{"id":2758,"date":"2024-11-25T14:55:33","date_gmt":"2024-11-25T19:55:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/?p=2758"},"modified":"2024-12-03T14:05:48","modified_gmt":"2024-12-03T19:05:48","slug":"nyc-council-secures-5-billion-in-commitments-for-city-for-all-plan-to-invest-into-communities-and-increase-affordability","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/2024\/11\/25\/2758\/","title":{"rendered":"NYC Council Speaker Adams, Council Members, and Advocates Highlight $5 Billion in Commitments Secured for City for All Housing Plan"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>Investments <\/em>w<em>ill strengthen affordability, homeownership, neighborhood infrastructure, tenant protections, agency capacity, and planning efforts while advancing zoning reforms to produce over 80,000 new homes<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>City Hall, NY<\/strong> \u2013 The New York City Council highlighted the $5 billion in commitments the Council secured for its <a href=\"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/2024\/11\/01\/2732\/\"><em>City for All<\/em><\/a> housing plan, as part of <a>its<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/2024\/11\/21\/2752\/\">agreement<\/a> on the Zoning for Housing Opportunity (ZHO) citywide zoning text amendment. Together with modifications to ZHO, it is one of the most significant housing plans in New York City history, with $1 billion committed by Governor Kathy Hochul and the State of New York. The agreement is estimated to produce 80,000 new homes and invests in solutions that deepen the affordability of housing, support affordable homeownership, bolster neighborhood infrastructure, preserve affordable housing (including NYCHA), protect tenants, strengthen housing agencies\u2019 capacities, and support new planning efforts that can produce more housing. The Council put forward <em>City for All <\/em>to advance a holistic housing plan that could support working- and middle-class New Yorkers and invest in solutions that met their housing needs, recognizing that zoning reform was only one part of addressing the housing crisis. <em>City for All <\/em>to advance a holistic housing plan that could support working- and middle-class New Yorkers and invest in solutions that met their housing needs, recognizing that zoning reform was only one part of addressing the housing crisis.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe committees\u2019 approval of the Council\u2019s comprehensive housing plan to modify the Zoning for Housing Opportunity text amendment with major investments in <em>City for All<\/em> demonstrates that it is possible to create a significant amount of new housing in every neighborhood, while respecting neighborhood character and investing in more affordable housing, communities, and homeownership,\u201d said <strong>Speaker Adrienne Adams<\/strong>. \u201cToday is an important step forward to address the city\u2019s housing crisis that is making it unaffordable for working- and middle-class New Yorkers. Residents of our city need affordable and stable homes to rent and own and addressing that shortage, while supporting existing homeowners and tenants, deepening affordability, and strengthening the infrastructure of neighborhoods, are goals we must all share for a safer and stronger city.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>A more detailed summary of the $5 billion in commitments to City for All can be <\/strong><strong>found <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2024\/11\/City-for-All-Commitments.pdf\"><strong>here<\/strong><\/a><strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>The commitments include:&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Deepened Affordability and Preserve Affordable Housing<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>$2 billion secured in additional housing capital investments to finance affordable housing development and preservation, support Mitchell-Lama developments, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), and HDFCs<\/li>\n<li>Larger projects that take advantage of the Universal Affordability Preference (UAP) program with 10,000 or more square feet of UAP floor area will be required to deliver 20% of their total income-restricted units at 40% area median income (AMI) or below to deliver deeply affordable housing<\/li>\n<li>For the first time in New York City\u2019s zoning code, affordability requirements in low-density zoning districts will be established to enact inclusionary zoning citywide\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Town Center, Transit Oriented Development, and community facility developments of a certain size will be required to provide permanently affordable housing at an average of 80 AMI<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>The MIH Option 3 deep affordability option that requires the delivery of 20% of income-restricted housing at 40% AMI deep affordability will become a stand-alone option opening up new opportunities for deeply affordable housing through the MIH program.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Support for Affordable Homeownership<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Double funding for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=2ahUKEwib0YOe7vCJAxXFEGIAHYo-IXsQFnoECBoQAQ&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nyc.gov%2Fsite%2Fhpd%2Fservices-and-information%2Fhomefirst-down-payment-assistance-program.page&amp;usg=AOvVaw0de-g0wENEOzbAmH00641-&amp;opi=89978449\">HomeFirst Down Payment Assistance Program<\/a> with $41 million and expand its eligibility to more moderate-income New Yorkers up to 120% AMI to increase homeownership opportunities.