Image Credit: Office of the Mayor

Mayor Adams Addresses the Issue of Affordable Housing and Works Towards Building More Affordable Housing. On June 14, 2022, Mayor Eric Adams released Housing Our Neighbors: A Blueprint for Housing and Homelessness, his administration’s plan to address New York City’s affordable housing crisis. The Blueprint discusses making the City a welcoming and homely place where people can stay and grow together as a family by creating housing that is available and affordable for people from all walks of life. The Blueprint speaks to five key housing pillars: (1) Transforming the New York City Housing Authority; (2) Addressing the Homelessness and Housing Instability; (3) Creating and Preserving Affordable Housing; (4) Improving the Health and Safety of New Yorkers; and (5) Reducing the Administrative Burden. (more…)

50 Penn is a new 100 percent affordable development in Cypress Hills, Brooklyn. Image Credit: HPD.

The mixed-use, nine-story “50 Penn” building in Brooklyn will provide both housing and additional supports. On June 9, 2022, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), the NYC Housing Development Corporation (HDC), developer PennRose, and the Riseboro Community Partnership celebrated the grand opening of the “50 Penn” housing development in Cypress Hills, Brooklyn. The 218-unit building addresses key priorities in the East New York Neighborhood Plan, such as affordable housing and access to fresh food. While the building was financed through HPD and HDC, Pennrose was the project’s lead developer and RiseBoro will provide on-site property management. (more…)

The Zoning for Housing Opportunity text amendment may enable the creation of smaller units like the one above to provide more options for housing. Image Credit: Mayor’s Office

Still in its early stages, Mayor Adams’ proposed zoning text amendment aims to increase affordable housing in the city. On June 1, 2022, Mayor Adams announced his “City of Yes” plan consisting of three citywide zoning text amendments. One of these initiatives, “Zoning for Housing Opportunity,” addresses the city’s housing shortage. Although the text amendment has not yet been drafted, Mayor Adams listed four key housing proposals in his announcement. (more…)

Governor Kathy Hochul signs the Hotel Conversion bill into law. Image Credit: (Darren McGee- Office of Governor Kathy Hochul)

The new legislation allows hotels to house residents on a more permanent basis, specifically addressing the lack of available housing in New York City. On June 7, 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law New York State Senate Bill S4937C. This affordable housing law allows hotels that are already authorized as Class B hotels to rent rooms for permanent residence purposes. State Senator Brian Kavanagh and Assemblymember Steven Cymbrowitz sponsored this bill. (more…)

Rendering for 4519 White Plains Road. Image Credit: Office of Governor Kathy Hochul.

The new building will be across the street from another affordable housing development recently approved by the City Planning Commission. On May 25, 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the beginning of construction for a new affordable and supportive housing development in the Wakefield section of the Bronx. The Plains will be located at 4519 White Plains Road between East 239th and East 240th Street. The development team consists of the Doe Fund and Robert Sanborn Development. (more…)