In this mini episode, real estate veteran David Lebenstein, Executive Managing Director, Not For Profit Specialty Practice Group at Cushman & Wakefield, joins The NYC Workforce Drop to share a powerful story about balancing development pressures with the moral imperative to keep vulnerable New Yorkers housed.

David walks listeners through two real-world examples where nonprofits faced difficult decisions about selling or renovating Single Room Occupancy (SRO) buildings with residents still living inside. Instead of displacing tenants, David and his partners worked with City Hall to close financial gaps, protect residents, and ensure dignified transitions when relocation was necessary.

The conversation highlights the friction between market forces and mission-driven goals, the importance of creative problem-solving, and the human impact of policy choices.

Mini episodes of The NYC Workforce Drop deliver high-impact insights in under 15 minutes, perfect for leaders on the go who want clear analysis and bold ideas for NYC’s workforce future.

Published by: New York City Employment and Training Coalition (NYCETC)

Produced by: Manhattan Neighborhood Network

Topics: affordable housing, nonprofit partnerships, SRO preservation, ethical development, tenant protection, City Hall negotiations, housing policy, displacement prevention, public-private collaboration, NYC real estate