Build on Public Housing’s Open Spaces, N.Y.C. Council Speaker Says (Published 2023) (2024)

New York|Build on Public Housing’s Open Spaces, N.Y.C. Council Speaker Says

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/08/nyregion/affordable-housing-nycha.html

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The City Council speaker wants to address the affordable housing shortage by building new homes on NYCHA property.

Build on Public Housing’s Open Spaces, N.Y.C. Council Speaker Says (Published 2023) (1)

Even as New York’s public housing deteriorates, many developments are like oases in the city — large properties with rare amounts of open space, sculpted decades ago as a departure from crowded tenements and slums.

Now, amid a funding crisis in public housing, one local official is reviving an idea to turn that land — which can include gardens, playgrounds and parking lots — into a development opportunity. In her State of the City address on Wednesday, Adrienne Adams, the speaker of the City Council, proposed building new apartment buildings on these open spaces, that will combine both public and private dwellings.

The plan would create needed housing for the city and provide upgraded options for New York City Housing Authority residents in the new buildings, Ms. Adams said in an interview on Tuesday.

“The climate is right for conversations like this,” Ms. Adams said. “Affordable housing is at the top of our list everywhere — state, city, federal — it’s at the top of everybody's list.”

She added, “It’s an innovative way of thinking, it’s an innovative way of building.”

But the plan faces many hurdles, and many of its details have yet to be finalized.

It would likely require the federal government to reverse years of declining investment in the traditional public housing program, which seems unlikely given Republican skepticism of such programs. Millions of dollars of city and state subsidies could also be necessary, especially if officials want a good portion of the new homes to be affordable to lower-income people.

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Build on Public Housing’s Open Spaces, N.Y.C. Council Speaker Says (Published 2023) (2024)

FAQs

Is there enough housing in NYC? ›

The portion of rentals that were vacant and available dropped to a startling 1.4 percent in 2023, according to city data released on Thursday. It was the lowest vacancy rate since 1968 and shows just how drastically home construction lags behind the demand from people who want to live in the city.

What is yes in God's backyard NYC? ›

“The groundbreaking 'Yes in God's Backyard' plan taps into one of the most dynamic and compassionate cross-sections of New York City: our faith community. Whether mosque or church or synagogue or temple or gurdwara, our houses of worship have always opened their doors to everyone in need.

When was NYC public housing built? ›

The majority of NYCHA developments were built between 1945 and 1965. Unlike most cities, New York depended heavily on city and state funds to build its housing after the Federal Housing Act of 1937 expired and a new bill wasn't agreed upon until the Federal Housing Act of 1949, rather than just the federal government.

What does Nycha stand for? ›

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), the largest public housing authority in North America, was created in 1935 to provide decent, affordable housing for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers.

Why doesn t New York build more housing? ›

Tax Abatement Key to New Housing

The lack of a tax incentive when combined with higher interest rates and rising construction costs has stalled rental development in recent years.

What percent of NYC lives in public housing? ›

NYCHA public housing represents 7.1 percent of the city's rental apartments (2021 NYC Housing and Vacancy Survey) and houses 3.7 percent of the city's population (April 2020 U.S. Census Estimate). WITH 528,105* PEOPLE, NYCHA'S POPULATION IS LARGER THAN ATLANTA, MIAMI, OR SACRAMENTO.

What does yes in my backyard mean? ›

The YIMBY movement (short for "yes in my back yard") is a pro-infrastructure development movement mostly focusing on public housing policy, real estate development, public transportation, and pedestrian safety in transportation planning, in contrast and in opposition to the NIMBY ("not in my back yard") movement that ...

What is the Yes in My Back Yard YIMBY Act? ›

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i) reintroduced the Yes In My Backyard (YIMBY) Act to shed light on discriminatory land zoning policies, encourage localities to cut burdensome regulations, and bring a new level of transparency to the community development process.

How many houses of worship are there in NYC? ›

There are approximately 2000 churches and 4000 informal places of worship, such as community halls and homes, in New York City.

Who owns NYC public housing? ›

Public Housing (PH)

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) owns and manages public housing units, which are currently funded with project-based subsidies from HUD, and in some buildings, with city and state financing.

What city has the most public housing? ›

With more than 180,000 public housing units, the New York City Housing Authority is by far the nation's largest public housing authority (PHA).

Which borough has the most housing projects? ›

The Bronx accounted for 35% of new housing completions in 2023, surpassing Brooklyn for the first time in years as the borough leading the city in housing growth.

What is the biggest housing projects in New York City? ›

The complex opened in 1939 and is the largest housing project in North America. Queensbridge is located in Queens Community District 1, and its ZIP Code is 11101.

What is considered low income in NYC? ›

A person of low income is one who is not a recipient of public assistance under the Social Services Law and whose income does not exceed (1) $6,500 or (2) such other sum not less than $6,500 nor more than $25,000 as may be provided by local law.

What is the most Section 8 will pay? ›

The maximum housing assistance is generally the lesser of the payment standard minus 30% of the family's monthly adjusted income or the gross rent for the unit minus 30% of monthly adjusted income.

Is it hard to find housing in NYC? ›

The report, by the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development, found just 1.4% of apartments in the city were available to rent in 2023, the lowest since 1968. Less than 1% of vacant apartments were available for less than $2,400 a month, while just 0.39% of apartments under $1,100 were vacant.

Is there a housing crisis in New York City? ›

There is less availability across more rent levels, making it increasingly difficult for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers to secure housing. In 2021, the vacancy rate was below 1% for home renting for less than $1,500.

How much is enough to live in NYC? ›

A single adult living in New York City would need to make $138,570 a year in order to live comfortably, according to the study. That equates to an hourly wage of $66.62. To cover the cost of just necessities as a single person in New York City, you would need to make an estimated $70,000, according to SmartAsset.

What is the rental shortage in NYC? ›

The emergency is defined as a citywide rental housing vacancy of less than five percent. The latest survey shows a vacancy rate of just 1.4% in the city — the lowest number since 1968, according to the NYC Housing and Vacancy Survey. The last time the survey was conducted back in 2021, that number was at 4.4%.

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