{"id":2732,"date":"2024-11-01T10:40:47","date_gmt":"2024-11-01T14:40:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/?p=2732"},"modified":"2024-11-04T09:48:51","modified_gmt":"2024-11-04T14:48:51","slug":"speaker-adrienne-adams-council-members-and-advocates-announce-city-for-all-housing-plan-to-advance-comprehensive-housing-solutions-for-all-new-yorkers-with-focus-on-affordability","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/2024\/11\/01\/2732\/","title":{"rendered":"Speaker Adrienne Adams, Council Members, and Advocates Announce City for All Housing Plan to Advance Comprehensive Housing Solutions for All New Yorkers with Focus on Affordability"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>Housing plan addresses lack of commitments for affordability, infrastructure and housing protections in mayoral administration\u2019s proposed zoning reform<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>City Hall, NY<\/strong> \u2013 Today, New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Council Members announced <em>City for All<\/em>, the Council\u2019s inclusive housing plan to holistically address New Yorkers\u2019 wide range of housing challenges with policy actions and investments. The Council\u2019s housing plan is focused on advancing a more affordable, livable, and sustainable city for all New Yorkers, calling for deeper affordability in housing, increased affordable homeownership and housing preservation efforts, investments in community infrastructure, stronger tenant protections, better use of housing vouchers, and increased capacity for housing agencies. The <em>City for All<\/em> housing plan is the Council\u2019s response to Mayor Adams\u2019 citywide zoning reform proposal, currently under review by the Council, lacking complementary housing investments and policies that confront the housing issues facing New Yorkers and their neighborhoods.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNew Yorkers need more housing, but affordability, homeownership opportunities, housing security and stability, and neighborhood investments are equally important to help working- and middle-class residents in our city,\u201d said <strong>Speaker Adrienne Adams<\/strong>. \u201cIn order to ensure everyone in our city has safe and stable housing to continue contributing to the strength of our city and its economy, we must go beyond zoning reforms to address all the unrelenting housing pressures that leave New Yorkers struggling to afford finding or staying in homes. Without holistic solutions, our city\u2019s severe housing and affordability crisis will only worsen. I am proud to join with my colleagues and advocates to announce <em>City for All<\/em>, the Council\u2019s housing plan to meet the full range of housing needs of New Yorkers. Taken together, these actions and investments can help ease the challenges facing New Yorkers, allowing our city to become more affordable, livable, and sustainable. The Council intends to advance <em>City for All <\/em>to secure the housing justice all New Yorkers deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Further details on the plan can be found <a href=\"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2024\/11\/C4ALL-PLAN.pdf\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><em>City for All<\/em> calls for:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Deepen Affordability of Housing Production<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Significantly Increase Funding in HPD Five-Year Capital Plan for Affordable Housing Programs and Deeper Affordability<\/li>\n<li>Deepen Affordability Targets<\/li>\n<li>Make Deep Affordability Option 3 of MIH Stand-Alone<\/li>\n<li>Require Affordability in Large Transit Oriented Developments and Town Center Developments<\/li>\n<li>Strengthen Support for Faith- and Community-Based Organizations Affordable Housing Development<\/li>\n<li>Increase Funding and Support to Strengthen Community Land Trusts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Support Affordable Homeownership<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Double funding for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nyc.gov\/site\/hpd\/services-and-information\/homefirst-down-payment-assistance-program.page\">HPD HomeFirst<\/a> Down Payment Assistance Program<\/li>\n<li>Expand Funding for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nyc.gov\/site\/hpd\/services-and-information\/homefix.page\">HPD HomeFix<\/a> to provide financing to working- and middle-class homeowners for maintenance and repairs to preserve homeownership<\/li>\n<li>Increase Affordable Homeownership Production through increased funding<\/li>\n<li>Increase Funding of Legal Services for Homeowners<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Invest in Infrastructure to Support Growth<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Commit Significant Capital Funding for DEP Infrastructure, Open Space and Street Upgrades<\/li>\n<li>Make increased investments in public transit, including infrastructure, access to reduced fare programs, bus service, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Strengthen Affordable Housing Preservation<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Significantly Increase Capital Funding for NYCHA Section 9 Units<\/li>\n<li>Increase Funding for HPD Preservation<\/li>\n<li>Incentivize Return of Vacant Units<\/li>\n<li>Significantly Increase Funding for Mitchell-Lamas Preservation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Bolster