Council Passes Bill to Provide New Yorkers in Temporary Shelters Access to Housing Specialists

On March 16, 2023, Introduction 124-A (2022) which was originally proposed by Council Member Rafael Salamanca Jr.  was officially passed by the NYC Council. On April 16, 2023, it was officially enacted as Local Law 45. The new law requires the Human Resources Administration to designate housing specialists within all temporary shelters and to submit an annual report on housing specialists, ensuring that New Yorkers residing in shelters have access to housing specialists.


Mayor’s Office Announces Conversion of Temporary Homeless Shelters into Permanent Affordable Housing

The conversion is another step in the City’s plan to address the homelessness crisis. On November 19, 2019, the Mayor’s Office announced its transition into the second phase of a plan to convert temporary homeless shelters into permanently affordable housing units. According to the Mayor’s Office, this plan will help not-for-profit housing developers acquire and rehabilitate an additional 14 residential “cluster site” buildings, currently being used to house homeless families, and convert them into over … <Read More>


Governor Celebrates Opening of 96-Unit All-Electric Affordable Housing Development in Fordham Heights

On November 3, 2023, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the completion of a new all-electric affordable and supportive housing development in the Fordham Heights neighborhood of the Bronx. The housing development, named the 2050 Grand Concourse, was awarded funding from the State’s Buildings of Excellence Competition. The aim of the Competition was to advance zero-carbon multifamily buildings in the State.


City Releases Details for “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity” Zoning Text Amendment

On September 21, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams released the details for his “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity” proposal. The proposal aims to increase the development of and access to affordable housing throughout New York City through changes to the City’s zoning code. The Mayor’s Office touts that the initiative could add 10,000 homes to expected housing production over the next 15 years, create 260,000 temporary and 6,300 permanent jobs, and provide $58.2 billion in … <Read More>


Comptroller Proposes City Establish Housing First Program in Response to Audit of Failed Outcomes of Encampment Sweeps

A new audit by NYC Comptroller Brad Lander found that the Adams Administration’s homeless sweeps failed to meet their goals and proposes that NYC establish a large-scale “Housing First” program instead. On June 28, 2023, City Comptroller Brad Lander released an audit of NYC Department of Homeless Services (DHS)’s role in the Adams Administration’s sweeps of homeless encampment sites between March and November 2022. The audit found that the sweeps failed to meet their primary … <Read More>


Governor Announces Over $390 Million for Ten Affordable and Supportive Housing Projects Across the State, Four in NYC

On January 19, 2023, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that over $390 million was awarded through bonds and subsidies for affordable and supportive housing statewide. With additional private funding, over $600 million is expected to be invested to preserve over 1,600 units in ten projects across the state, including four projects within New York City. The four New York City projects are Bedford Green House Phase II in Fordham Heights in the Bronx; Shepherd Glenmore in <Read More>