<\/li>\n<li>Expand <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=&amp;cad=rja&amp;uact=8&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjI7Kqs7vCJAxUhL1kFHf84HkUQFnoECAwQAQ&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nyc.gov%2Fsite%2Fhpd%2Fservices-and-information%2Fhomefix.page&amp;usg=AOvVaw2NCA-jHx954Rw1H51rzwUB&amp;opi=89978449\">HomeFix 2.0<\/a> which supports working-class homeowners\u2019 ability to maintain their homes with a commitment of $27.7 million.<\/li>\n<li>In addition to the funding commitments to support Mitchell-Lama developments, a joint City-State Mitchell-Lama Action Group will be established to improve and stabilize Mitchell-Lama developments that have accumulated billions of dollars in deferred maintenance.<\/li>\n<li>Increase funding of legal services for homeowners through the <a href=\"https:\/\/homeownerhelpny.org\/help-desk\">Homeowner Help Desk<\/a> by $25.6 million to protect and support existing homeowners.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Investment in Infrastructure, Including Parks and Open Space, to Support Growth<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dedicate $2 billion for infrastructure investments, including stormwater and drainage systems, street improvements, open space, flood mitigation, and sewer upgrades.<\/li>\n<li>Allocate $3 million to assist the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in designing new flood maps that guide where flood mitigation measures are required.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Protecting Tenants and Bolstering Utilization of Housing Vouchers <\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Add $215 million in funding for CityFHEPS vouchers across FY25 and FY26<\/li>\n<li>Increase funding by $187 million for CityFHEPS rental assistance for the rehabilitation and conversion of homeless housing to create permanent affordable homes for New Yorkers in the shelter system over ten years<\/li>\n<li>Dedicate $150 million to cover NYCHA rental arrears for eligible resident households, in addition to $35 million in state funding and $160 million of assistance distributed through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. \u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Commitment to work on issues related to Justice Involved Supportive Housing and the 15\/15 Supportive Housing program with $137 million in capital funding<\/li>\n<li>Create a new unit in CCHR with new attorney positions to support enforcement against violations of NYC\u2019s Human Rights Law, including source-of-income discrimination. \u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Restore $7.6 million in baselined funding to sustain Anti-Harassment Tenant Protection (AHTP) program in FY2025 and beyond; add $1.41 million annually to Partners in Preservation tenant organizing program to expand to 9 community districts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Funding Agency Capacity&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Add 200 new staff positions to strengthen the capacity of housing agencies to combat the housing crisis.\n<ul>\n<li>Staff for the Department of Housing Preservation and Development to support a range of development, planning, and enforcement functions across the agency.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Staff for the Department of Buildings to bolster the enforcement, inspection, and examination of buildings, including ADUs and basement and cellar apartments.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Add $5.9 million to support the Department of City Planning\u2019s (DCP) capacity to advance neighborhood plans across the five boroughs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Neighborhood Planning and Public Sites<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Initiate new DCP neighborhood planning studies for Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn Community Boards 12 and 14, East Flatbush in Brooklyn Community Board 17, Harlem River North in Bronx Community Board 7, and White Plains Road in Bronx Community Board 12. Public engagement will begin in 2025, and these studies could result in rezoning actions that deliver thousands of housing units, including affordable housing.<\/li>\n<li>Commitment for DCP to review potential densities in the Park Avenue area of the Bronx, with an eye toward a neighborhood plan that increases housing capacity, including homeownership.<\/li>\n<li>Commitment to working with the Speaker and Council to accelerate redevelopment of appropriate library properties into new state-of-the-art libraries co-located with residential housing that Speaker Adams advocated for in her <a href=\"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/3-13-24-state-of-the-city-address-final\/\">State of the City address<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Commitment to work with the Council to explore the Speaker\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/state-of-the-city-2023\/\">State of the City<\/a> proposal to redevelop new Section 9 apartments as part of mixed-income buildings on NYCHA land.<\/li>\n<li>Commitment to work with the Council to develop a vision for creating new community health, wellness and recreation centers in districts with health and safety challenges. These centers could feature access to health and mental health services, community and recreation spaces.