Utilization of Housing Vouchers<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Use Vouchers to Help New Yorkers at Greatest Risk and Fix Bureaucratic Issues<\/li>\n<li>Establish Voucher Incentives and Set-Asides<\/li>\n<li>Significantly Increase Funding to Combat Housing Discrimination<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Protect Tenants<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Significantly Enhance Right to Counsel Funding<\/li>\n<li>Restore and Strengthen Anti-Harassment Tenant Protection (AHTP) Program<\/li>\n<li>Increase Funding for Non-profit Tenant Organizing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Fund Housing Agency Capacity<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Enhance HPD Development Capacity<\/li>\n<li>Strengthen DOB &amp; HPD Housing Inspections<\/li>\n<li>Increase Funding for Neighborhood Plans<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>New York City is currently facing a severe housing crisis, with a citywide housing vacancy rate of 1.4 percent\u2013 the lowest percentage since 1968. The lack of housing is greatest for the most affordable homes, and most New York City renters are rent-burdened (paying 30 percent or more of their income on rent). Record homelessness, rising evictions, and widespread housing insecurity are impacting New Yorkers across the city, resulting in less safety and stability for communities.<\/p>\n<p>The Council, under Speaker Adams, has prioritized the advancement of housing solutions, including the approval of major land use projects \u2013 Innovation QNS and Hallets North in Queens, Innovative Urban Village in Brooklyn, and the Bronx Metro-North Stations and Bruckner Boulevard rezonings in the Bronx. Speaker Adams has led by example within her own district by approving projects to create affordable housing, including the <a href=\"https:\/\/zap.planning.nyc.gov\/projects\/2019Q0302\">South Jamaica Gateway Rezoning<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/zap.planning.nyc.gov\/projects\/2020Q0150\">141-05 109th Avenue Rezoning<\/a>, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/zap.planning.nyc.gov\/projects\/2020Q0378\">97-04 Sutphin Boulevard Rezoning<\/a>, among others.<\/p>\n<p>In December 2022, Speaker Adams released her <a href=\"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/2022\/12\/15\/2317\/\">Housing Agenda to Confront the City\u2019s Crisis<\/a>, outlining comprehensive actions for the City to tackle the housing shortage, deepen affordability, preserve housing, and restore support for City agencies, and in November 2023, the Council enacted Speaker Adams\u2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/2023\/11\/15\/2503\/\">Fair Housing Framework Act<\/a>, which will require the City to establish targeted housing production goals for each community district. Through <em>City for All<\/em>, the Council is putting forward a holistic housing plan to support working- and middle-class families by investing in solutions that meet their needs.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNew Yorkers across the city are grappling with the impacts of the housing and affordability crisis, which is making it difficult for working-class families to remain in their neighborhoods,\u201d said <strong>Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala<\/strong>. \u201cZoning reform alone cannot meet the full needs of our residents. New Yorkers need a comprehensive set of investments and policies to deliver the housing security we deserve. The City For All housing plan presents holistic solutions that will create a more affordable, livable, and sustainable city, with a focus on deepening affordability, bolstering tenant protections, improving access to housing vouchers, investing in community infrastructure, and more. Most importantly, City for All prioritizes investments for all NYCHA residents. Too often, the unacceptable deteriorating living conditions of Section 9 NYCHA tenants have not been enough of a priority, and this plan is a critical shift in the right direction toward supporting all residents. I thank Speaker Adams for her leadership and all of my colleagues for their partnership in developing a concrete plan to support all New Yorkers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is unacceptable that working- and middle-class families are being pushed out of the city they call home due to housing instability and rising costs,\u201d said <strong>Majority Leader Amanda Far\u00edas<\/strong>. \u201cNew Yorkers have been calling for a comprehensive housing action plan that truly addresses their needs, and the Council is answering that call. City for All is built on the priorities we have heard from communities across the city, including expanding affordable housing, strengthening tenant protections, and providing real support for those facing housing insecurity. This plan is about keeping New Yorkers in New York City, making our communities stronger, and building a strong and sustainable future for our city.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Our city is dealing with an affordability crisis, and\u00a0we must take action in a thoughtful way,&#8221; said <strong>Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks-Powers<\/strong>. &#8220;Working and middle-class families looking to purchase homes and build intergenerational wealth simply cannot afford to do so. Furthermore, we must\u00a0significantly\u00a0invest\u00a0in healthcare, transit, education and other forms of infrastructure to truly meet New Yorker&#8217;s needs. I thank Speaker Adams for her\u00a0leadership and advocacy on this critical issue, and I look forward to continuing our collaboration to ensure we meet our city&#8217;s needs comprehensively.