Jenny Wu has dedicated her career to affordable housing, leading the development of 1,300 affordable and mixed-income units, with another 1,800 units in predevelopment at the Jonathan Rose Cos. in New York City.
She has been with the firm, a national developer and owner of affordable and mixed-income properties, since 2012 and was recently promoted to managing director of the development group, the latest step in her trajectory at the company.
“I believe in our mission. It’s changing the landscape of opportunity,” Wu says. “For us, it’s not just about creating housing. It’s making sure that residents have access to good schools, affordable transit options, and health care; and that their homes are green, energy efficient, and resilient. We’re also providing programs and supportive services for those who need them. Our goal is for our residents to become empowered partners in their communities, and to improve their economic and social outcomes. It’s the whole package.”
Wu has been involved in a number of the firm’s pivotal developments, including NC Five, a 133-unit mixed-income development, which leveraged a federal Choice Neighborhoods Implementation grant to transform and redevelop severely distressed outdated public housing in Philadelphia. Another is Sendero Verde, a 709-unit mixed-income development in East Harlem, which is anticipated to become the country’s largest multifamily project to meet passive house energy-efficiency standards. The development, which is being built in partnership with L+M Development Partners and Acacia Network, will have a variety of community-serving spaces and be home to a new charter school. The 361-unit first phase recently opened, with the 348-unit second phase following in about two years.
At Jonathan Rose Cos., she was also essential in organizing the development group’s eight-member deal team, which includes junior and senior development professionals located in five states, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The mother of three children, Wu is a registered architect in the state of New York and a LEED-accredited professional; she also serves on the board of Women in Housing and Finance and the policy committee of the New York State Association for Affordable Housing.
