Dear John,

  • Wishing all our Jewish neighbors in the district celebrating Sukkot this week, Chag Sameach!

  • If you missed our Participatory Budgeting Open House yesterday, don’t worry! You can still submit your project ideas on the online ideas map now until Friday, 11/15.  

  • Applications for my office’s Youth Leadership Council are open through Thursday, 10/30! This 8-month program offers youth ages 14-18 who live in or attend school in District 39 an insider’s look at local government. This year, we’re partnering with NYC Service to connect participants with Youth Leadership Councils (YLCs) across various government agencies. To learn more about the network, click here. To apply, youth must first register as volunteers on the NYC Service Website, log in, and then use this link to apply.

  • Have questions about Local Law 97? Join our virtual information session on Thursday, 10/26, at 6 PM to learn about the NYC Accelerator program, its benefits, and how Local Law 97 affects you. Register here for webinar details. For additional questions, contact [email protected].

  • Whether you're a seasoned runner or just out for a leisurely stroll, build your team for the 16th Annual Fun Run on Saturday, 10/28. Register today to support our Brooklyn school communities. If you or someone you know faces financial barriers to participation or has questions about the race, please contact Mia Perez, Education Director, [email protected].

City of Yes for Housing Opportunity

This week, the City Council will hold a two-day public hearing on Mayor Adams’ City of Yes for Housing Opportunity Citywide Text Amendment (COYHO) proposal. This important proposal aims to reform the City's zoning regulations—the “rulebook” for where and how housing can be built. Its goal is to update and reduce the restrictive barriers to housing development that have hindered production in our city.


We are facing a severe housing crisis that is making NYC increasingly unaffordable for working and middle-class families. With a citywide vacancy rate of just 1.4%, the lowest since 1968, we are particularly short on affordable units. It’s clear that decisive action is needed to tackle the affordable housing crisis, and COYHO represents a bold step in that direction.


The City Planning Commission (CPC) approved the proposal on Wednesday, September 25th, and the City Council is now reviewing it. On Monday, October 21st, at 10:30 AM, the Department of City Planning (DCP) will present the proposal to the Council and the public. On Tuesday, October 22nd, starting at 9:30 AM, members of the public will have the opportunity to testify on the proposal.


Both meetings will be held in the Council Chambers in City Hall, New York, NY 10007 and will also be live-streamed on the Council website. You can register to testify at Tuesday’s hearing or submit written testimony up to 72 hours after the hearing adjourns using this link or by clicking the photo below.

The text amendment is extensive and includes several encouraging policies aimed at expanding our City’s housing supply. However, there are also opportunities to better prioritize deeply and permanently affordable housing that addresses the needs of New Yorkers most affected by the shrinking and aging affordable housing and public housing stock.


We can advocate for additional investments in preserving and producing affordable housing, particularly on our NYCHA campuses, enhancing tenant protections, and expanding neighborhood infrastructure to support increased development, among other priorities. I will be attending this week’s hearings to question the administration on these areas and more. I look forward to discussing how we can strengthen the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity proposal to better serve our neighborhoods.


I encourage folks to submit their feedback to ensure that community voices are included in the Council’s review. Ultimately, the City Council has the authority to approve, modify, or reject the proposal.


Overall, the proposal includes proven strategies to help lower housing costs and create conditions for housing development that move our city toward housing all New Yorkers rather than forcing people to leave the city. Many of these strategies have been successfully implemented across the country. I welcome any opportunity to alleviate restrictive zoning and provide New Yorkers with more housing options. Stay tuned for more details on the additional investments I’ll be advocating for as part of this proposal. Here’s a rundown of some key takeaways from the proposed changes:

  • Universal Affordability Preference: Buildings could add at least 20% more housing if the additional units are designated as affordable. Importantly, these units would be permanently affordable, helping to address the shortage in high-cost neighborhoods.

  • Office-to-Residential Conversions: Vacant office spaces and non-residential buildings could be more easily converted into homes, transforming underutilized spaces into much-needed housing.

  • Town Center Zoning: Housing above businesses in low-density areas would be legalized, creating mixed-use corridors that enhance community vibrancy.

  • Removing Costly Parking Mandates: Off-street parking would no longer be mandatory for new buildings, reducing development costs. While the option to add parking would remain, developers would not be required to build unnecessary spaces.

  • Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): Homeowners would be allowed to create backyard cottages, garage conversions, and basement apartments, increasing housing options.

  • Transit-Oriented Development: Buildings of 3-5 stories would be permitted near public transit in low-density areas, improving access to housing in convenient locations.

  • Campus Development: Campuses or large sites with existing buildings could add new buildings, generating funds for repairs, new facilities, and housing.

  • Small and Shared Housing/Single-Room Occupancy (SRO): Restrictions on homes with shared kitchens or facilities would be lifted, making shared housing more viable.


To learn more about the proposal, visit the DCP’s website, which offers several guides, FAQs, and annotated zoning text.

Constituent Services Corner

A constituent on Berkeley Place reached out to my office after their building had been without hot water for several days. Despite multiple attempts to contact the landlord, the issue remained unresolved, leaving them in a challenging situation.


My office immediately took action by contacting the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). HPD responded quickly and conducted a site visit to assess the situation. After confirming that the building was indeed without hot water and that the landlord had not taken the necessary steps to address the problem, HPD initiated emergency repairs to restore hot water.


Thanks to swift coordination between our office and HPD, hot water has now been restored. My office will continue to monitor the situation to ensure the landlord remains compliant with housing standards.

Community Bulletin

  • Caring for someone with dementia can be challenging. Join Heights and Hills on Tuesday, 10/22 at 12:30 PM via Zoom for “Dementia Care at Home with Engaging Activities,” a free workshop designed to help caregivers and families develop practical strategies to enhance the quality of life for loved ones living with dementia.

  • The third annual City of Forest Day is on Saturday, 10/26. This event focuses on raising awareness about the importance of NYC’s urban forest and the essential role New Yorkers play in caring for it. Here are some in-district events you can participate in:

  • 92NY's Women in Power 2025 Fellowship applications are due on Wednesday, 10/23, at 9 AM. This fellowship is for women-identifying leaders across all sectors in our city, offering executive mentorship, educational training, and workshops. Spread the word to any woman leader you know who would be a great fit!

  • Attend a free Rat Academy training to learn more about rat mitigation and prevention methods. The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene offers this training for community members, supers, building managers, and pest control professionals.

  • It’s Heat Season! From now until May 31, NYC building owners are legally required to maintain sufficient heat in their homes. When the outdoor temperature is 55° or lower, indoor temperatures must be at least 68° between 6 AM and 10 PM and at least 62° from 10 PM to 6 AM, regardless of outdoor temperature. If you experience any issues with heat or hot water, you can report them online or by calling 311.


In Solidarity,

Council Member Shahana