FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 9th, 2025

CONTACT: 
Emma Johnson
ejohnson@council.nyc.gov 
347-864-4925

New York City Council Member Keith Powers Statement on “Manhattan Plan” for Housing

NEW YORK – City Council Member Keith Powers released the following statement in response to New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ announcement of a Manhattan Plan for housing:

“Today’s announcement presents laudable goals to address the affordable housing crisis. Without enough homes to house the people who live here, we have seen rents soar, vacancy rates plummet, and opportunity decline. The result is New Yorkers who are leaving our city, searching for housing they can afford. That has to change.

We are already taking action to build more homes in Manhattan. The Midtown South rezoning plan has been under way, which will reimagine a central area of the borough as a live-work neighborhood. By making zoning changes that allow for conversions of offices to housing, we can unlock huge numbers of apartments in partially or entirely vacant buildings.

There’s still more to be done to determine the feasibility of the plan. It’s critical that the process includes comprehensive community engagement, a guarantee of deep affordability on publicly-owned sites, and a commitment by all stakeholders to take bold action to address the housing crisis.”

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