REMARKS
Council Member Sanchez explains proposed introductions for voting
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3 min
Council Member Pierina Ana Sanchez, chair of the Committee on Housing and Buildings, provides an overview of four proposed introductions up for voting. She explains the purpose and key aspects of each bill, including extensions to the J-51 tax abatement program, a pilot program for legalizing basement and cellar apartments, requirements for ancillary dwelling units, and a reporting requirement for HPD on city property disposition for affordable housing.
- Intro 654-A extends the J-51 tax abatement program for certain residential buildings
- Intro 1127-A establishes a pilot program to legalize basement and cellar dwelling units
- Intro 1128-A sets eligibility and design requirements for ancillary dwelling units
- Intro 858-A requires HPD to report on city property disposition for affordable housing
Pierina Ana Sanchez
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Thank you, sergeants.
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Good morning.
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I am council member Pirinha Sanchez, chair of the committee on housing and buildings.
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Today, we are voting on proposed intro number 654 a in relation to the abatement of taxation for alterations and improvements to certain multiple dwellings, intro 1127 a in relation to establishing a pilot program to convert existing basement or seller apartments to habitable dwelling units, and intro 1128 a, in relation to the construction of ancillary dwelling units, all sponsored by me, and proposed number 858, sponsored by council member Rafael Salamanca, in relation to requiring the Department of Housing, Preservation, and Development to report on the disposition of city property for affordable housing.
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I'm proud to have championed 654, which would extend the j 51 tax abatement program, a critical preservation tool that okay.
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Sorry.
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A critical preservation tool that offsets improvement costs completed after June 29, 2022, and before June 30, 2026, for low to moderate cost residential buildings.
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Eligible buildings are condos and co ops where the average assessed valuation is under 45,000 per dwelling units and rental buildings where one of 3 conditions is met.
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1, where more than half the units are affordable 2, are operated by a limited profit housing company.
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Or 3, that receive substantial government assistance.
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In co ops in particular, this bill could save 166,000 families across the city 1,000 of dollars each year, while enabling these buildings to comply with the ambitious and necessary climate goals that New York City has.
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In addition to the prioritization of energy efficiency work, this iteration of j51 also adds tenant protections and data transparency to understand the full reach of the program.
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Next, intro number 1127A would establish a pilot program to legalize basement and cellar dwelling units in certain community districts.
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Building owners would be able to apply for an authorization for temporary residents for units that existed prior to April 20, 2024.
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HPD would be required to provide technical assistance and outreach to owners of eligible base or seller residences.
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Tenants who resided in the basements or seller units on April 20, 2024 would have a right of first refusal to return to such units upon its first occupancy.
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Meanwhile, number intro number 1128 a would set forth the eligibility and design requirements for ancillary dwelling units in 1 or 2 family homes, including garages and basements.
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Specifically, this bill would require ADUs to be up to code by assuring that they have proper heating, ventilation, electric electrical, gas, and emergency service systems.
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Basement ADUs, specifically, would need to have at least one means of egress, and seller ADUs required to have at least 2 means of egress.
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These bills are companion bills to the City of YES tax amendments that we are considering today.
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Finally, proposed intro 858A 850A, excuse me, by Council Member Salamanca would require the Department of Housing Preservation and Development to submit periodic reports to the council regarding city financed affordable housing projects involving the disposition of city property.
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In doing so, this bill will serve as an important transparency tool, ensuring that the public understand how the city is living up to its commitments to finance certain affordable housing and dispose of certain properties, and what the reasons are for closing delays.
