New York City Mayor and the City Planning Commission are pushing forward the final chapter of the urban renewal project “City of Yes” trilogy, titled “Housing Opportunity.” This initiative aims to increase the number of housing units in low-density communities by amending the citywide zoning text, leading to discontent among residents in single-family and two-family communities.
Recently, the NYC Department of City Planning (DCP) responded to inquiries from The Epoch Times, stating that even if the amendments are passed, the decision to construct housing in communities will depend on market demand, rather than immediate construction.
Joe Marvilli, Deputy Press Secretary of DCP, mentioned in a response letter that zoning is just one tool for building homes and not all areas zoned for construction will actually see buildings erected. He emphasized that zoning is a slow process and simply legalizing zoning does not mean anything can be built there.
Marvilli pointed out that there is a common misunderstanding among the public regarding zoning, often mixing up the intended function of the zoning with the actual construction process. He highlighted that housing development is a complex process involving financing, property acquisition, contracting, obtaining building permits, and ultimately selling or renting units, all dependent on the market demand within each community.
The “City of Yes” trilogy consists of “Carbon Neutrality,” “Economic Opportunity,” and “Housing Opportunity.” “Carbon Neutrality” was the first proposal passed by the city council, and the modified version of “Economic Opportunity” was also passed by the council in early June.
The background for the “Housing Opportunity” initiative is set against a housing vacancy rate of 1.41% in New York City, the lowest level since 1968. Housing shortage has led to high rents, racial segregation, gentrification, housing instability, homelessness, among other issues.
According to housing production data from 2023, out of 59 communities in NYC, 10 communities had the same number of housing units as the other 49 communities.
Marvilli stated that “Housing Opportunity” aims to rectify this imbalance by increasing housing in every community throughout NYC, addressing areas that saw little to no new housing in 2023 due to strict zoning regulations.
“This will create the needed housing without causing significant changes in any one community. Through ‘City of Yes for Housing Opportunity,’ we aim to build over 100,000 housing units citywide over the next 15 years, making a significant impact,” wrote Marvilli in the response letter.
After the proposal for Housing Opportunity was unveiled, concerns were raised by residents of single-family and two-family communities in Queens and Brooklyn. This newspaper also extensively covered the discontent among residents of Jamaica Estate and urban planning consultant Paul Graziano’s analysis of the proposal.
On May 31st, dozens of residents from Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, the Bronx, and Manhattan gathered at City Hall Garden to oppose the City of Yes initiative.
New York State Assembly Member Jaime Williams, representing Southern Brooklyn, expressed concerns that the initiative would harm residential areas, and Steve Barrison, Executive Vice President of the Small Business Council and President of the Sheepshead Bay Improvement Organization, stated that NYC can build millions of housing units even without the zoning text amendments.
On April 29th, the “Housing Opportunity” proposal officially entered the public review process of the NYC Council. That day, Mayor Adams and City Planning Commission Chair Dan Garodnick, alongside supporters, rallied at City Hall steps in support of the proposal.
In a statement, Mayor Adams emphasized, “For too long, NYC has been dictated by those saying ‘no.’ In my administration, we will proudly say ‘yes’—yes, to building more affordable housing in backyards, communities, and neighborhoods.”
Chair Garodnick added, “Now is the time to take action against the housing crisis in NYC. By building more housing units in every community, we can pave the way for a more affordable future for the city.”