REMARKS
Speaker Adams addresses the housing crisis and zoning reform proposal
0:13:00
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4 min
Speaker Adrienne E. Adams addresses the New York City Council subcommittee on zoning and franchises, discussing the severe housing crisis in the city and the proposed City of Yes for Housing Opportunity zoning reform. She emphasizes the need for holistic solutions to address the diverse housing needs of New Yorkers, beyond just zoning reform.
- Highlights the current housing crisis, including low vacancy rates, high median home values, and record levels of homelessness
- Stresses the importance of updating city zoning while acknowledging that zoning reform alone cannot fully address housing needs
- Calls for a comprehensive approach including deeper affordability, expanded homeownership opportunities, strengthened tenant protections, and community investments
Adrienne E. Adams
0:13:00
Thank you very much, Chair Riley, and good morning, everyone.
0:13:03
I thank our chair for leading today's public meeting of the council's subcommittee on zoning and franchise is on the Department of City Planning, City of Yes, for housing opportunities citywide zoning reform proposal.
0:13:15
And thank you, director Garodnik.
0:13:16
It's great to see you.
0:13:17
It's great to see you also commissioner Carreon and everyone who has joined us today.
0:13:23
New Yorkers in every neighborhood need access to safe, stable, and affordable homes.
0:13:30
Housing is key to building a stronger and healthier city, economically stable communities, and expanding opportunities for all New Yorkers.
0:13:40
But our city is currently in the midst of a severe housing crisis that is squeezing out working in middle class families who are already on the brink.
0:13:51
New Yorkers are struggling to afford to stay in their neighborhoods due to increasing costs, and they lack the necessary support to remain in the city they love.
0:14:01
New Yorkers are facing a confluence of pressures that are undermining the stability of our communities.
0:14:07
With a city wide housing vacancy rate of just 1.4%, that is even lower for the most affordable homes and the median home value in New York City near $700,000 it is clear that there is an overall lack of housing, affordable homes, housing security, and homeownership opportunities.
0:14:30
All these and various other issues must be addressed to help get us out of this crisis.
0:14:37
Homelessness in our city has soared to record levels in recent years with an estimated 350,000 people without homes.
0:14:47
Evictions have risen and there is widespread housing insecurity among residents as rents remain high with more and more rent and burden neighbor neighbors emerging.
0:14:59
All of these factors are contributing to New York's housing crisis, and they will only worsen unless we advance holistic housing solutions.
0:15:08
Today, we are examining the Department of City Planning's City of Yes for Housing Opportunity zoning reform proposal, which was put forward with the intention of allowing for the creation of more homes.
0:15:21
We recognize the importance of updating the city zoning from the last major change decades ago to help contribute towards addressing the current housing needs in our city.
0:15:31
We look forward to discussing these proposed changes during this meeting and tomorrow's hearing.
0:15:38
At the same time, this council knows that zoning reform alone cannot fully address the wide ranging housing needs of New Yorkers.
0:15:48
Zoning reform is one important component, but New Yorkers also need deeper affordability, expanded pathways to affordable home ownership, strengthened tenant protections, the removal of barriers to housing vouchers, investments in their neighborhoods, and more.
0:16:07
To truly confront this housing crisis and meet the diverse needs of our constituents, we must advance holistic solutions at the scale of the of the challenges facing New Yorkers.
0:16:19
As the council reviews this zoning reform proposal, we will also prioritize a thorough housing plan with concrete actions and investments needed by people and neighborhoods across our entire city.
0:16:33
We desperately need the creation of new housing, but also a focus on the pillars that serve the housing needs of New Yorkers.
0:16:41
And we must do this in partnership with members of our community and all stakeholders.
0:16:47
At today's public meeting, I look forward to hearing more from the administration regarding its zoning proposal and how we can work towards securing holistic solutions for our diverse communities in Citi.
0:16:59
Thank you very much, chair once again.
0:17:01
And now I turn it over to our land use chair, counsel member Raphael Salamanca.
