Backers of Mayor Eric Adams’ “City of Yes” housing plan are mounting a closing blitz to attempt to stress the Metropolis Council into approving the zoning overhaul — they usually’re going straight to New Yorkers with it.
The housing plan — the proposed first main change to town’s zoning guidelines since 1961 that will enable builders to create tens of 1000’s of recent houses — will face a collection of key votes beginning later this week.
However the measure, a cornerstone of the Adams administration, faces heavy opposition amongst members of the Metropolis Council. Most of the foes have been vocal with their criticisms, together with Councilman Bob Holden, who mentioned town needs to be upgrading its failing infrastructure as an alternative.
“The last thing we should be doing is pushing forward a rushed plan that most community boards and countless civic associations oppose,” the Queens Democrat mentioned earlier this fall.
Proponents are shifting ahead anyway, saying in a latest press launch that advocates, unions and metropolis leaders will maintain occasions, put out advertisements and put up fliers at subway stops to encourage New Yorkers to push for the plan, which might construct reasonably priced housing all through the 5 boroughs.
One such occasion shall be held Monday at Metropolis Corridor Park in Decrease Manhattan, organizers mentioned Sunday.
“Nearly two weeks following an election where New Yorkers clearly laid out the need for more housing and a solution to the affordability crisis, supporters of ‘City of Yes for Housing Opportunity’ are calling on city leaders to advance the proposal to deliver homes New Yorkers need and can afford,” organizers mentioned in a press release.
Different advocates, resembling “Da Homeless Hero” Shams DaBaron, echoed the sentiment.
“The housing crisis affects everyone in New York — and every community must play a role,” he mentioned within the assertion. “If we do not build more homes, we will build more homeless shelters.”
“‘City of Yes’ is the solution we’ve been looking for: a little more housing everywhere that adds up to a lot more affordability for New Yorkers,” he continued.
“When housing goes up, rents go down — and we all win. We must pass this visionary plan.”
The measure would offer a “bonus” to builders to construct 20% larger — so long as the added area is devoted to extra reasonably priced, lower-than-market-rate models.
It could additionally let builders create extra residences round transit hubs and atop industrial strips, let owners assemble smaller residences in basements, garages and attics, and make it simpler to transform empty workplace towers into livable houses.
The council’s land use committee will vote on the proposal Thursday — with the complete Metropolis Council anticipated to vote on it Dec. 5.