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The Council, under Speaker Adams, has prioritized the advancement of housing solutions. Since 2022, it has approved over 27,500 units of housing, more than 50% of which are affordable, through its land use process. This includes 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. <strong><\/strong><\/p>\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>As part of the agreement, the City will publicly track the status of implementation and completion of the commitments and provide an annual report.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs New Yorkers in every community continue to face housing and economic pressures, it is imperative that our city takes bold steps to alleviate rising costs for working families in our city,\u201d said <strong>Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala<\/strong>. \u201cThe Council is proud to have secured $5 billion in commitments for our City for All housing plan, which will deliver the housing security and affordability that our residents need and deserve. In addition to deepening affordability in housing developments, strengthening community infrastructure, and bolstering the use of housing vouchers, these investments will also prioritize funding to support NYCHA residents, whose living conditions have not been enough of a priority. By investing more deeply in the preservation NYCHA and private apartments, this plan will ensure that all residents benefit from City for All.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTo support working- and middle- class families who are facing rising costs and housing instability, our city must advance solutions that address New Yorkers\u2019 housing needs,\u201d said <strong>Majority Leader Amanda Far\u00edas<\/strong>. \u201cThe Council is answering this call by securing $5 billion in investments through <em>City for All<\/em>, which was built on the priorities we have heard from communities across the city. By expanding affordable housing, strengthening tenant protections, and providing real support for all New Yorkers facing housing insecurity, this plan advance a stronger and more sustainable future for our communities.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe South Bronx knows firsthand the reality of New York City\u2019s housing crisis,\u201d said <strong>Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Chair of the Committee on Land Use<\/strong>. \u201cIt\u2019s why I\u2019ve made the creation of 100% affordable housing a priority of my tenure, and as such, District 17 has created over 10k units of affordable housing since I\u2019ve been elected. So while City of Yes was a critical first step in unlocking thousands upon thousands of affordable housing, my district and the City Council knew it was just the first step of the equation. Led by Speaker Adrienne Adams, City for All understood that zoning alone couldn\u2019t solve our housing crisis; tangible results could only be achieved if significant investment for deeper affordability, ironclad protections for the preservation of current affordable housing and funding for increased agency staffing were in place. Thanks to Speaker Adams leadership, we did just that, securing a historic $5 billion commitment that will provide vital protections for New Yorkers. I\u2019m extremely proud of the efforts of the City Council to shape this plan to one that will serve generations of those who call New York City home.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs Chair of the Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises, I am proud of the Council\u2019s work to advance the City for All plan while making critical modifications to the Administration\u2019s <em>City of Yes: Zoning for Housing Opportunity<\/em> proposal,\u201d <strong>said Council Member Kevin C. Riley.<\/strong> \u201cBacked by $5 billion in investments and transformative zoning reforms, this initiative will create over 80,000 new homes while prioritizing affordability and stability for all New Yorkers. These actions reflect our commitment to addressing the housing crisis with a comprehensive approach that ensures every neighborhood plays a role in fostering a more inclusive and equitable city while respecting community character. This is the most pro-housing initiative in New York City\u2019s history, expanding opportunities for homeownership and preserving existing affordable housing. These efforts mark a pivotal step in building a city that meets the housing needs of today while laying the groundwork for a more sustainable future.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNew Yorkers deserve bold action to access dignified, affordable housing\u2014something the City of Yes plan does not do on its own, but can deliver with the Council\u2019s <em>City for All <\/em>plan,\u201d said <strong>Council Member Pierina Sanchez, Chair of the Committee on Housing and Buildings<\/strong>. \u201cWhile adding supply is a critical piece to addressing the housing crisis, the Council recognized that we must do more to turn the tide. I am incredibly proud to have partnered with Speaker Adams and my colleagues to put forward the Council\u2019s <em>City for All<\/em> plan, which has secured $5 billion in critical additional investments that are rooted in principles of housing justice and comprehensive planning. Although these commitments hinge on the December 5th final vote, I am hopeful the Council will seize this opportunity and take a bold, collective step toward a city that we can all call home.