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ALBANY, NY (September 18, 2026) – The New York State Association for Affordable Housing (NYSAFAH) yesterday held its Annual Upstate New York Affordable Housing Conference in Albany, with sessions examining how state agencies, developers, and industry leaders can collaborate to expand and preserve affordable housing across the state. 

As one of the largest and most anticipated events in the affordable housing sector, the conference brought together more than 600 attendees along with representatives from every facet of the industry. Topics included tax credit financing and capital stacking, Section 8 rules for landlords, navigating multi-jurisdictional approvals, and meeting the needs of vulnerable populations. 

“NYSAFAH continues to bring innovative ideas and strong leadership to the table, helping to shape the conversation around affordable housing while working to deliver and preserve the high-quality affordable housing New Yorkers need,” said NYSAFAH President & CEO Carlina Rivera. “I deeply appreciate and thank everyone who helped made this year’s Upstate Conference a success and look forward to working with our members as well as our state and municipal partners to build on the progress of the past year to address the ongoing affordable housing crisis.”  

Highlights of this year’s conference included a morning plenary moderated by Dan Clark, journalist with the Times Union, featuring Commissioner Barbara Guinn (NYS OTDA), Commissioner Amanda Lefton (NYS DEC), and Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas (NYS HCR), who discussed opportunities for state agency collaboration in addressing New York’s housing needs.  

The luncheon program featured a fireside chat with Syracuse Mayor Sharon Owens, moderated by Liz Benjamin, of Marathon Strategies. 

Links to the plenary and the fireside chat can be accessed here and here.  

“New York has been in the middle of a housing crisis for far too long,” said NYSAFAH Board Chair Samantha Magistro, CEO of Bronx Pro Group. “Rents have outpaced wages in communities across the state, and vacancy rates in many of our cities remain at historic lows. And yet, there’s real and measurable progress to point to, much of it because of the people who joined us for this year’s Upstate Conference. That progress reflects the ability of our industry to take policy, investment, and opportunity and turn them into real homes and results for New Yorkers.” 

For more information on the conference schedule, events, and speakers, please visit the official event website. 

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