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>


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 Reveals Task Force Recommendations to Convert Underused Office Space to Housing

On January 9, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams announced a set of recommendations from the Office Adaptive Reuse Task Force for changes to state laws and city zoning requirements to make it easier for the conversion of underused office space to housing. The COVID-19 pandemic transformed how many companies operate, transitioning to work-from-home or hybrid structures that require less office space, while the city experiences an ongoing affordable housing crisis.


HPD Announces Selection of Plan and Partners for New Affordable Housing Development in Bed-Stuy

On January 12, 2023, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development announced the selection of a plan and partners for the creation of a new affordable housing development for seniors and low-income families in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. The development, “The Steps at Saratoga,” will also be the first New York City development to build a community-owned local network plant to provide more affordable internet access to local residents and businesses.The team selected includes RiseBoro, IMPACCT Brooklyn <Read More>