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Albany Legislative Update:
Albany Budget Update
Affordable Housing
CITY OF YES
To read more details about the City of Yes, click HERE
The City of Yes Housing Opportunity Update
NYC Council’s zoning committee voted to approve a modified version of the plan after securing the last-minute funding demands from the Mayor. The final vote is expected on December 5.
Mayor Eric Adams and the City Council have agreed to a deal on the "City of Yes," a major zoning proposal that would spur more housing construction throughout the five boroughs. As part of the agreement, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams secured $5 billion from Mayor Adams to pay for the council’s housing priorities, which include funding for affordable housing construction, housing affordability and homeownership programs, infrastructure upgrades and increased staffing in relevant city agencies.
In addition, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced after the meeting that she has committed $1 billion to help the city fund the investments contained in the agreement.
Modified Proposal:
- $5B toward affordable housing and infrastructure projects
- Created a tired system for parking mandates
- Limit new units in flood zones
- Deeper affordable housing requirements
- Create 80,000 units of housing (reduced from 108,000) over 15 years
- One of the changes was made to a proposal allowing developers to build at least 20% more housing as long as it is affordable, a policy known as “Universal Affordability Preference” (UAP). Under the change, builders constructing projects of 10,000 square feet or more with UAP would need to make that additional affordable housing available at 40% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
Takeaway: The three zones of varying parking rules preserve parking requirements in many outer-borough areas, limiting housing growth in single-family districts. Supporters praised the effort to address NYC's housing crisis, while critics argue the plan compromises too much, prioritizing "neighborhood character" over citywide housing needs and already dense areas will bear the burden of increased housing.
Read sourced articles here:
- Analysis: Mayor Gets the ‘W,’ But Council Turns His Zoning Plan into ‘City Of Yes … Sort Of’
- Altered City of Yes Housing plan passes 2 key City Council committees despite some vocal objections
- Mayor Adams, NYC Council strike last-minute deal on sweeping housing plan amid historic crisis
- City Of Yes’ Housing Plan Moves Forward
next stop: community boards, New York Daily News article , April 2024
City of Yes, proposal by Mayor Adams
CONGESTION PRICING SECTION:
LOCAL VILLAGE ISSUES
‘I’m a warrior’: In new book, Tom Fox tells the story of the struggle to create Hudson River Park, Village Sun article, May 2024
Politicians push state to hold firm vs. titanic 5G towers, Village Sun article March, 2024
BIKES!
NYC Elections
For 2024 Election Information, click HERE
For VID candidates endorsement info, click HERE
NY History
In celebration of Black History Month, NY1 presents, Harlem's History: Past & Present.
Click HERE for episode link
Black Gotham Experience Tours explore Black influence in colonial-era NYC
NYC - Policy
Education
Environmental Issues
For more information see the VID Environmental Committee Reports HERE.
Healthcare and Hospitals
Casinos
City Council Sidelines Community Input for Casino Developments by Passing Controversial Zoning Bill
Community Board News
Levine Shakes up CB5, article
Sanitation
New trash bins in NYC, NYT article, March 2024
"What Does a Secretary of State Do?"
The Conversation article February, 2024
Manhattan Democratic Party
"Will Manhattan Democratic Party boss Keith Wright start a political dynasty or trigger a rebellion?" Wright’s son is running to represent the 70th Assembly District, and the primary election could become a proxy battle for Wright’s rivals in the county party. City & State article, May 202