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNew York City\u2019s housing crisis affects everyone,\u201d said <strong>Council Member Keith Powers<\/strong>. \u201cWith a vacancy rate of just 1.4%, rents are skyrocketing, and everyday New Yorkers are struggling. The plan the Council is announcing today is tackling the crisis from all sides, making critical investments in all areas of the housing market to address the challenges our city is facing.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHousing underproduction is driving up cost of living, and we must consider supply incentives and strategies, zoning changes, and community ownership opportunities to address this crisis. Overall, the City of Yes Housing Opportunity offers a thoughtful approach to reforming our zoning regulations to produce more housing, but there is so much more to do to address the housing crisis than what City of Yes can achieve,\u201d said <strong>Council Member Carlina Rivera<\/strong>. \u201cUnder the leadership of Speaker Adams, City Council is working to advance policies that can complement this plan, focused on the production of affordable housing, preservation of existing affordable housing, opportunities for rezonings, community ownership, enhanced tenant protections, and greater access to housing vouchers and support.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It is no secret that New York City is in the midst of one of the most pressing housing crisis ever experienced in our great city,&#8221; said <strong>Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Chair of the Committee on Land Use<\/strong>. &#8220;On a daily basis, constituents seek my office\u2019s help in obtaining safer and more affordable housing. While City of Yes is a long overdue start in unlocking new housing opportunities, my community will continue to be severely rent-burdened if any new housing created doesn\u2019t truly reflect the neighborhoods in which they are built in. I am proud to join Speaker Adrienne Adams and my colleagues in rolling out City for All, a plan that comprehensively highlights actions that will generate the change so many New Yorkers need and demand. As Chair of the Committee on Land Use, I look forward to working with Speaker Adams and my colleagues in negotiating a plan that will create a more equitable city.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is essential that New York City\u2019s housing policies meet the diverse needs of all our residents, and I\u2019m proud that the Council has committed to a comprehensive plan, which represents a major step forward in addressing New York City\u2019s most pressing housing challenges,\u201d said <strong>Council Member Kevin C. Riley, Chair of the Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises.<\/strong> \u201cDuring last week\u2019s hearings, we heard from New Yorkers on all sides, and their concerns shaped this approach. Focusing on true opportunities for affordable homeownership, investing in critical infrastructure like sewage systems to support sustainable growth, and ensuring deep affordability are crucial steps. This plan embodies our commitment to supporting New Yorkers at every stage\u2014whether that\u2019s preserving existing homes, protecting tenants, or making vouchers more accessible and effective. By addressing every aspect of housing, we are laying the foundation for a stronger, more equitable city for all New Yorkers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe moment we are living in \u2013 a dire affordability crisis, tenants on the brink of eviction, New Yorkers unable to stay in the neighborhoods they call home, low-income and <a>middle class<\/a> New Yorkers leaving the city \u2013 demands bold action,\u201d said <strong>Council Member Pierina Sanchez, Chair of the Committee on Housing and Buildings.<\/strong> \u201cToday, I am proud to stand with Speaker Adams and my colleagues in putting forth a housing action plan for the City of New York. While the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity includes important zoning reforms that are long overdue, zoning on its own simply cannot meet the scope of this crisis. We must go further than \u2018a little more housing in every neighborhood\u2019; we have an obligation to leave the status quo behind and deliver comprehensive solutions that center our city\u2019s most vulnerable. Deep affordability, robust tenant protections, expanded voucher access for those facing homelessness, expanded homeownership opportunities, neighborhood infrastructure investments: these are the critical additional steps we must take. I am proud to have co-led a coalition of Council Members and advocates from across our city who understand this reality and, collectively, are calling today for transformative change.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe plan that Speaker Adams is putting forward offers a comprehensive view of the city\u2019s housing needs,\u201d said <strong>Council Member Shaun Abreu<\/strong>. \u201cTo improve housing security and deepen affordability, we must prioritize investments in infrastructure that drives growth and enables affordable homeownership. Preserving our affordable housing stock and ensuring vouchers work effectively are essential to protecting tenants and their rights. We need to revitalize neglected buildings, transforming them into affordable housing solutions. We need to fulfill the promise of Right to Counsel and ensure tenant protections are upheld. With sufficient funding for Housing Preservation and Development, we can combat income-based discrimination and build a fairer, more inclusive housing landscape for all New Yorkers. These are all realistic goals that we can accomplish with the right leadership.