Mayor Eric Adams on Tuesday announced Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer will step into an expanded role to handle housing initiatives following the resignation of Jessica Katz.
Torres-Springer will now spearhead the city's initiatives to improve NYCHA complexes, provide stable housing for those experiencing homelessness and work towards Adams' goal of constructing 500,000 new homes within the next decade, according to a press release from the city.
Since January 2022, Torres-Springer has served as the deputy mayor for economic and workforce development, helping accelerate housing development efforts, the release said.
“In a year and half with this administration and throughout her career in public service, Deputy Mayor Torres-Springer has shown clearly that she is ready to take bold action to tackle the city’s affordable housing crisis,” Adams said in a statement.
“She has a proven record of creating affordable housing and economic opportunity for New Yorkers, and her leadership of our economic recovery efforts has delivered real results.”
Torres-Springer, who grew up in Section 8 housing, said in a statement she is looking forward to continuing to help the city improve its housing infrastructure.
“Under Mayor Adams’ leadership, we came in with a bold agenda to change the paradigm for how we grow equitably as a city. I am incredibly humbled to further serve New Yorkers as we strive to provide stable housing for our neighbors, protect our existing affordable and public housing, and identify new ways to make housing affordable for all New Yorkers at this critical moment in our city’s history.”
Torres-Springer has led three city agencies with over 3,000 employees, according to City Hall.
Katz, the former chief housing officer, announced her resignation on May 24, a little over a year after she was tasked with overseeing NYCHA, HPD, the New York City Housing Development Corporation, the Mayor’s Office of Housing Recovery Operations and the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants.
The role was created in January 2022 and Katz was the first person to serve in the position.
Her final date in office has yet to be announced.