Investigation uncovers HPD’s 13 years of failing to enforce housing program requirements against developers and depriving the City of affordable housing and resources. On February 29, 2016, New York City Public Advocate Letitia James released a report on an investigation conducted by her office into 26 residential properties in Brooklyn. The 26 properties had been given to a nonprofit developer to be rehabilitated and resold, subject to affordable housing income restrictions, as part of the … <Read More>
Department of Housing Preservation and Development
City Planning Commission Approves Modified Affordable Housing Proposals
Despite expressing broad support for proposals, City Planning calls on City Council to make further modifications. On February 3, 2016, the City Planning Commission voted to approve the Mandatory Inclusionary Housing and Zoning for Quality and Affordability proposals, which are two of the major programs to be implemented under Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Housing New York plan. This was the first opportunity for City Planning to present its modified versions of the MIH and ZQA … <Read More>
Intro 214 “Right to Counsel” Bill Garners Citywide Support
If enacted into law, Intro 214 would make New York City the first municipality in the nation to provide free legal representation to low-income tenants in Housing Court. On March 26, 2014, the “Right to Counsel” bill was introduced in the New York City Council by co-sponsors Council members Mark Levine and Vanessa Gibson. The proposed law would provide free legal representation to low-income City tenants and homeowners earning income that is not in … <Read More>
Center for NYC Neighborhoods Hosts Panel on Affordable Homeownership
The keynote panel focused on the issues and challenges raised by affordable housing creation and preservation in New York City. On September 30, 2015, the Center for NYC Neighborhoods held its conference on the Future of Affordable Homeownership in NYC. The event was hosted at New York Law School and sponsored by NYLS, JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, the Center for Real Estate Studies, the Center for New York City Law, and several other … <Read More>
Construction of 171 Low-Income Senior Residential Units Approved for Mott Haven Site
West Side Federation will build new units adjacent to an existing, low-income residential building and add additional community and commercial space. On August 13, 2015, the City Council approved West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing’s Uniform Land Use Review Procedure application to build a development around the pre-existing Borinquen Court building, which is a low-income residential building geared towards senior citizens and physically-disabled individuals. The development would be located in Council District … <Read More>
Council Approves Conversion of Henry Street Firehouse into Community Space
Community facility will provide on-site social services and improved access to need-based financial benefits. On August 13, 2015, the City Council adopted a resolution to rehabilitate a vacant firehouse and convert it into a community facility. The Department of Housing Preservation and Development submitted the Urban Development Action Area Project proposal to the City Planning Commission on March 31, 2015. The four-story firehouse is located at 269 Henry Street in the Lower East Side neighborhood … <Read More>