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHome ownership and affordable housing of all forms is a high need across the city, and something I consistently hear from constituents in the neighborhoods that make up Brooklyn\u2019s 42nd Council District which I represent,\u201d said <strong>Council Member Chris Banks<\/strong>. \u201cSpeaker Adams\u2019 multi-faceted approach to addressing the housing concerns faced across the city by so many is a welcome step that will continue to help address our housing accessibility and affordability crisis.&nbsp; Implementing this plan which supports affordable homeownership options, infrastructure investments surrounding areas with new housing construction, along with the availability of wrap around support services that will protect the rights of tenants while also helping to ensure New Yorkers can take advantage of new housing opportunities is a very welcome step for our city.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI want to thank Speaker Adrienne Adams and Housing Committee Chair Pierina Sanchez for their leadership on one of the defining issues of our time,\u201d said <strong>Council Member Erik Bottcher<\/strong>. \u201cNew Yorkers are counting on their City Council to address this crisis that is forcing them to leave their city because they can\u2019t find anywhere to live. This Council is stepping up to the plate and putting forward a comprehensive vision for alleviating the housing crisis.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCongratulations to Speaker Adams and Land Use staff for ensuring that the City of Yes proposal is accompanied by a plan that includes tenant protection, vouchers in dense, higher income areas and oversight over the preservation of existing affordable apartments,\u201d said <strong>Council Member Gale A. Brewer<\/strong>. \u201cBuilding and preserving affordable housing to meet the needs of New Yorkers is a challenge that thus far has not been met. This plan goes a long way toward meeting the challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur city\u2019s housing crisis demands bold solutions. Zoning reform and adding housing supply is crucial, but not enough,\u201d said <strong>Council Member Tiffany Cab\u00e1n<\/strong>. \u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019m proud to support Council Speaker Adrienne Adams\u2019s plan to make critical investments in affordability, especially for the lowest-income New Yorkers. Together we can expand voucher access, reverse the Mayor\u2019s irresponsible damage done to CITY FHEPS, and commit to using every tool available to fix our city\u2019s housing crisis and make NYC affordable for New Yorkers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWith roughly 90% of our constituent services cases reflecting a deep concern for housing stability, my district faces the housing crisis daily,\u201d said <strong>Council Member Carmen De La Rosa.<\/strong> \u201cThe Council is addressing housing needs realistically and holistically, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration to identify solutions that create a livable city for all.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe benefits of homeownership are countless: economic stability, housing stability, help families build generational wealth, and so much more,\u201d said <strong>Council Member Oswald Feliz.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe must prioritize the creation of affordable homeownership opportunities in the neediest communities. I applaud Speaker Adams for making this issue a top priority.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI applaud Speaker Adrienne Adams for launching the Council\u2019s Housing Action Plan to comprehensively address New York City\u2019s worsening housing crisis,\u201d said <strong>Council Member Shahana Hanif<\/strong>. \u201cOur city stands at a pivotal moment, with record-low vacancy rates, widespread rent burdens, and an affordability crisis severely impacting working and middle-class families. This plan is an urgent step forward, committed to deep affordability and tenant protections to address the needs of those most affected. I look forward to collaborating with the Speaker, my colleagues, and the Administration to advance these critical priorities and ensure every New Yorker has access to affordable housing.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur city\u2019s housing crisis is one of supply and affordability. While increasing supply by permitting greater density will help lower rents, building alone won\u2019t protect our most vulnerable New Yorkers, especially longtime Black and brown residents in gentrifying neighborhoods,\u201d said <strong>Council Member Crystal Hudson<\/strong>. \u201cUnder this plan, Speaker Adams and this Council are ensuring the people who built our city\u2019s diverse and vibrant communities can continue to live in them. By deepening affordability requirements in new housing production and supporting affordable homeownership, many low-income local residents in neighborhoods like Prospect Heights and Crown Heights \u2013 where Black households earn $48,000 a year and white households make $133,000 a year \u2013 will be able to afford new rents or buy their first home and build generational wealth. And greater resources for tenant organizing, legal services, and preservation efforts will keep longtime residents in their existing homes. I applaud the Speaker\u2019s leadership on this vital issue and look forward to working with my colleagues in government to make New York more affordable for all.