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. This entails combining RAD, Section 18 and Section 22 disposition processes. 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 | August 01, 2022
This roundup of notable industry moves highlights the selection of New York City strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen as deputy leader of the firm’s Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice, noting her previous role as commissioner of the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal. The article also mentions Deborah will work closely with Chris Froeb, who was recently named to lead the firm’s Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice.
McKnight’s Senior Living | July 28, 2022
This roundup of seniors housing news includes New York City strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen’s selection as deputy leader of the firm’s Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice. The article notes Deborah’s previous role as Commissioner of the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal.
Bloomberg Law | July 20, 2022
This roundup of legal industry news includes the selection of New York City strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen as deputy leader of the firm’s Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice. The article notes Deborah’s previous role as commissioner of the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal.
Law360 | July 13, 2022
Deputy Affordable Housing & Real Estate practice group leader Deborah VanAmerongen, of the New York City office, is quoted in this article on how recently proposed federal banking reform could impact affordable housing investment and potentially increase the effectiveness of the Community Reinvestment Act. Deborah explains how various parties employ the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, and how the CRA can add to the motivation of financial institutions to finance affordable housing transactions because it counts toward their rating score.
Wealth Management | June 22, 2022
Affordable Housing & Real Estate deputy practice group leader Deborah VanAmerongen, of the New York City office, is quoted in this article covering investment in affordable housing properties. Deborah explains how investors could work with municipalities to understand incentives that may be available in exchange for maintaining affordability.
New York YIMBY | August 04, 2021
This article covers Camber Property Group&rsquos latest acquisition of an affordable housing apartment in the New York City neighborhood of Harlem. The deal will extend affordability protections for the maximum 40-year term through a new U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development contract and an agreement with the City of New York. NP is mentioned for the work by New York City partner Aaron Yowell, strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen, and associate James Allen, and Boston counsel Alexander Rosso, all in the Affordable Housing & Real Estate group, for advising Camber Property.
Multi-Housing News | March 30, 2021
This article on the $35.8 million rehabilitation of an affordable housing community for seniors in White Plains, NY, mentions the firm for the work of New York City Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Joe Lynch and strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen as borrower counsel.
New York Real Estate Journal | March 02, 2021
This article, focusing on the slated project to preserve Calvary Baptist Church Senior Housing’s studio and one-bedroom apartments for low-income seniors, mentions the firm for the work by New York City partner Joe Lynch and strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen and Rochester associate Matt Carrigg, all in the Affordable Housing & Real Estate group, in advising CB Emmanuel.
WealthManagement.com | February 09, 2021
This article, on how investors are finding more ways to invest in affordable housing, quotes New York City Affordable Housing & Real Estate strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen on how geography comes into play with tax credits and investments made by private equity firms and developers.
Affordable Housing Finance - Lessons Learned in 2020 | January 04, 2021
New York City Affordable Housing & Real Estate strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen is quoted in Affordable Housing Finance’s 2021 outlook and 2020 year-end articles. Deborah is quoted for her perspective on the exponential growth in the need for affordable housing and how the adjustments by industry practitioners to the “new normal“ improved efficiency.
Affordable Housing Finance | January 04, 2021
New York City Affordable Housing & Real Estate strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen is quoted in Affordable Housing Finance’s 2021 outlook and 2020 year-end articles. Deborah is quoted for her perspective on the exponential growth in the need for affordable housing and how the adjustments by industry practitioners to the “new normal“ improved efficiency.
Connect CRE | December 18, 2020
The firm was mentioned in this article on the FHA Section 223(f) refinancing loan for Israel Senior Citizen Housing I and II, an apartment complex for the elderly in the Far Rockaway neighborhood of Queens, NY. Washington, D.C. partner Susanna Mitchell and New York City strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen, both of the Affordable Housing & Real Estate group, advised JASA Corporation in the deal.
Real Estate Weekly | December 16, 2020
The firm was mentioned in this article on the FHA Section 223(f) refinancing loan for Israel Senior Citizen Housing I and II, an apartment complex for the elderly in the Far Rockaway neighborhood of Queens, NY. Washington, D.C. partner Susanna Mitchell and New York City strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen, both in the Affordable Housing & Real Estate group, advised JASA Corporation in the deal.
