The Solution to New York City's Housing Crisis

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David Schwartz has built over 80 deals and is just getting started. With over 100,000 New Yorkers living in homeless shelters, he believes we can't keep doing the same things and expecting different outcomes. 

In this episode of Broker Brunch, Brian Whelan sits down with David Schwartz, Co-Founder of Slate Property Group, to discuss how his team is tackling New York's housing crisis through hotel conversions, nonprofit partnerships, and creative development strategies. 

David explains how converting hotels into housing saves roughly 25% on cost and 50% on time, why partnering with nonprofits like Riseboro ensures affordability in the long run, and how Slate is building on city land in Inwood and securing free land through air rights in Williamsburg for 100% low-income housing. 

Connect with us on LinkedIn:

Brian Whelan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-whelan-43155850/

Mitchel Flaherty: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchel-flaherty-7b4b1064/

David Schwartz's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-schwartz-19a7161/

(00:00) Intro
(02:29) How Hotel Conversions Work 
(06:48) Partnering With Nonprofits 
(13:00) Building on City Land in Inwood 
(24:04) Affordable Housing in Good Neighborhoods 
(28:29) Slate's Lending Business: Scale 
(39:27) What the Best Brokers Do Differently 
(43:23) Metropolitan Park and Steve Cohen 
(52:09) Advice for Brokers in 2026