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor decades, we simply have not built enough housing to keep up with demand. Without enough homes to house the people who live here, we have seen rents soar, vacancy rates plummet, and opportunity decline,\u201d said <strong>Council Member Keith Powers.<\/strong> The City for All plan charts a path forward for the next generation, with $5 billion committed to invest in critical infrastructure, city housing programs, tenant protections, NYCHA, and more. These are crucial steps to build a sustainable future for years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNew Yorkers deserve bold leadership that meets the challenge of our affordability crisis, and the City of Yes housing plan will help build a significant amount of new homes across the city,\u201d said <strong>Council Member Carlina Rivera.<\/strong> \u201cI commend Speaker Adams and City leadership for securing historic investments in capital, infrastructure, public housing, tenant protections, and more to expand on proposed zoning changes that will create opportunity and stronger neighborhoods.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe magnitude of the financial commitment that Speaker Adams secured\u2014$5 billion dedicated to affordable housing\u2014signals a real shift toward tackling the housing crisis with the urgency it deserves,\u201d said <strong>Council Member Shaun Abreu<\/strong>. \u201cToo many New Yorkers are struggling to find or keep a home they can afford, living on the edge of instability. The City for All plan, alongside our City of Yes initiative, is about ensuring every family has the opportunity for a safe, stable, and dignified home. Alongside critical investments in infrastructure, we must fully staff our city agencies. We need to fortify the workers responsible for permitting, inspections, procurement, tenant protections, and all of the other key functions underpinning the development and protection of affordable housing. Only then can we move from good intentions to real, lasting change for all New Yorkers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI want to thank Speaker Adrienne Adams for her leadership on one of the defining issues of our time,\u201d says<strong> Council Member Erik Bottcher.<\/strong> \u201cNew Yorkers are counting on their City Council to address this housing crisis that is forcing them to leave their city because they can\u2019t find anywhere to live. This historic investment in affordable housing will help ensure that the benefits reach all New Yorkers.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe subcommittee vote was an important step forward for affordable housing,\u201d said <strong>Council Member Gale A. Brewer<\/strong>. \u201cI am particularly pleased that Speaker Adrienne Adams secured funding to accompany City of Yes, a zoning proposal. I hope that more funding for CityFHEPS vouchers will also be secured, as in dense, transit-rich areas, more affordable units can be built and preserved with these vouchers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201c$5 billion for affordability. $5 billion for justice. $5 billion for the people. This Thanksgiving, I am grateful for the New York City Council staff, Speaker Adrienne Adams, and my colleagues for our work securing $5 billion of essential budget commitments that will address our city\u2019s profound housing and affordability crises,\u201d said <strong>Council Member Tiffany Cab\u00e1n<\/strong>. \u201cFrom public housing to expanded rental vouchers to tenant protections, these budget commitments are a win for our city that we can all be thankful for.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI commend Speaker Adams and the City Council for securing $5 billion in commitments for our City for All housing plan,\u201d <strong>said Council Member Shahana Hanif<\/strong>. \u201cThis comprehensive investment will address the needs of homeowners, renters, and those experiencing homelessness, and will be crucial in alleviating our affordable housing crisis. I look forward to working with my colleagues to make New York City a more livable and equitable place for all our residents.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is a transformative moment for New York City and for the 40th Council District,\u201d said <strong>Council Member Rita Joseph<\/strong>. \u201cWith $5 billion in investments to make housing more affordable, strengthen tenant protections, expand homeownership opportunities, and provide critical investments in NYCHA and programs like CityFHEPS, City for All is ensuring stability for New Yorkers facing diverse housing challenges. It ensures every neighborhood contributes to solving our affordability crisis and reaffirms our commitment to building a city where everyone, regardless of background or income, can find a place to call home. Our work is far from done, and I remain committed to pushing and expanding these efforts to ensure no New Yorker is left behind. Together, we are laying the foundation for a more inclusive, affordable, and thriving city for generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur city\u2019s housing crisis is the most urgent crisis we face because it connects to every other crisis New Yorkers face,\u201d said <strong>Council Member Shekar Krishnan.