PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Sachi Takahashi, Board Member of Open New York
13:50:34
·
95 sec
Sachi Takahashi, a board member of Open New York and Manhattan CB Five member, spoke in support of the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity proposal. She emphasized the critical need for this citywide solution to address New York's housing crisis.
- Strongly endorsed the Universal Affordability Preference for creating permanent affordable housing
- Supported allowing office-to-residential conversions, particularly beneficial for Midtown
- Praised the policy allowing landmarks to transfer air rights more flexibly
Sachi Takahashi
13:50:34
Thank you so much.
13:50:35
My name is Sachi.
13:50:36
I live in Manhattan.
13:50:37
I'm on the board of open New York, a nonprofit pro housing organization that advocates for more housing throughout the state.
13:50:44
I serve on Manhattan CB Five.
13:50:46
I'm a renter.
13:50:47
I am a nonprofit professional, and I'm speaking in my capacity as an individual, not on behalf of CB Five or any other group.
13:50:54
We've heard it said many, many times today that New York is in a housing crisis and the city of yes for housing opportunity is a critical city wide solution.
13:51:03
I support the entire policy package and the city of yes for housing opportunity And in particular, the universal affordability preference since it creates permanent and affordable housing and works hand in hand with state tax breaks to bring more housing and especially more affordable housing to our community I also especially support allowing office to residential conversion.
13:51:24
I spend most of my time in Midtown, which is an area that would really benefit from having this option.
13:51:28
And again, this policy works hand in hand with the state's program to pay for affordable housing in office residential conversions.
13:51:35
But the city needs to pass these zoning changes so that we can take advantage of these benefits and get new affordable housing in our community.
13:51:42
I also think the policy for landmarks to be able to transfer air rights more flexibly is also really smart.
13:51:48
It's a best practice that marries the goals of historic preservation with the evolving needs of a community and the evolving financial needs of our historic institutions.
13:51:57
Thank you so much for your time and consideration of these policies that make sure New York City isn't just the best city in the world, but also that it's accessible and inclusive for anyone who wants to live here.
13:52:08
Thank you.
