Late-Session Bill Would Add More NYC Neighborhoods to Basement Legalization Plan
Although the recently passed state budget included a new basement legalization pilot, less than a quarter of the city’s community districts were selected to participate—but a last-minute bill could extend the program to additional neighborhoods prone to flooding.
Experts estimate that there are tens of thousands of basement or cellar units across the five boroughs, many occupied illegally, leaving tenants—often immigrant and low-income New Yorkers who can’t afford other options—with fewer protections and at particular risk for safety issues.
“If it were up to me, all of New York City would be included,” said State Sen. Julia Salazar, who co-sponsored a a bill last month to expand the pilot.
