AGENCY TESTIMONY
New York City's housing crisis and the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity plan
0:07:53
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74 sec
Kim Darga addresses New York City's severe housing crisis and introduces the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity plan as a solution. This citywide text amendment aims to increase housing in every neighborhood while respecting local character.
- City of Yes plan includes universal affordability preference and office-to-residential conversion promotion
- Recognizes differences between neighborhoods and proposes tailored reforms
- ADUs are highlighted as particularly important for lower-density communities
Kim Darga
0:07:53
As the council knows, New York City is suffering from a severe housing crisis that is generations in the making.
0:07:59
The effects are felt in every single neighborhood by New Yorkers from every single walk of life.
0:08:06
City of YES for housing opportunity, a citywide text amendment currently being considered by the council, aims to tackle this crisis by building a little bit more housing in every neighborhood across the city.
0:08:19
The plan has many components from the universal affordability preference, which will be the largest affordable housing program in the history of US zoning, to changes that promote office to residential conversion.
0:08:32
As deputy commissioner for development, but really as a New Yorker, I love the differences between every borough and every neighborhood in our city.
0:08:40
Importantly, City of YES recognizes those differences and knows that not every community in the city can be treated the same.
0:08:47
We do not want a monolithic city.
0:08:49
City of YES proposes tailored reforms that match the look and feel of New York's diverse neighborhoods.
0:08:56
Today, we're here to discuss an aspect of CityBS that is particularly important in lower density communities, accessory dwelling units, including basement and cellar apartments.
