Before the City Fast-Tracks Development, Communities Deserve a Voice
New York’s City Planning Department has identified a “fast track” list of 12 community districts where the least amount of new affordable housing has been built in the last five years. As a result, the approval process for new development will be sped up, hoping to create more affordable housing faster.
This is part of the Mayor’s plan for 700,000 new housing units over the next 10 years. That is the equivalent of adding the entire city of Philadelphia.
The implication is that the 12 community districts have turned down proposals for affordable projects. The “fast track” proposal neglects the reality that developers mainly want to produce market-rate housing and that the City has offered several incentives for them to do that.
The Upper East and West Sides of Manhattan are on the “fast track” list, despite having many currently affordable units and also being the densest areas in the City. They also contain historic districts, which will now face extreme development pressure.
There has been little coverage, and even less analysis, in the media.
Council Member Gale Brewer, a longtime proponent of affordable housing, represents the Upper West Side. “Throughout my career in the City Council, and as Manhattan Borough President, I’ve always stood for increasing and preserving affordable housing stock.” Brewer wrote, “But I opposed this Charter change last year, and it’s bad policy now.”
An excerpt from her recent newsletter contains the entire list of the 12 districts and a fact-filled rebuttal we encourage you to read in full.
As she points out:
- All but two of the new buildings her office surveyed contained 100% luxury units.
- Community Board 7 had a net loss of 15,442 rent-stabilized units over 15 years.
- There is little land left for new construction.
- The West Side contains NYCHA units, temporary supportive housing, SROs, and subsidized housing.
- Converting or rehabbing existing buildings for affordable housing doesn’t count. Only new construction.
- Council Members can no longer negotiate with developers for community benefits.
The City Council will hold a hearing on the Mayor’s overall plan and the fast-track changes on October 21 at 1 p.m. Council Member Brewer will be testifying. So will the Conservancy.
If your community is listed and you are concerned about the lack of Council and community input, you could testify. Or you could call or write your Council Member in advance of the hearing. Wherever you live, if you agree this is bad policy, let your Council Member know.
Community members deserve a say in how their neighborhoods grow and change.