NY Comptroller Candidate Touts Affordable Housing Record Despite Ties to Accused Slumlord

Drew Warshaw, running to unseat longtime incumbent Tom DiNapoli, faces scrutiny over his time as COO at a non-profit housing developer with legal troubles.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Drew Warshaw, a Democratic candidate for New York state comptroller, is touting his affordable housing experience from his time as COO of Enterprise Community Partners, a non-profit housing developer. However, Enterprise has faced legal action for allegedly operating dilapidated buildings and funding subsidiaries accused of predatory lending practices. Warshaw is proposing a $10 billion affordable housing fund from the state pension if elected, which could directly benefit his former employer and campaign backers.

Why it matters

This story highlights the complex dynamics between political candidates, their past employment, and potential conflicts of interest when it comes to managing public funds and investments. Warshaw's affordable housing platform could be viewed as self-serving given his ties to Enterprise, raising questions about transparency and accountability in the comptroller's office.

The details

Warshaw was making around $800,000 as COO of Enterprise Community Partners, a non-profit housing developer and financier, until he quit last year. Enterprise has faced legal action for allegedly operating dilapidated buildings and funding subsidiaries that have been accused of predatory lending practices, such as Bellwether Enterprise which provides loans to mobile home park owners like Havenpark Communities. Warshaw is now running for state comptroller on a platform of investing $10 billion from the state pension fund into affordable housing, a proposal that could directly benefit his former employer.

  • Warshaw was COO of Enterprise Community Partners from 2020 to 2025.
  • Enterprise agreed to a $1 million settlement with the Office of the Attorney General for DC after reports uncovered deplorable conditions at a Mayfair Manor property in 2025.
  • Warshaw quit his job at Enterprise in 2025.

The players

Drew Warshaw

A Democratic candidate for New York state comptroller who previously served as COO of Enterprise Community Partners, a non-profit housing developer and financier.

Tom DiNapoli

The longtime Democratic incumbent for New York state comptroller, who is seeking re-election.

Enterprise Community Partners

A non-profit housing developer and financier that has faced legal action for allegedly operating dilapidated buildings and funding subsidiaries accused of predatory lending practices.

Bellwether Enterprise

A subsidiary of Enterprise Community Partners that distributes loans to mobile home park owners such as Havenpark Communities, a company that's been accused of hiking costs on tenants and evicting owners for falling behind on payments.

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What they’re saying

“I could not be more proud to have led a nonprofit organization that provides affordable homes to 23,000 people who could not otherwise afford one, and invests $2 billion in affordable homes every year.”

— Drew Warshaw (The Post)

“Sadly, that is more money from one nonprofit than Tom DiNapoli has invested from New York's entire $300 billion public pension fund. That is the opposite of the leadership and urgency we need right now.”

— Drew Warshaw (The Post)

“These homes in Ward 7 that Enterprise inherited were long neglected and Enterprise worked tirelessly to rehabilitate them.”

— Drew Warshaw (The Post)

What’s next

Warshaw's $10 billion affordable housing fund proposal, if he's elected comptroller, could face additional scrutiny and debate over potential conflicts of interest given his past ties to Enterprise Community Partners.

The takeaway

This race for New York state comptroller highlights the need for transparency and accountability when it comes to political candidates' past employment and potential conflicts of interest, especially when it comes to managing public funds and investments.