LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Vicki Been upon the occasion of her
designation for special recognition by Housing and Family Services of
Greater New York, Inc. on June 16, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those individ-
uals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the community and its
citizenry; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Vicki Been upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition
by Housing and Family Services of Greater New York, Inc. to be cele-
brated at its 26th Annual Awards Dinner on Thursday, June 16, 2016, at
Rex Manor, Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, For more than four decades, Housing and Family Services of
Greater New York, Inc., formerly known as Brooklyn Housing & Family
Services, has been assisting and educating tenants, building owners, and
community leaders; through its Tenant Committees, the organization has
successfully initiated building improvements and combated the deteri-
oration of housing stock in its Borough; and
WHEREAS, Since 1971, Housing and Family Services of Greater New York,
Inc. has strived to stabilize neighborhoods and preserve the quality of
housing in its community; during the last few years, it has expanded the
scope of its program dramatically, attempting to bond a newer, stronger
cooperation between tenants and building owners; and
WHEREAS, A graduate of New York University School of Law, Vicki Been
served as a Clerk for Judge Edward Weinfeld of the Southern District of
New York and Justice Harry Blackmun of the Supreme Court of the United
States; and
WHEREAS, Vicki Been then held the title of Director of New York
University's (NYU) Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy, a
nationally renowned academic research center devoted to the public poli-
cy aspects of land use, real estate, and housing development; and
WHEREAS, Currently, Vicki Been holds the esteemed position of Commis-
sioner of the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and
Development, the nation's largest municipal housing agency; in this
capacity, she is responsible for implementing the New York City Housing
Plan to create or preserve 200,000 affordable homes over a 10-year peri-
od; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Vicki Been is a tenured member of the faculty at
NYU School of Law and an affiliated professor at the NYU Wagner School
of Public Service; and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Vicki Been has served on several Boards of
Directors including the Center for New York City Neighborhoods, the
Municipal Art Society, the Pratt Center for Community Economic Develop-
ment, and the Next American City; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Vicki Been has displayed throughout
her life; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all
the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Vicki Been upon the occasion of her designation for special

recognition by Housing and Family Services of Greater New York, Inc.;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Vicki Been.