"'Now that there is a huge need to rebuild tens of thousands of homes in the city, the use of the city's pension funds as capital to accelerate these projects is going to be vitally necessary, and it can be done in a way that we gain a good return for our pensioners and taxpayers,' [said John Liu, New York City comptroller].... Aside from providing mortgage financing, Mr. Liu said the retirement systems may own buildings as real estate investments. The pension funds may also finance restoration of infrastructure and city properties damaged by the storm[.]"  MORE >>