Affordable Housing Finance | December 02, 2020
This article on the conversion of 90 Sands St.—a well-known building in New York City and former Jehovah Witnesses’ hotel—into affordable and supportive housing mentions the firm for the work of New York City Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Joe Lynch, strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen, and associate Julia Casteleiro in representing Breaking Ground, New York’s largest supportive housing developer.
Multi-Housing News | November 24, 2020
The following articles highlight the conversion of 90 Sands St.—a well-known building in New York City and former Jehovah Witnesses’ hotel—into affordable and supportive housing. The firm was mentioned for the work by New York City Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Joe Lynch, strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen, and associate Julia Casteleiro in representing Breaking Ground, New York’s largest supportive housing developer.
Bisnow | November 24, 2020
This article on the conversion of 90 Sands St.—a well-known building in New York City and former Jehovah Witnesses’ hotel—into affordable and supportive housing mentions the firm for the work of New York City Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Joe Lynch, strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen, and associate Julia Casteleiro in representing Breaking Ground, New York’s largest supportive housing developer.
Brooklyn Daily Eagle | November 23, 2020
The following article highlights the conversion of 90 Sands St.—a well-known building in New York City and former Jehovah Witnesses’ hotel—into affordable and supportive housing. The firm was mentioned for the work by New York City Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Joe Lynch, strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen, and associate Julia Casteleiro in representing Breaking Ground, New York’s largest supportive housing developer.
Real Estate Weekly | November 23, 2020
The following article highlights the conversion of 90 Sands St.—a well-known building in New York City and former Jehovah Witnesses’ hotel—into affordable and supportive housing. The firm was mentioned for the work by New York City Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Joe Lynch, strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen, and associate Julia Casteleiro in representing Breaking Ground, New York’s largest supportive housing developer.
NJBiz | October 22, 2020
This article mentions the firm for representing Hudson Valley Property Group LLC in its partnership with Nuveen Investments for the purchase of a 412-unit affordable apartment portfolio in Jersey City. The deal team included New York partner Aaron Yowell and strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen, Boston partner Chris Froeb, and Washington, D.C. partner Susanna Mitchell, all of the Affordable Housing & Real Estate group.
Affordable Housing Finance | October 21, 2020
This article mentions the firm for representing Hudson Valley Property Group LLC in its partnership with Nuveen Investments for the purchase of a 412-unit affordable apartment portfolio in Jersey City. The deal team included New York partner Aaron Yowell and strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen, Boston partner Chris Froeb, and Washington, D.C. partner Susanna Mitchell, all of the Affordable Housing & Real Estate group.
National Real Estate Investor | October 14, 2020
This article, on how developers and investors dedicated to preserving affordable housing are raising capital to bid for properties, quotes New York Affordable Housing & Real Estate strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen for her thoughts on buyers’ potential opportunities to purchase several types of properties.
Real Estate Weekly | October 13, 2020
This article mentions the firm for representing Hudson Valley Property Group LLC in its partnership with Nuveen Investments in the purchase of a 412-unit affordable apartment portfolio in Jersey City. The deal team included New York partner Aaron Yowell and strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen, Boston partner Chris Froeb, and Washington, D.C. partner Susanna Mitchell, all of the Affordable Housing & Real Estate group.
Affordable Housing Finance | September 22, 2020
This article quotes New York Affordable Housing and Real Estate strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen on a potentially historic opportunity to address the affordable housing crisis by accessing some older properties not originally built as affordable housing.
National Real Estate Investor | September 16, 2020
In this article on apartment developers and their outlook on the real estate market, New York Affordable Housing & Real Estate strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen is quoted on the possible use of hotels for affordable housing.
Multi-Housing News | August 06, 2020
This article on Fort Schuyler House, a 138-unit affordable senior housing community in the Bronx, mentions NP for the work of New York City Affordable Housing & Real Estate partners Joe Lynch and Meghan Altidor, and strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen representing the developer in the deal.
Affordable Housing Finance | July 28, 2020
This article on the $224 million in supplemental payments that the Department of Housing and Urban Development is making available to owners of properties receiving project-based rental assistance links to New York City Affordable Housing & Real Estate counsel Kathie Soroka and strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen’s client alert on the topic.
Affordable Housing Finance | June 23, 2020
In this article detailing progress and challenges that housing programs face in their fight against homelessness, New York City Affordable Housing & Real Estate strategic policy advisor Deborah VanAmerongen provides her perspective on why affordability remains one of the biggest challenges.
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.
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.
