PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Guillermo Gomez, Representative of Urban Design Forum
5:36:36
·
118 sec
Guillermo Gomez, representing the Urban Design Forum, expresses strong support for the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity proposal. He argues that the plan aligns with the Forum's priorities and has the potential to address New York City's housing crisis through various measures such as office conversions, lifting parking mandates, and promoting transit-oriented development.
- The Urban Design Forum is a nonprofit with 1000 civic leaders focused on improving New York City
- Key proposals supported include easier office-to-residential conversions, eliminating parking mandates, legalizing accessory dwelling units, and promoting transit-oriented development
- While supportive, Gomez notes that additional measures like funding for deeply affordable housing and tenant protections are also necessary
Guillermo Gomez
5:36:36
Good afternoon.
5:36:37
My name is Guillermo Gomez.
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I'm speaking today on behalf of Urban Design Forum to express our support for city events for housing opportunity.
5:36:43
New York City's housing crisis demands bold action.
5:36:45
Our current zoning laws are outdated, restricting housing in areas with excellent transit and job opportunities and perpetuate ratio and economic segregation.
5:36:53
Pared with incentives and subsidy for deeply affordable housing, city of yes for housing opportunity has the potential to address this crisis head on.
5:36:59
At Urban Design Forum, a member power nonprofit over 1000 civic leaders.
5:37:03
We work to connect and inspire New Yorkers design, build, and care for a better city.
5:37:07
We've consistently tackled issues like housing affordability and homelessness, drawing on the expertise of leaders in community planning, design and development.
5:37:14
Several key proposals in CDBS plan align with our priorities.
5:37:17
1st, CDBS will allow easier conversions of underutilized office buildings, boosting our housing stock, revitalizing street level activity, and promoting reuse of existing structures, reduce construction waste.
5:37:28
2nd, we can lift parking mandates and join cities like Buffalo and San Francisco that have already eliminated these requirements.
5:37:34
Development project can prioritize much needed housing units over oftentimes unneeded extra parking on-site, which can make projects more feasible and reduce rents.
5:37:42
3rd, City of US could support the creation of many housing options for our most vulnerable New Yorkers.
5:37:47
We'll legalize granny flats to help older adults age in place, create pathways for safe regulated basement apartments, which are critical, but often very vulnerable housing options.
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And streamline the development of supportive housing for those at risk or experiencing homelessness.
5:38:02
Finally, promoting transit oriented development will ensure that new housing is built where people can access public transit, reducing car dependency, and supporting climate forward healthier communities.
5:38:11
While all these proposals are important, they're also incremental modest, increasing housing numbers city wide rather than than concentrating in specific neighborhoods.
5:38:18
CityBS cannot address this crisis alone, so we encourage the city to also continue to seek ways to fund deeply affordable housing, maintain our public housing, and support tenant protections.
5:38:27
Urban Design form urges the city council to adopt CDBS as a key step toward a more equitable and fair in New York City.
5:38:33
Thank you so much.