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWith this announcement, we\u2019re taking a critical step forward in addressing the urgent housing challenges that affect every corner of our city,\u201d said<strong> Council Member Rita Joseph<\/strong>. \u201cThis comprehensive housing plan represents our shared commitment to building an inclusive New York where affordable options are not just available but accessible to all. By deepening affordability, protecting tenants, and ensuring our neighborhoods have the infrastructure to sustain growth, we are laying the foundation for a more secure and just future. Housing is a basic right, and today\u2019s plan shows that we are serious about making that right a reality for every New Yorker.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhere you live affects the rest of your life in New York City. It determines your health, your education, and even your income,\u201d said <strong>Council Member Shekar Krishnan.<\/strong> \u201cYet, too many of our families are fighting to find affordable, dignified homes and to stay in them. We\u2019re in the midst of a housing crisis and we\u2019re overdue for action. I thank Speaker Adams for her bold leadership and am proud to be a part of a City Council that recognize the severity of this issue, its impact, and the need for change. This comprehensive plan recognizes the variety of ways that NYC families are struggling to stay in their homes, and provides true solutions to make sure we can all thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNew York City faces a dire housing shortage which City of Yes seeks to solve,\u201d said <strong>Council Member Chi Osse<\/strong>. \u201cThe Council\u2019s response insists upon more thorough investments in affordability and access to ensure that large-scale changes to city housing policy are to the benefit of all.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe City of Yes proposal rightly recognizes that we need to create more housing in every neighborhood,\u201d said<strong> Council Member Lincoln Restler<\/strong>, \u201cbut I&#8217;m grateful to Speaker Adams for her bold leadership to ensure this plan ultimately includes transformational investments in building and preserving affordable housing and strengthening tenant protections.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEvery New Yorker deserves a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home, which is also essential for positive health outcomes,\u201d said <strong>Council Member Lynn Schulman<\/strong>. \u201cThis comprehensive housing plan is a critical step forward in addressing our city&#8217;s most pressing housing challenges. By deepening affordability, supporting pathways to homeownership, protecting tenants, and investing in essential infrastructure, we\u2019re creating a future where every resident can thrive in a community they love.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWith this Housing Plan, we are taking decisive action to make New York City a place where everyone can thrive,\u201d said <strong>Council Member Dr. Nantasha Williams<\/strong>. \u201cBy deepening affordability, supporting pathways to homeownership, and strengthening tenant protections, we are ensuring that housing serves all New Yorkers\u2014not just a privileged few. This plan also prioritizes critical investments in infrastructure and city agency capacity, so we can truly support our communities as they grow.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cANHD commends the Speaker and the Council for their commitment to a holistic approach to addressing New York City&#8217;s housing crisis, including investments in deep affordability, preservation, eviction prevention, and the full range of programs outlined in this package,\u201d said <strong>Emily Goldstein, Director of Organizing and Advocacy, Association for Neighborhood &amp; Housing Development<\/strong>. \u201cA holistic approach must also include taking every opportunity to maximize affordability in our zoning incentives. ANHD will continue to work with our members, allies, and elected officials to ensure that we are using every tool and lever at our disposal to end homelessness and guarantee all New Yorkers access to safe, secure and affordable homes.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe commend the City Council and Speaker Adams for their bold commitment to tackle New York City&#8217;s longstanding housing crisis with this visionary agenda. By championing affordable homeownership, supporting community land trusts, and prioritizing resiliency and preservation, the Council is advancing policies that lay the groundwork for a more equitable and accessible city,\u201d says <strong>Christie Peale, CEO and Executive Director of the Center for NYC Neighborhoods.