New York City Mayor Adam’s “City of Yes” plan to increase housing supply is only one final council vote away from implementation. However, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams expressed concerns that the plan fails to address the issue of unaffordable housing or effectively meet other community needs, making it difficult to garner enough support in the council.
The “City of Yes” plan aims to encourage housing development by significantly easing land use restrictions in the hopes of alleviating housing shortages. The plan was approved by the City Planning Commission last month and is set for a final council vote later this year.
Speaker Adams released a statement on the 8th, stating that the relaxation of land use restrictions in the “City of Yes” plan is just one important factor in addressing housing shortages, not a housing plan. Even with additional housing, affordability for residents is not guaranteed, failing to meet the housing needs of a large portion of New York City residents, which makes it hard to gain sufficient support in the council. Therefore, she mentioned that the council will first draft a “Housing Action Plan” to ensure housing affordability, strengthen tenant protections, and expand eligibility for low-income tenants to receive housing vouchers before voting on the “City of Yes.”
The council is scheduled to hold a public meeting on October 21st regarding the “City of Yes” plan, where many council members are expected to question city officials and Adams face-to-face. A second meeting on the 22nd will allow the public to voice their opposition. The plan continues to face opposition from many communities who believe it will significantly reduce their quality of life.
Although the government estimates that if the “City of Yes” plan is implemented, it could kickstart the construction of 58,000 to 109,000 new housing units over the next 15 years. However, Adams is currently under federal investigation and indictment, with several top officials in her inner circle resigning or seeking to leave, raising doubts about the plan’s continuity.