Speaker Menin Announces Plan to Build New Libraries and Create Hundreds of 100% Affordable Homes Across New York City

 

Council Calls for $60 Million Capital Investment to Launch “New Libraries, New Homes” Initiative Across All Three Library Systems

New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin today announced a major new initiative to modernize aging public library facilities while creating hundreds of new deeply affordable homes for New Yorkers by building housing above library sites across the city.

As part of ongoing budget negotiations, the Council is calling on the Administration to invest $60 million in capital funding to support the redevelopment of three initial library sites—one in each of New York City’s three library systems. If approved, the investment would unlock public-private partnerships capable of delivering state-of-the-art library facilities alongside new, 100% affordable housing at each location.

In consultation with the library systems, the Council has also identified three additional library sites across the city as candidates for future redevelopment through the same model.

“For years, New Yorkers have talked about the promise of building housing above libraries, but only a handful of projects have moved forward. Today, the Council is taking action with a comprehensive plan to unlock deeply affordable housing alongside transformed library facilities across the city,” said Speaker Julie Menin. “This proposal represents a smarter, faster, and more cost-effective way to modernize aging public infrastructure while creating much-needed housing. By pairing new library construction with residential development, we can deliver modern community spaces, create new homes for New Yorkers, and maximize the value of public land. This is exactly the kind of innovative and proactive thinking our city needs to address both our housing crisis and our infrastructure needs.”

The Council’s proposal would begin by adding library capital funding to support the redevelopment of three initial sites with new expanded libraries and affordable housing above:

•   Parkchester Branch Library (New York Public Library) in the Bronx in Council Member Amanda Farías’ district
•   Marcy Branch Library (Brooklyn Public Library) in Brooklyn in Council Member Chi Ossé’s district
•   Sunnyside Branch Library (Queens Public Library) in Queens in Council Member Julie Won’s district

Together, the sites have the potential to create hundreds of new deeply affordable housing units while replacing aging facilities with modern, state-of-the-art libraries designed to serve growing communities for decades to come.

“We thank Speaker Menin and the City Council for prioritizing libraries and supporting a model with a proven record of success,” said Brooklyn Public Library President Linda E. Johnson, New York Public Library President Anthony W. Marx, and Queens Public Library President Dennis M. Walcott. “The affordable housing and library redevelopment projects in Sunset Park and Inwood – the first of their kind in New York City – grew out of the libraries’ efforts to reimagine how public assets can better serve communities and maximize capital funding. These projects demonstrated the potential of this approach, and we look forward to working with the City to explore these opportunities wherever they align with community needs. The priorities the Speaker outlined are an excellent step toward achieving our mutual goals.”