A sample of the displacement index map depicting the risks of displacement across various neighborhoods in the Bronx. Image Credit: DCP.

The tool aims to aid discussions and policymaking for creating affordable housing and preventing displacement. On February 22, 2022, the Department of City Planning (DCP) and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development announced the beginning of public engagement work for a new interactive tool, the Equitable Development Data Tool. The tool will allow users to examine housing, demographics, public health and other data, and compare that data across neighborhoods and racial and ethnic groups to assist with fairer city planning. 

The tool is being developed with the Racial Impact Study Coalition. Interactive mockups of the tool, and further details about the tool are available here. Early prototypes and mockups were released last month. The public is also encouraged to leave feedback on the Displacement Risk Index map, a component of the tool which shows how demographics, market pressures and other issues contribute to displacement and how those risks vary across neighborhoods. The tool is officially expected to launch on April 1, 2022. 

A series of remote meetings will be held in the first week of March to provide more information and gather input. The dates are as follows:

• Tuesday, March 1st at 9:00 AM (Sign up here)
• Thursday, March 3rd at 6:00 PM (Sign up here)
• Saturday, March 5th at 10:00 AM (Sign up here) 

A remote public hearing will be held on March 10th, with details to be posted on NYC Engage.

Department of City Planning Director Dan Garodnick stated, “Our goal here is to develop strategies that allow us to deliver more housing and jobs while also protecting ourselves and our neighbors from displacement. We want your input to make sure this still-in-development digital data tool can help us build a more equitable future.”

HPD Commissioner Adolfo Carrión Jr. stated, “Making sure that equity is central to the conversation about the future of our city is a key objective of Where We Live NYC, our plan to advance housing strategies that combat persistent disparities. Every New Yorker deserves a safe, affordable home, and our responsibility is to ensure no one faces discriminatory barriers to finding and keeping that home. The Equitable Development Data Tool is one of several tools that will allow us to build a fairer city for all New Yorkers.”

By: Veronica Rose (Veronica is the CityLaw fellow and a New York Law School graduate, Class of 2018.)