PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Rachel Fee, Executive Director of New York Housing Conference on City of Yes for Housing Opportunity
1:31:32
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119 sec
Rachel Fee, Executive Director of New York Housing Conference, testified in strong support of the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity proposal. She emphasized that the proposal is long overdue and will help address the affordable housing crisis in New York City by increasing housing supply and creating more affordable housing opportunities.
- Fee highlighted that the proposal would allow for more affordable housing through the Universal Affordability Preference and generate new homeownership opportunities in low-density neighborhoods.
- She urged the city council to pass the proposal in its entirety, emphasizing the importance of including ADUs and removing parking requirements.
- Fee also called for increased capital commitments and more rental assistance to further enhance the impact of the zoning reforms on affordability.
Rachel Fee
1:31:32
Good morning, Chair Riley, and members of the city council.
1:31:35
My name is Rachel Fee.
1:31:36
I'm Executive Director of the New York Housing Conference.
1:31:39
We lead the yes to housing coalition a group of nearly a 150 organizations united in support of the city of yes for housing opportunity.
1:31:47
Thank you for this opportunity to testify today.
1:31:51
I've worked in affordable housing in New York City for 20 years.
1:31:54
And I can tell you with certainty that this proposal is long overdue and that it will help our affordable housing crisis.
1:32:02
Adding housing supply can help slow rising rents.
1:32:06
More affordable housing can be built with the universal affordability preference And in the low density neighborhoods, affordable rental housing, and also new homeownership opportunities will be generated with the 485x tax abatement.
1:32:21
Even commercial conversions combined with a tax incentive will include affordable housing.
1:32:27
All of this will add up to meaningful action on housing supply that is desperately needed.
1:32:34
Our New York City housing tracker data shows that last year, the top 10 producing city council districts each added 600 units or more of affordable housing.
1:32:45
Meanwhile, the lowest producing districts added 0 to 10 units.
1:32:51
City of Yass will ensure that every part of this city contributes to solving the crisis.
1:32:57
I urge the city council to pass this proposal in its entirety with minimal modifications.
1:33:03
We can't afford to leave out ADUs which can add 40,000 units or to maintain parking requirements that are draft driving up construction costs.
1:33:13
Additionally, increased capital commitments and more rental assistance can further enhance the significant impact we expect zoning or forms to have on affordability.
1:33:25
It's time to meet the urgent needs of today and ensure a better tomorrow for all New Yorkers.
1:33:31
Thank you.
