Today, Speaker Adrienne Adams delivered opening remarks at the Council’s Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises’ public meeting on the Department of City Planning’s City of Yes for Housing Opportunity zoning proposal.
Below are the Speaker’s full remarks as prepared for delivery.
Good morning.
Thank you, Chair Riley, for leading today’s public meeting of the Council’s Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises on the Department of City Planning’s City of Yes for Housing Opportunity citywide zoning reform proposal. And thank you Director Garodnick and Commissioner Carrion, and everyone who has joined us today.
New Yorkers in every neighborhood need access to safe, stable, and affordable homes. Housing is key to building a stronger and healthier city, economically stable communities, and expanding opportunities for all New Yorkers.
But our city is currently in the midst of a severe housing crisis that is squeezing out working- and middle-class families who are already on the brink. New Yorkers are struggling to afford to stay in their neighborhoods due to increasing costs, and they lack the necessary support to remain in the city they love.
New Yorkers are facing a confluence of pressures that are undermining the stability of our communities. With a citywide housing vacancy rate of just 1.4 percent that is even lower for the most affordable homes, and the median home value in New York City near $700,000, it’s clear that there is an overall lack of housing, affordable homes, housing security, and homeownership opportunities. All these and various other issues must be addressed to help get us out of this crisis.
Homelessness in our city has soared to record levels in recent years, with an estimated 350,000 people without homes. Evictions have risen, and there is widespread housing insecurity among residents as rents remain high with more and more rent-burdened neighbors emerging.
All of these factors are contributing to New York’s housing crisis, and they will only worsen unless we advance holistic housing solutions.
Today, we are examining the Department of City Planning’s City of Yes for Housing Opportunity zoning reform proposal, which was put forward with the intention of allowing for the creation of more homes. We recognize the importance of updating the city’s zoning from the last major change decades ago to help contribute towards addressing the current housing needs in our city. We look forward to discussing these proposed changes during this meeting and tomorrow’s hearing.
At the same time, this Council knows that zoning reform alone cannot fully address the wide-ranging housing needs of New Yorkers. Zoning reform is one important component, but New Yorkers also need deeper affordability, expanded pathways to affordable homeownership, strengthened tenant protections, the removal of barriers to housing vouchers, investments in their neighborhoods, and more.
To truly confront this housing crisis and meet the diverse needs of our constituents, we must advance holistic solutions at the scale of the challenges facing New Yorkers.
As the Council reviews this zoning reform proposal, we will also prioritize a thorough housing plan with concrete actions and investments needed by people and neighborhoods across our city. We desperately need the creation of new housing, but also a focus on the pillars that serve the housing needs of New Yorkers. And we must do this in partnership with members of our community and all stakeholders.
At today’s public meeting, I look forward to hearing more from the Administration regarding its zoning proposal, and how we can work towards securing holistic solutions for our diverse communities and city.
Thank you, and now I will turn it over to our Land Use Chair, Council Member Rafael Salamanca.
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