<\/strong> \u201cOur organization and partners have long advocated for these measures to put affordable homeownership within reach for more low- and middle-income New Yorkers, and are thrilled to see them recognized as parts of this transformative housing plan. We hope the Council will continue their push for a comprehensive agenda that enables all New Yorkers to thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTackling the city\u2019s family homelessness crisis requires a broad set of solutions, including more funding for eviction prevention and aftercare services, streamlining rental assistance programs so families can exit shelter faster, and fully funding the city agencies responsible for affordable housing production and benefits access,\u201d said <strong>Citizens Committee for Children, Enterprise Community Partners and New Destiny Housing on behalf of the Family Homelessness Coalition<\/strong>. \u201cWe applaud Speaker Adams and the City Council for presenting a comprehensive plan and encourage all stakeholders to work toward an agreement for the benefit of New York\u2019s families.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Council\u2019s City for All housing plan is a multifaceted investment in a future New York that is affordable to all, and a necessary addition to the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity,\u201d said <strong>David R. Jones, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Community Service Society of New York (CSS)<\/strong>. \u201cBy prioritizing the capital needs of our aging social housing stock, the plan will ensure our public housing and Mitchell-Lama developments continue to serve as a bulwark of affordability for years to come. By increasing funding for anti-eviction tools, like Right to Counsel, and expanding the reach of the city\u2019s rental assistance program, the plan guarantees that more vulnerable New Yorkers will stay housed. And by increasing funding for development programs that guarantee deep and permanent affordability, the plan will launch a generational expansion of new social housing in New York City.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBrooklyn\u2019s housing crisis is undeniable: soaring rents, limited options, and an urgent need for affordable housing are impacting families in every neighborhood. The City of Yes proposal is a critical first step, unlocking potential for housing solutions that respect our communities&#8217; character while addressing immediate needs. We strongly endorse the City Council\u2019s comprehensive housing plan as it embraces this vision, with commitments to deepen investments in affordable housing, rental assistance, and vital protections against displacement,\u201d said <strong>Michelle de la Uz, Executive Director of Fifth Avenue Committee<\/strong>. \u201cTogether, with this plan, we can ensure that every neighborhood is part of a truly comprehensive housing solution that says \u2018yes\u2019 to affordable homes, sustainable growth, and keeping our communities together.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFar too many New Yorkers experience the trauma of homelessness and housing instability,\u201d said <strong>Kristin Miller, Executive Director of Homeless Services United<\/strong>.&nbsp; &#8220;We applaud Speaker Adams and the entire Council for envisioning this holistic housing strategy which tackles the barriers to housing throughout our city, from inefficiencies and discrimination with rental assistance vouchers that help people move out of shelter and into permanent housing, to prioritizing the creation of more deeply affordable housing paired with additional Capital Funding to create and preserve affordable units. Through this comprehensive housing plan, as well as proposed zoning reforms, New York City can become a more affordable place so that all New Yorkers can continue to call it their home.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHousing Works commends the Speaker and City Council for their work developing holistic solutions to the city&#8217;s housing crisis,\u201d said <strong>Seth Pollack, Director of Community Mobilization at Housing Works<\/strong>. \u201cHousing Works serves many of the most vulnerable New Yorkers, including people living with HIV\/AIDS, people who are homeless or unstably housed, people impacted by the criminal legal system, and recently arrived immigrants. Investing in deeper affordability in new construction and making vouchers work is essential for people in these vulnerable groups, and for achieving Housing Works&#8217; mission of ending the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is essential for the City to provide robust and permanent funding for the Anti-Harassment Tenant Protection (AHTP) program,\u201d said the<strong> LEAP Coalition&#8217;s AHTP Providers<\/strong>. \u201cAHTP supports individuals and groups of tenants leveraging their collective power to combat harassment and displacement. This program is dynamic in design and provides tenants access to a variety of legal resources to protect their homes and ensure they live in safe, affordable and dignified housing. AHTP needs to be a part of any and all comprehensive housing plans for NYC.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNew York City is in dire need of housing, especially units that are truly affordable to the communities we represent, but zoning alone isn\u2019t the panacea for New Yorkers to achieve housing stability,\u201d said <strong>Judith Goldiner, Attorney-In-Charge of the Civil Law Reform Unit at The Legal Aid Society<\/strong>. \u201cAny housing plan demands a holistic approach, including improved access to vouchers, protections for tenants to remain safely in their homes, and tools for New Yorkers to hold negligent landlords accountable who let their buildings deteriorate. The Legal Aid Society thanks Speaker Adams and the City Council for putting forth this common sense <em>City for All<\/em> housing plan that will truly benefit the communities we represent.