Dear John,
Historic Housing Investments for a Stronger Future
Every day, I hear from constituents about the growing unaffordability of our City. Over 50% of New Yorkers are rent-burdened, living in constant fear of rent hikes or losing their lease. Our shrinking affordable housing stock has led to skyrocketing prices, record-low vacancy rates, and an ongoing threat of displacement for renters.
This week, the City Council took bold action to address this crisis by passing the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, which includes a historic $5 billion commitment to affordable housing through Speaker Adams’ City For All Housing Plan. With an estimated 80,000 new homes, this plan will generate more housing than New York City has seen in the last 20 years. It is a significant step in meeting the urgent need for housing affordability and stability.
In October, the City Council began reviewing the zoning text amendment proposed by Mayor Adams and the Department of City Planning (DCP). After a two-day hearing of the proposal and nearly 15 hours of public testimony, it was clear that while the zoning changes were necessary to remove barriers to housing development, we needed a more comprehensive approach. That’s why I supported Speaker Adams’ City For All housing proposal. Along with my colleagues, I fought to secure $5 billion in investments to address the immediate needs of homeowners, renters, and those experiencing homelessness.
District 39 has been a leader in addressing the City’s housing challenges, ranking in the top ten for affordable housing production last year. Building on lessons from the Gowanus Rezoning, the Speaker’s City For All housing plan ensured targeted investments in deep affordability and neighborhood infrastructure— ranging from sewer and street upgrades to flood mitigation and the creation of new open spaces. These critical investments will be expanded citywide to support equitable development and provide a foundation for sustainable and resilient growth across the City.
I’m also proud to highlight two key provisions I championed during the Council’s review. First, we secured a 20% requirement for income-restricted units at or below 40% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for large projects of 10,000 square feet and more. This ensures that deeply affordable housing is prioritized for those who need it most. Additionally, I advocated for support for homeowners adding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) to their properties. The City For All plan includes a 10-year property tax exemption of up to $200,000 on the increased market value of homes with newly added ADUs, providing up to $400 million in property tax relief over the next decade. We also secured funding for a central ADU resource hub and expanded agency support from the Department of Buildings (DOB) and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) to assist homeowners looking to build.
Another exciting initiative included in the Council’s City For All Plan is the neighborhood planning study of the Coney Island Avenue corridor in our district, which has the power to transform the area. This transit-rich area has been hindered by restrictive zoning, contributing to rising housing costs and displacement pressures. In the last decade, fewer than 600 new units have been added, and more than half of residents are rent-burdened. Through the City for All plan, we secured funding for neighborhood planning studies in this corridor, which will help unlock the potential for thousands of new housing units, including much-needed affordable housing and infrastructure investments. I look forward to working with DCP as they advance their study of this area.
While we’ve made significant progress in addressing the housing crisis, our work is far from done. I remain committed to championing bold investments in housing that ensure every New Yorker has access to a safe, affordable, and dignified place to call home.
