Introduction to the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity – A little bit more housing

Journey With Purpose

Explore how New York City is tackling its dire housing shortage through a citywide incremental approach. We breakdown what’s in the City of Yes proposal, and listen to some critiques.

• LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE:
• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify

Episode Overview

1. Purpose of Proposal: The “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity” seeks to address New York City’s acute housing shortage by amending zoning and land use regulations to increase housing production, especially in lower-density areas of the city like Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, and parts of the Bronx.
2. Zoning Text Changes: The proposal focuses on changing the zoning text, not the zoning map, aiming to slightly upzone parts of the city without altering existing district classifications.
3. Historical Context: Compared to earlier decades of the 20th century, New York City’s housing production has significantly declined, failing to keep up with job and population growth.
4. Diverse Housing Types: The plan emphasizes diversifying housing types by allowing accessory dwelling units, and converting non-residential buildings to residential, thereby creating more affordable and supportive housing.
5. Citywide Proposals: Key citywide initiatives include lifting parking mandates, enabling office to residential conversions, and legalizing small accessory dwelling units.
6. Focus on Shared and Small Housing: The proposal supports building housing with shared kitchens and facilities, reflecting changes in household sizes and living arrangements.
7. Community and Transit-Oriented Development: It encourages development in “town centers” and near transit stations, advocating for the construction of mixed-use buildings and modestly denser housing.
8. Affordability Measures: A “universal affordability preference” offers incentives to developers to include permanently affordable units in new developments.
9. Pushback and Concerns: There’s concern from community groups about the cumulative effects of seemingly small changes leading to substantial increases in allowable development size.
10. Process and Public Involvement: The proposal is undergoing a review process involving community boards, borough presidents, and the City Council, with ample opportunity for public input.

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Show notes & links

• City of Yes Housing Opportunity overview
• City of Yes for Housing Opportunity DCP page
• Video: City of Yes for Housing Opportunity: Public Information Session

“We’re not creating enough housing, and the housing we are creating is concentrated in just a few areas of the city.”

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