Mayor Eric Adams’ City of Yes housing plan, aimed at increasing housing construction in New York City, has been approved by two key City Council committees after negotiations resulted in a $5 billion commitment from the administration to fund housing priorities. The plan, which aims to update zoning rules for housing construction, passed the Zoning Subcommittee and the Land Use Committee with slight modifications.
During the committee votes, concerns were raised by some council members about the impact of the plan on neighborhood character and infrastructure. Amendments were made to address these concerns, including changes to affordable housing requirements and parking mandates. The plan now aims to create more housing while respecting the diversity and character of neighborhoods.
City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams secured $5 billion in funding from the administration for affordable housing construction, affordability programs, infrastructure upgrades, and staffing in relevant city agencies. The plan also includes provisions for affordable housing in new developments and restrictions on construction in certain areas to preserve neighborhood character.
Overall, the City of Yes housing plan represents a significant effort to address the housing shortage in New York City by making it easier to build homes across the five boroughs. The plan still needs to pass a final vote by the full City Council on December 5th, but with the amendments made to address concerns raised by council members, it is expected to move forward successfully.
