As the coronavirus pandemic continues to drive New York City into a devastating economic crisis, the city is seeing an already troubling housing crisis grow worse. And with many New Yorkers experiencing financial hardship due to the pandemic, affordable housing is more important than ever.

But advocates say the city's affordable housing policies not only deny affordable housing to some of the city's most vulnerable populations, they also perpetuate racial segregation.

The city currently allocates 50% of units to people already living in the community district where affordable housing will be built.

Craig Gurian, the executive director of the Anti-Discrimination Center, recently filed a lawsuit against the city challenging that practice. He discussed the suit, and the issue, with Errol Louis on Inside City Hall.

In a statement, the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development said, “Our housing strategy seeks to empower residents looking for housing outside their communities while providing opportunities for those who wish to stay. Community Preference is a vital part of that overall strategy. The City’s experts analyzed the data and found that people who move into HPD housing represent the diversity that makes our neighborhoods great, and addresses key housing challenges.”