<\/strong> \u201cOur communities need more than just housing: they need open space, they need legal services to be protected from harassment from landlords and they need space to gather as a community. I am thankful for Speaker Adams\u2019 strong leadership as the City Council fought for and achieved thoughtful modifications and vital funding to the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity proposal to deliver for New Yorkers. That\u2019s why I\u2019m proud to support the City of Yes plan as modified by the New Yorkers City Council. It is moving us a step closer to ensuring every New Yorkers has a roof over their head and stable, dignified housing.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;By modifying the Zoning for Housing Opportunity text amendment, our City Council is respecting the unique character of our neighborhoods while still investing in critical affordable housing and homeownership,\u201d said <strong>Council Member Julie Menin<\/strong>. \u201cAffordable housing vacancy rates are at historic lows and these actions help address our ongoing housing crisis. I thank Speaker Adams for making New York City more sustainable and negotiating an additional $5 billion in capital funding for vital housing and infrastructure projects.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNew York City is facing a catastrophic housing shortage,\u201d said <strong>Council Member Chi Oss\u00e9<\/strong>. \u201cNew construction must be allowed and incentivized to prevent further displacement and restore affordability. This plan is a necessary step to tackling the crisis and I am especially proud of the additional wins secured by the City Council to promote equity and community-oriented investment. Let\u2019s build.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Thanks to the bold leadership of Speaker Adams, we\u2019re investing $5 billion into City for All to tackle the affordability crisis and build 80,000 new homes in every neighborhood,\u201d said <strong>Council Member Lincoln Restler<\/strong>. \u201cPlus, we\u2019re eliminating parking minimums in 1\/3 of New York City, including all of District 33, which will generate even more more housing, create more affordability, dynamic ground floor retail uses, and reduce carbon emissions!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe $5 billion in commitments for the City for All package &#8211; along with improved affordability in the proposed zoning text itself &#8211; represents a truly holistic approach to addressing New York City&#8217;s housing crisis, including investments in deep affordability, preservation, eviction prevention, and infrastructure improvements,\u201d said <strong>Emily Goldstein, Director of Organizing and Advocacy at the Association for Neighborhood and Housing Development (ANHD<\/strong>). \u201cWe deeply appreciate the dedication of the Speaker, Housing Chair Sanchez, and all the Council Members who fought to ensure that we are using every resource at our disposal to end homelessness and guarantee all New Yorkers access to safe, secure and affordable homes.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe City Council\u2019s historic investments \u2014 including expanded funding for the HomeFirst Down Payment Assistance Program, increased support for HomeFix 2.0, high-quality legal and housing counseling services through the Homeowner Help Desk, and critical resources for ADU development \u2014 will be transformative in addressing our city&#8217;s housing crisis, and advancing our shared goals of preserving, protecting and expanding homeownership opportunity for all New York Yorkers,\u201d said <strong>Christie Peale, Center for NYC Neighborhoods<\/strong>. \u201cThe Center for NYC Neighborhoods commends Speaker Adrienne Adams and the entire City Council for their unwavering commitment to housing equity through the City for All initiative. We\u2019re proud to continue our partnership in advancing these measures, ensuring more New Yorkers can achieve and sustain homeownership while supporting resilient and inclusive communities, today and for many generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe commend Speaker Adams and the City Council for securing new resources for rental assistance, preservation of our social and public housing stock, and other crucial programs\u201d said <strong>David R. Jones, CEO and President of the Community Service Society of New York<\/strong>. \u201c\u2018City for All\u2019 redoubles our city\u2019s commitment to safe, dignified and affordable housing, now and for generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHousing Works commends Speaker Adams and the City Council for securing needed funding commitments through the holistic City for All plan,\u201d said <strong>Seth Pollack, Director of Community Mobilization at Housing Works<\/strong>. \u201cHousing Works serves many of the most structurally disempowered 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. The City for All plan&#8217;s investments in deeper affordability and making vouchers work are especially important for people in these groups. We look forward to the Council&#8217;s continued partnership in advancing Housing Works&#8217; mission of ending the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThank you, Speaker Adams and members of the City Council, for all your tremendous work advocating for expanded tenant protections as part of the City of Yes plan, said <strong>the LEAP Coalition&#8217;s AHTP Providers<\/strong>. \u201cThe restoration of funding for the Anti-Harassment Tenant Protection program is essential to ensuring tenants across NYC have safe, affordable, and dignified housing, and that the communities we serve can thrive while the City continues to change around us.