | September 26, 2018
New York City Affordable Housing & Real Estate senior strategic advisor Deborah VanAmerongen was a guest on Spectrum News’ “Capital Tonight” newscast for a panel discussion on affordable housing in upstate New York.
City & State New York | March 26, 2018
New York City affordable housing strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen has been named one of the New York’s most remarkable women for her work on housing policy.
Affordable Housing Finance | March 26, 2018
New York City affordable housing strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen provides thought leadership on New York City and state funding for public housing.
State University of New York, Rockefeller College, M.P.A.
Syracuse University, Utica College, B.S.
Deborah is a member of the board of editors for Affordable Housing Finance magazine, and served as the co-chair of the National Council of State Housing Agencies’s Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Task Force. She serves on the boards of the Housing Advisory Group, the New York State Association for Affordable Housing, and the Supportive Housing Network of New York. She is also a participant in the National Housing & Rehabilitation Association and the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition.
