On December 11, 2025, Asset Funders Network and Deutsche Bank hosted an AFN Cross-Regional Renter Wealth Building Meeting to learn about focused efforts to support renters. We discussed specific ways to support renters by focused efforts to provide emergency savings and expanding access and take-up of vital policies. The Panel was followed by a facilitated Q&A on rent burden and how network members are investing in understanding the problem and thinking about solutions.
About the Meeting:
The economics simply do not work for low-and moderate income families in New York City. Skyrocketing rents compete with other necessities as we see increases in overall cost of living- from groceries to childcare – that far exceed the limits of commensurate income and wage growth. Unexpected shocks like car payments and medical bills can further negatively impact a family’s bottom line- and force difficult spending choices.
By traditional measures that indicate that paying 30% or more of income is a rent-burden, more than fifty percent of New Yorkers are, in fact, rent burdened by this standard. Recent research from SaverLife on New York City family balance sheets showed that:
- 28% of respondents were behind on rent
- 49% paid late at least once last year
- Nearly 20% were threatened with evictions
- Lack of savings exacerbates delinquency and negatively impacts housing security
- Rent and other necessities compete and often leave shortages- car repair and medical bills being the most common
- Many more need help than actually receive it
How can we better support low and moderate income renters make ends meet and create an emergency savings cushion to cover rental and other costs?
Speakers:
Sandra Chanduvi– VP of Financial Coaching, Neighborhood Trust Financial Partners
Neil Reilly- Assistant Commissioner for Housing Equity, NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development
Tamara Lindsay– Chief of Strategy, CFE Fund
Maya Pendleton– Senior Research Manager, Saverlife
Lisa Talma– VP of Philanthropic Initiatives, Deutsche Bank
Speaker Bios
Resources:
The Skyline: How Two Cities Leveraged Financial Empowerment As Connective Tissue for Housing Success