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe historic inclusion of critical tenant protections in the Council&#8217;s \u2018City for All\u2019 plan represents a significant step in combating the displacement that has long accompanied rezoning and development in New York City,\u201d said <strong>Adriene Holder, Chief Attorney of the Civil Practice at The Legal Aid Society<\/strong>. \u201cBy strengthening and expanding CityFHEPS to keep tenants housed in communities and restoring funding to the Anti-Harassment Tenant Protection program, alongside other tenant-focused initiatives, &#8216;City for All&#8217; offers the holistic and responsible housing plan that New Yorkers deserve and expect from their leaders at City Hall. The Legal Aid Society commends Speaker Adrienne Adams and the City Council for their strategic vision and for prioritizing these essential safeguards for the communities we serve.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNYC tenants and legal providers alike owe Speaker Adams and the NYC Council a huge thank you for restoring vital funding to the City\u2019s Anti-Harassment and Tenant Protection (AHTP) program in their City for All plan,\u201d said <strong>Shervon M. Small, Executive Director of Legal Services NYC<\/strong>. \u201cStrong tenant protections are vital in keeping low-income New Yorkers in their homes, especially in rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods. But tenants need legal service providers like us to help enforce those protections, fight evictions and harassment, and force landlords to make repairs so tenants can live safe and stable lives. This restored funding will help us do just that, along with other enhanced tenant protections that will help keep New Yorkers safely housed. We look forward to continuing our partnership with NYC Council to build on these improvements and make sure NYC truly remains a City for All.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSpeaker Adams and the City Council have continuously shown decisive leadership to increase investments in affordable housing and homeownership and help New York City address our housing crisis. This $5 billion commitment for affordable housing and infrastructure improvements through City for All will meaningfully expand housing opportunities for New Yorkers across the city,\u201d said <strong>Rachel Fee, Executive Director of the New York Housing Conference<\/strong>. \u201cIn combination with her Fair Housing Framework, Speaker Adams is ensuring that every neighborhood can do its part to build housing and make our city more affordable.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe historic 2024 NYC housing package unites major zoning reforms with significant housing investments and pro-tenant policies,\u201d said <strong>Annemarie Gray, Executive Director of Open New York<\/strong>. \u201cThis comprehensive and much-needed approach addresses New York&#8217;s housing challenges head-on. We extend our gratitude to Speaker Adrienne Adams, the City Council, First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer, City Planning Commission Chair Dan Garodnick, Governor Hochul, and City Hall for their unwavering leadership and commitment to delivering for New Yorkers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cUHAB applauds Speaker Adams and the City Council for reaching this milestone agreement. Zoning reform paired with comprehensive investments in our housing and infrastructure is the pathway to a livable and affordable New York,\u201d said <strong>Margy Brown, Executive Director of UHAB<\/strong>. \u201cIn this moment of crisis, we need to interrupt the devastating cycle of displacement for renters and reverse the chronic disinvestment in our housing stock. HDFC co-ops are a stable and affordable pathway to homeownership for the City&#8217;s working class families, providing homes for over 25,000 New Yorkers. We\u2019d like to thank the Council for focusing on preserving this key bloc of affordable homeownership and expanding it to offer opportunities to more low- and moderate-income households.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cVouchers are one of the immediate tools that help people out of homelessness, and we appreciate the Council&#8217;s consistent leadership on CityFHEPS, which includes securing commitments to the program in the overall City for All plan. Like many tools, CityFHEPS needs to be sharpened and maintained to continue working properly and efficiently,\u201d said <strong>Milton Perez, a leader with VOCAL-NY&#8217;s Homelessness Union<\/strong>. \u201cFor CityFHEPS to fully embody its acronym, City Fighting Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement, investments like these are needed. We look forward to pursuing additional fixes to the program alongside the Council and the Administration.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are thrilled to see the City Council\u2019s City for All plan draw such significant commitments, totaling $5 billion, which speaks volumes about our community&#8217;s dedication to tangible, progressive change,\u201d said <strong>Christine Quinn, President &amp; CEO of Win<\/strong>. \u201cThrough the City of Yes initiatives, we are moving towards increasing the housing supply and ensuring that it is fundamentally accessible to our most vulnerable New Yorkers. We are grateful to Chair of Land Use Rafael Salamanca Jr. and the entire Council for their unwavering dedication to making comprehensive reform possible and for leading efforts that bolster eligibility to programs like CityFHEPS and deepen affordability to meet the urgent needs of all our residents.