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REMARKS
Commissioner Anthony Richardson on affordable housing as essential for New York's future
0:16:38
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3 min
Commissioner Anthony Richardson discusses how New York City's housing crisis threatens its diversity and competitiveness.
He argues that to achieve new results in housing, the city must adopt new methods.
He supports the proposed changes to the land use process because they remove disincentives for building affordable housing and encourage a wider range of developers to help address the crisis.
Anthony Richardson
0:16:38
Good afternoon.
0:16:40
Although I was not born and raised here, New York City has been my home since I graduated from college.
0:16:47
As such, my friends and family tell me that I'm a legitimate New Yorker.
0:16:52
While it can be debated generally exactly how that legitimacy is earned or defined, there are nonetheless more than 8,000,000 people that wear this same title.
0:17:04
The city with its history, dynamism, and distinct boroughs presents a captivating opportunity for recreation, career advancement, and civic engagement.
0:17:15
One could argue that its ethnic and socioeconomic diversity is almost rivaled by none other.
0:17:21
Yet a city as complex as this does contain some underlying formidable challenges to its ongoing competitiveness.
0:17:29
I'm convinced that the lack of housing and affordable housing in particular is near the top of that list.
0:17:36
The creation and preservation of affordable housing is a daunting task, yet it has provided me with some of the most rewarding experiences of my professional life.
0:17:47
As a former government official, I can appreciate the robust infrastructure of approvals that a city this complex should require.
0:17:55
Simultaneously, I believe there is credence in the saying that if you want new results, you can't rely on the same methods.
0:18:03
While it is not conclusive that the exact same results are the product, it is conceivable that there cannot be significant change in result without some corresponding significant change to methods.
0:18:16
New Yorkers are New York City's greatest assets, retaining them and giving them a platform from which they can achieve and progress.
0:18:24
Is the task that is before us in this process we have heard from them in great number and testimony.
0:18:31
I have been heartened by the passion with which all the perspectives have been shared.
0:18:36
The experience was both exhausting at times, but definitely exhaustive as well of all the facets of the issues, Whether it was land use, voter participation, environmental sustainability, nonprofit procurement, or the civilian complaint review board, New Yorkers showed that they care greatly.
0:18:58
Thank you to everyone who took the time to testify.
0:19:01
My sincere appreciation is also extended to Alec and staff for their outstanding support of this commission.
0:19:07
Your professionalism and compassion left nothing to be desired.
0:19:11
Further, I'm thankful to this chair, vice chair, and the other commissioners for your contributions of time and talent.
0:19:19
To be clear, I support the proposals to alter the land use process because I believe that disincentives to support affordable housing should not exist, because I believe that we need developers, both well resourced and those who continue to emerge as partners to help address this crisis, and because I believe the people of this city deserve more and they deserve more now.
0:19:44
I look forward to giving New Yorkers a chance to register their position on the matters.
0:19:50
I thank you all for allowing me to be a part of this important process.
0:19:55
Thank you.
0:19:56
I have