City Council Holds Oversight Hearing on Mayor’s Affordable Housing Plan

HPD, City Planning, NYCHA among those who answered questions on the results and direction of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan.  On November 17, 2014, the City Council Committee on Housing and Buildings, joined by the Committee on Land Use and Committee on Community Development, held an oversight hearing on Housing New York, Mayor Bill de Blasio’s affordable housing plan. The Council heard testimony over the course of seven hours from Housing Preservation and Development … <Read More>


Tenant Rights Coalition and Elected Officials Rally for Stronger Rent Laws to Protect Affordable Housing

City Council Speaker calls on Albany for direct City control of rent regulations from Albany. On November 18, 2014, the Alliance for Tenant Power held a rally on the steps of City Hall to urge Albany lawmakers to strengthen the New York State rent laws when they expire in June 2015. The Alliance was joined by over 20 State and local officials.


New Affordable Housing for Artists Open for Application

Former public school has been transformed into affordable housing complex for artists. Artspace P.S. 109 is a 90-unit affordable housing complex that formerly served as an underutilized school building located in 215 East 99th Street in East Harlem, Manhattan. P.S 109 is an 1898 Gothic Revival-style structure that is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.


One Year Under Mandatory Rules Produces 4,700 Affordable Units

Mayor and City Council celebrate progress in production of affordable housing units since the passage of mandatory affordable rules one year ago. March 22, 2017, marked the one year anniversary of the Mandatory Inclusionary Housing program. The program, which requires developers to include permanently affordable housing whenever a special permit or a rezoning significantly increases the underlying potential residential floor area, has received both praise and chastisement from advocates and Council Members.


Full Council Passes Mandatory Inclusionary Housing and Zoning for Quality and Affordability Proposals by an Overwhelmingly Majority Vote

Despite disruption from Council public gallery, the modified plans were adopted without suspense.  On March 22, 2016, the City Council voted to approve Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Mandatory Inclusionary Housing and Zoning for Quality and Affordability proposals at its stated meeting. The full vote follows extensive modifications by the Council to the original plan. The approved text amendments are significantly different from the earlier versions voted on by the Community Board and City Planning. For … <Read More>


Council Approves Harlem African Burial Ground

The Harlem African Burial Ground, affordable housing, and commercial space will replace the 126th Street Bus Depot. On September 27, 2017, City Council approved the 126th Street Bus Depot redevelopment by a vote of 42-0. The land use application, by NYC Economic Development Corporation, includes a zoning map amendment, zoning text amendment, city map change, and future disposition of city-owned property. This action will facilitate the development of affordable housing, commercial space, and the Harlem <Read More>