San Franciscan Roselyn “Cissie” Swig has been chosen to serve in a new cooperative effort between Israel and the United States to improve public housing.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo tapped 20 American Jews for the newly formed U.S.-Binational Commission on Housing and Community Development.
Those who were chosen have expertise in the areas of building construction, housing finance, real estate, economic development, banking, academia, labor relations, non-governmental organizational development, land use and urban planning and private-public sector cooperation.
Members of this commission will aim to improve affordable housing in both countries, help increase home ownership, create jobs and help businesses to expand as part of an effort to revitalize communities. In addition, they will work to improve construction technology and architecture to allow housing to be built at a higher quality and a lower cost.
Swig, who comes from the San Francisco real estate and hotel family, is a former president of the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation. She said that while she has no expertise in housing and development, she does have “an overview as an interested person with strong relationships in Israel,” as well as a good understanding of the country and what its housing
needs are.
Because of the massive influx of immigrants from throughout the world in a relatively short period, Swig said, “in many cases, Israel didn’t have the opportunity to do a lot of strategic planning and development.”
“I think they are doing a better job of that now, and are looking forward to getting the input and advice from experts in the field that could help them for the future,” she added.
In June 2000, President Bill Clinton directed Cuomo to visit Israel and work to create the commission. During that visit, Cuomo signed an agreement to create it with then-Israeli Construction and Housing Minister Yitzhak Levy.
“These new commission members represent some of the best thinking on housing and economic development in America,” Cuomo said in a statement. “With this kind of talent, we have a tremendous opportunity to advance U.S.-Israeli cooperation in areas of deep concern to both our countries. The challenges of housing and community development are great — and there is much we can learn from each other.”
Swig said she was unsure of the required time commitment, but added, “I’m very happy to have been invited to serve.
“It’s one more opportunity to help with Israel’s future,” she continued. “The sharing that goes on between experts in any field is reflective of the friendship and relationship that the U.S. has with Israel, and just one more strengthening of the bond.”