December conference to honor men in housing.

The New York Housing Conference, together with the National Housing Conference, announced that they will hold the organizations' 32nd Annual Awards Luncheon, this year honoring Women in Housing Development, on December 12 at the Hilton New York.

The housing organizations will recognize the achievements of women who are industry leaders in both the non-profit and privately financed sectors. All of the honorees are individuals highly respected by and work closely with New York City's housing developers, builders, owners, managers and lending institutions. They serve the entire housing market spectrum, from low-, moderate and middle--income New Yorkers to the city's most affluent.

The recipients of this year's Awards include: Rosanne Haggerty, president of Common Ground Community HFDC, Inc.; Sydelle M. Knepper, president and CEO of SKA Marin; Carol Lamberg, executive director of the Settlement Housing Fund, Inc.; Ronay Menschel, chairman of the board of trustees of Phipps Houses; Joanne M. Minieri, executive vice president and COO of Forest City Ratner Companies; Denise Notice-Scott, managing director of Local Initiatives Support Corporation New York; and Amy Rose, executive vice president of Rose Associates, Inc.

Judith Calogero, Commissioner of the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal, will receive the NYHC/ NHC Public Service Award at the luncheon.

Keynote speaker for this year's event will be congresswoman Nydia M. Velazquez. Representing parts of Brooklyn and lower Manhattan, Velazquez is the ranking Democratic member of the House Small Business Committee. She also serves on the Housing and Community Opportunity subcommittee and has been very actively involved in supporting affordable housing programs. She is co-sponsor with senator Hillary Clinton of the employer-assisted housing bill.

Honorary chairs of the luncheon committee for the event are Katherine G. Farley, of Tishman Speyer Properties; Veronica W. Hackett, of The Clarett Group; Diana Taylor, of the New York State Department of Banking; Marilyn Jordan Taylor, of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, LLP; Alair A. Townsend, of Crain "s New York Business; and Deborah C. Wright, of Carver Federal Savings Bank.

According to Clara Fox, NYHC co-chair, "Women's leadership in developing both affordable housing and market-rate housing has improved the quality of life for all New Yorkers for decades and their accomplishments deserve special recognition. They have shared, faced and conquered immense obstacles to development regardless of the market they serve and our city has gained much from their vision and tenacity."

Luncheon chair Robert O. Lehrman, of Resheff, Inc., a New York City-based builder, said, "Our NYHC Awards luncheon has grown to be the largest event and key platform for the housing development cause. The luncheon provides essential support for NYHC and NHC's housing policies and programs in New York, Albany and Washington. These programs are vital to develop and maintain affordable housing for all New Yorkers, including public sector employees, working families and a skilled young workforce so essential to the city's economic growth, stability and diversity."

The luncheon will begin with a reception at 11:30 a.m. For registration and additional information, please visit www.nhc.org/index/eventsawards-luncheon or contact Thea Beckering at 202-466-2121, ext. 221.