New York City to use city land in massive housing expansion

Jack Aylmer

NEW YORK CITY MAYOR ERIC ADAMS IS TAKING A BOLD STEP TO TACKLE AN ONGOING AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS. WITH A RENTAL VACANCY RATE OF JUST 1.4 PERCENT, ADAMS IS ISSUING AN EXECUTIVE ORDER, REQUIRING ALL CITY AGENCIES FROM THE NYPD TO THE PARKS DEPARTMENT TO LOOK FOR CITY-CONTROLLED LAND THAT COULD BE TRANSFORMED INTO MUCH-NEEDED HOUSING.

THIS IS ALL PART OF A BROADER INITIATIVE BY THE ADAMS ADMINISTRATION, WHICH IS TARGETING THE CREATION OF 500-THOUSAND NEW HOMES BY 2032. MAYOR ADAMS EMPHASIZED THAT HIS ADMINISTRATION IS LEAVING ‘NO STONE UNTURNED’ IN THE QUEST TO ALLEVIATE THE HOUSING SHORTAGE. PROJECTS LIKE A RECENT REZONING IN THE BRONX WILL YIELD ABOUT 7,000 NEW HOMES, ONE THOUSAND- 700 OF WHICH WILL BE BELOW MARKET RATE.

THE EXECUTIVE ORDER ALSO ESTABLISHES A TASK FORCE THAT WILL ASSESS CITY-CONTROLLED LAND FOR HOUSING POTENTIAL AND PROVIDE GUIDELINES FOR AGENCIES TO SUPPORT HOUSING PRODUCTION.

CITY HALL IS EMPHASIZING ITS COMMITMENT TO MEET THESE GOALS, WITH OFFICIALS SAYING THEY’LL EXPLORE EVERY OPTION, FROM GARAGES TO LIBRARIES, IN ORDER TO DELIVER ON THEIR PLEDGE TO BUILD HALF A MILLION HOMES BY 2032.

WE’LL KEEP AN EYE ON HOW THESE PLANS DEVELOP. – AND YOU CAN TOO. DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP – AND SIGN UP FOR UPDATES SO YOU NEVER MISS A STORY