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNew York City is in the midst of one of the worst housing crises in its history,\u201d said <strong>Shervon M. Small, Executive Director of Legal Services NYC<\/strong>, one of largest providers of housing legal services in the City. \u201cVulnerable families need solutions now\u2014solutions that not only create more affordable housing, but include real protections that keep families in the homes they already live in. We applaud the NYC Council for including the full restoration of funding for the City\u2019s Anti-Harassment and Tenant Protection program, a proven safeguard that keeps low-income families safe, out of eviction court, and in affordable housing. And we look forward to working with the Council to expand this funding to fully protect every community in NYC and to bolstering other innovative housing programs, like the City&#8217;s Right to Counsel program, so that every New York City resident remains safely housed.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSpeaker Adams and Chair Sanchez are right that we need additional resources to combat the housing crisis. Their comprehensive plan is a strong complement to the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, which will add housing supply for New Yorkers at all income levels. City of Yes must be passed in its entirety,\u201d said<strong> Rachel Fee, Executive Director of the New York Housing Conference<\/strong>. \u201cTo tackle this crisis head on, zoning reforms are critical but their impact can be enhanced by increasing housing capital, funding for tenant protection services and improved infrastructure. We are grateful for Speaker Adams\u2019 and Chair Sanchez\u2019s leadership on this issue, and we look forward to working with them to pass City of Yes, along with additional programs to strengthen it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe plan announced today by Speaker Adrienne Adams represents a critical step in addressing New York City&#8217;s housing crisis,\u201d said <strong>Annemarie Gray, Executive Director of Open New York.<\/strong> \u201cConfronting the depth of our housing challenges demands an all-of-the-above strategy. We are excited to see a comprehensive approach, pairing necessary zoning reforms with a complementary set of investments in affordability, fair housing, and tenant protections to meet the diverse needs of New Yorkers. By leading the way on a complete package to address our housing crisis, the Council is helping to ensure that New Yorkers today and New Yorkers of tomorrow can afford to call our city home.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cUHAB knows from 50 years of experience that expanding homeownership for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers is a critical step toward interrupting the cycle of displacement in an increasingly unaffordable housing market,\u201d said <strong>Margy Brown, Executive Director of UHAB<\/strong>. \u201cWe applaud the Speaker Adams&#8217; and the Council&#8217;s advocacy for a comprehensive housing plan alongside zoning reform, with an emphasis on affordable homeownership creation and preservation of existing affordable housing.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe only real solution to homelessness is housing and our City desperately needs more of it, which is why we applaud the City Council\u2019s City for All Housing Plan that would create real housing solutions for people who need it most.&#8221;\u00a0 said <strong>Win President &amp; CEO Christine Quinn.<\/strong> \u201cBuilding housing is critical but ensuring that any housing built is accessible to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness is equally important. We commend Speaker Adams and the Council for advocating for reforms that will both increase housing supply and reduce homelessness by expanding CityFHEPS eligibility, fixing CityFHEPS administrative issues, and deepening affordability targets.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">###<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><em>Housing plan addresses lack of commitments for affordability, infrastructure and housing protections in mayoral administration\u2019s proposed zoning reform<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>City Hall, NY<\/strong> \u2013 Today, New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Council Members announced <em>City for All<\/em>, the Council\u2019s inclusive housing plan to holistically address New Yorkers\u2019 wide range of housing challenges with policy actions and investments.<\/p>\n<p>&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><strong><small><a href=\"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/2024\/11\/01\/2732\/\">READ MORE<\/a><\/small><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":274,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2732","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2732","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/274"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2732"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2732\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2732"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2732"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2732"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}