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Q&A

Council Member Epstein on matching capital dollars and forgivable loans for Mitchell-Lamas

New York City Council · Jul 15, 2026 · starts 2:00:00 · 1 min 35 sec

Epstein asks why HPD doesn't match council members' Reso A capital dollars and why not offer forgivable loans. Phillips says HPD usually puts in far more than matching amounts and the loans defer and accrue. Epstein raises it as a roundtable topic.

Harvey D. Epstein

us to use our res away money why not have HPD matches we put a million you put a million and we all walk away happy why not do that we do that for night show

Harvey D. Epstein

we do that government money comes in for night show we put money in for night show why not like me just halfway and do some free money for Mitchell Alamas too

Adam Phillips

Yeah, so we usually do far more than a couple million dollars, right?

Adam Phillips

When we do a preservation outcome or a larger recapitalization, we're usually putting in a lot of city capital.

Harvey D. Epstein

But this is loans, not grants.

Adam Phillips

They're loans, but they're structured on what the project is able to pay.

Adam Phillips

So I think in the case of Tracy Towers, we're not requiring any payments on the HPD debt.

Adam Phillips

It'll defer and accrue.

Harvey D. Epstein

So you're willing to give forgivable loans in these situations?

Adam Phillips

They're not forgivable.

Adam Phillips

They'll balloon at the end, but there's no principal and interest payments due.

Harvey D. Epstein

And why not do forgivable loans?

Adam Phillips

I don't think that's within our...

Adam Phillips

I mean, that's a larger question that I don't know if I'm fully able to answer at the moment.

Harvey D. Epstein

Another roundtable conversation.

Harvey D. Epstein

I love this.

Harvey D. Epstein

Roundtable, too.

Harvey D. Epstein

More opportunities.

Harvey D. Epstein

I'd love to see the city give more money to help Mitchell Llamas.

Harvey D. Epstein

We know they need the money.

Harvey D. Epstein

We want to help them as much as possible.

Harvey D. Epstein

I'm just a little concerned that we're not using all the tools in our tool belt.

Harvey D. Epstein

Did you say you're going to help advocate next year to reduce the shelter rent tax to zero?

Harvey D. Epstein

I didn't know if you sent that response.

Adam Phillips

I don't think I said that.

Harvey D. Epstein

Okay.

Harvey D. Epstein

Can you say that?

Adam Phillips

I don't think I said that.

Harvey D. Epstein

Will you say that?

Adam Phillips

J51 is a...

Adam Phillips

A really, really good tool to pair with capital improvements.

Harvey D. Epstein

It sounds like another conversation to have.