The revised Section 421-a offers new opportunities for affordable housing. The 421-a property tax exemption began in 1971 as an incentive for developers to develop badly needed housing in New York City. When the real estate market rebounded in the 80s, the program was amended to condition tax abatements on the construction of affordable housing units. The program expired in June 2016. In its place, the State Legislature passed the “Affordable New York” program in … <Read More>
Search Results for: Affordable Housing
Andrew Scherer on Keeping New Yorkers in their Homes
On August 11, 2017, Mayor Bill de Blasio signed a local law that guaranteed legal representation for low-income tenants facing eviction in New York City’s Housing Court. One of the bill’s major champions was Andrew Scherer, Policy Director of the Impact Center for Public Interest Law at New York Law School, who began fighting for housing justice decades earlier.
CityLaw Breakfasts Kick Off the New Academic Year
To a packed house on Friday, August 28, 2015, at 8:30 a.m., Dean Anthony Crowell called to order the 127th CityLaw Breakfast. The morning’s speaker was Carl Weisbrod, Chairman of the City Planning Commission, and the topic was affordable housing. Friday mornings in late August are not ideal for a business breakfast. Nevertheless, more than 200 people attended. They enjoyed the coffee, fruit and muffins, but they came because CityLaw Breakfasts play … <Read More>
The Right To Counsel For Tenants Who Face Eviction
On August 11, 2017, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signed legislation, the first of its kind in the nation, which guarantees legal representation for low-income tenants who face eviction. The new law has two major innovations with respect to eviction petitions brought in Housing Court.
CityLaw: Three Policy Questions for Nonprofit Property Tax Exemptions
A long-standing feature of American tax policy is the exemption granted to nonprofit organizations, the largest of which is the exemption from local property taxes. The exemption, with origins back to the 18th century, is widespread. Among the 50 states, 17 state constitutions mandate property tax exemptions for charitable organizations, 25 authorize the legislature to give exemptions, and eight do not address the issue. New York State establishes two classes of exemptions for nonprofits: … <Read More>