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWith New York facing its worst housing crisis, it is imperative that we find solutions to address this ongoing issue. The $5 billion in commitments in the City for All plan is a great step towards protecting tenants from bad-actor landlords and helping New Yorkers in need,\u201d said <strong>Nick E. Smith, Executive Director of housing non-profit Communities Resist, and former First Deputy Public Advocate<\/strong>. \u201cI thank Speaker Adams and the City Council for these historic investments that will greatly benefit our communities.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTo truly address our housing crisis, we must collaborate, build coalitions, and wield a vast array of housing solutions,\u201d said <strong>Sabrina Lippman, CEO of Habitat for Humanity New York City and Westchester County<\/strong>. \u201cWe believe that the City for All housing proposal can work hand-in-hand with City of Yes to create a powerfully holistic plan to increase vital housing stock as well as create deeper affordability and affordable homeownership opportunities for working class New Yorkers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s no secret that the New York City area suffers from the largest housing deficit in the nation \u2013 greater than San Francisco, Chicago, and Boston combined,\u201d said <strong>Caroline Burton, Zillow VP and StreetEasy General Manager<\/strong>. \u201cWhile our city has grown over the past decades, new construction simply has not kept pace, creating one of the worst housing affordability crises in the nation. That crisis puts our thriving economy and job market at risk and drives out thousands of residents each year. The most effective long-term solution to lowering housing costs for New Yorkers is to create more housing at all levels. An issue this complex can only be tackled by a comprehensive package of solutions. Zoning reform, affordable housing development, infrastructure upgrades, and programs that support tenants and homeowners are critical steps in the right direction. We at StreetEasy and Zillow applaud the City Council for its efforts to improve the city\u2019s housing shortage through the City for All housing plan, along with its recent milestone passing of the FARE Act, which will meaningfully lower the upfront cost of moving in New York. Together, these efforts can help thousands of New Yorkers move and unlock supply for everyone \u2013 an issue hurting renters and the real estate industry alike.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We commend the Speaker and City Council for negotiating key components of the City for All initiative that will support the development of much-needed supportive and affordable housing. &#8220;We welcome the commitment to resolving issues related to NYC 15\/15 and the Justice-Involved Supportive Housing program, supported by $137 million in capital funding,\u201d said <strong>Pascale Leone, Executive Director, Supportive Housing Network of New York<\/strong>. \u201cThe inclusion of 200 new staff positions to strengthen housing agencies\u2019 capacity is a critical step toward addressing the housing crisis, enabling the Department of Housing Preservation and Development to expand its development, planning, and enforcement functions. We look forward to collaborating with the Council to ensure funds are allocated to serve New Yorkers with the lowest incomes and greatest needs.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe correlation between homelessness and housing scarcity is clear,\u201d said <strong>Salvatore D\u2019Avola, Executive Director, Neighborhood Restore HDFC<\/strong>. \u201cNew York City has an affordable housing crisis and any efforts to create more housing should be welcomed and encouraged. With the leadership and vision of Speaker Adams, the &#8220;City for All&#8221; principles will further address the City\u2019s shortcomings in creating new housing and will provide new opportunities for New Yorkers to live in decent affordable homes.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">###<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><em>Investments <\/em>w<em>ill strengthen affordability, homeownership, neighborhood infrastructure, tenant protections, agency capacity, and planning efforts while advancing zoning reforms to produce over 80,000 new homes<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>City Hall, NY<\/strong> \u2013 The New York City Council highlighted the $5 billion in commitments the Council secured for its <a href=\"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/2024\/11\/01\/2732\/\"><em>City for All<\/em><\/a> housing plan, as part of <a>its<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/2024\/11\/21\/2752\/\">agreement<\/a> on the Zoning for Housing Opportunity (ZHO) citywide zoning text amendment.<\/p>\n<p>&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><strong><small><a href=\"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/2024\/11\/25\/2758\/\">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-2758","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2758","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=2758"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2758\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2758"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2758"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2758"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}