‘City of Yes’ Rezoning Plan Clears Key Council Panel
Aims to Tackle NYC's Worst Housing Crisis in 50 Years
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has reached a historic agreement with lawmakers to address the city’s severe housing shortage, unveiling an ambitious plan to create 80,000 new homes. The breakthrough came after the city and state pledged a combined $5 billion for affordable housing and critical infrastructure.
The rezoning initiative, known as the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, passed a crucial hurdle on Thursday when a key City Council subcommittee approved it. The vote, delayed for over six hours as council members debated adjustments, marks a critical step in combating the city’s most severe housing crisis in half a century.
The plan was bolstered by the Adams administration’s commitment of $4 billion, complemented by an eleventh-hour promise from Governor Kathy Hochul to secure an additional $1 billion in next year’s state budget. The funds will support the construction of affordable housing, enhance sewer systems, strengthen flood protection, and fund other infrastructure improvements.
“Thanks to our shared commitment to building desperately needed housing, we have reached an agreement on a transformative plan that could create more housing opportunities in every neighborhood of our city — without leaving any borough, block, or backyard behind,” Mayor Adams said in a statement.
The rezoning proposal now advances to a full City Council vote in December, where it is widely expected to pass.
City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, who is not related to the mayor, played a pivotal role in securing the plan's approval. “Today marks an important step toward addressing the housing crisis that is pricing working- and middle-class New Yorkers out of their neighborhoods,” she said in a statement.
This development is a notable victory for Mayor Adams, whose administration has faced mounting challenges, including his indictment on federal corruption charges in September and declining approval ratings. Despite his diminished public role in advocating for the rezoning, the effort was successfully shepherded through months of community meetings and presentations by City Planning Department Director Dan Garodnick.
If approved in December, the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity will represent a significant step toward addressing New York City’s housing crisis and making the city more livable for residents of all income levels.
Aims to Tackle NYC's Worst Housing Crisis in 50 Years
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has reached a historic agreement with lawmakers to address the city’s severe housing shortage, unveiling an ambitious plan to create 80,000 new homes. The breakthrough came after the city and state pledged a combined $5 billion for affordable housing and critical infrastructure.
The rezoning initiative, known as the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, passed a crucial hurdle on Thursday when a key City Council subcommittee approved it. The vote, delayed for over six hours as council members debated adjustments, marks a critical step in combating the city’s most severe housing crisis in half a century.
The plan was bolstered by the Adams administration’s commitment of $4 billion, complemented by an eleventh-hour promise from Governor Kathy Hochul to secure an additional $1 billion in next year’s state budget. The funds will support the construction of affordable housing, enhance sewer systems, strengthen flood protection, and fund other infrastructure improvements.
“Thanks to our shared commitment to building desperately needed housing, we have reached an agreement on a transformative plan that could create more housing opportunities in every neighborhood of our city — without leaving any borough, block, or backyard behind,” Mayor Adams said in a statement.
The rezoning proposal now advances to a full City Council vote in December, where it is widely expected to pass.
City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, who is not related to the mayor, played a pivotal role in securing the plan's approval. “Today marks an important step toward addressing the housing crisis that is pricing working- and middle-class New Yorkers out of their neighborhoods,” she said in a statement.
This development is a notable victory for Mayor Adams, whose administration has faced mounting challenges, including his indictment on federal corruption charges in September and declining approval ratings. Despite his diminished public role in advocating for the rezoning, the effort was successfully shepherded through months of community meetings and presentations by City Planning Department Director Dan Garodnick.
If approved in December, the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity will represent a significant step toward addressing New York City’s housing crisis and making the city more livable for residents of all income levels.