Affordable Housing

Affordable housing development must seek a better balance between market rate and affordable housing. Pioneers who have built our neighborhoods must not be forced to leave because they are victims of their own success, their housing should remain affordable so that they may realize the fruits of their labor.

As former Chief of Staff for Mitchell-Lama Subcommittee Chair, Assemblyman Jonathan L. Bing, I know the current issues facing affordable housing. I had the opportunity to work on the next generation of progressive legislation that would scale certain rent regulations to the consumer price index, so that new laws are always current and housing remains affordable for generations to come. But there is more to do and as your City Council member I will continue this work by reforming rent regulation, using market indices like the consumer price index, and expanding affordable housing.

In addition to fixing affordable housing and rent regulation laws, we must also create a centralized affordable housing resource. Affordable housing must be transparent, with easily accessible and searchable lists by address and qualification, rather than having to search through over a dozen different programs and agencies. We must open affordable housing by creating an easy centralized application process. Lastly, the waiting lists for all affordable housing must be publicly available to provide accountability where these waiting lists have been previously abused.

Bloomberg Business Sutton Place rezoning proposal seeks to block 90-story tower by Oshrat Carmiel

“We are racing the clock, but I would warn any investor that this is a poor investment,” said Councilman Ben Kallos, one of the applicants on the rezoning proposal filed with the city planning department. “This neighborhood will rezone before this building can go up. I’m so tired of people saying that ‘as of right’ means the community can do nothing.”

Issue: 
Affordable Housing
Community

New York Daily News Mayor de Blasio won’t use $40 million annual surplus in Battery Park City funds to fix up dingy NYCHA apartments by Greg Smith

The plan to devote a total of $400 million from Battery Park to NYCHA over 10 years needs approval by the mayor, the city controller and the governor.

This week Gov. Cuomo joined Controller Scott Stringer to support the plan, but Mayor de Blasio is balking.

“It’s deeply disappointing that the mayor came out against the Battery Park Authority proposal. It’s not progressive at all,” City Council Housing Committee Chairman Ritchie Torres (D-Bronx) said at a rally outside City Hall Thursday.

Councilman Ben Kallos (D-Manhattan) added, “Where is Mayor de Blasio? Can he please say yes to $400 million?”

Issue: 
Affordable Housing

New York Daily News EXCLUSIVE: NYC Council’s progressive group seeks changes to de Blasio’s housing plan by Erin Durkin

Apartments should be offered for people making less than the average 60% of area median income — $46,620 for a family of three — currently targeted in the plan, says the 18-member group, which represents about a third of the Council.“We believe in having deeper levels of affordability,” said Councilman Ben Kallos (D-Manhattan), the vice chair for policy.

 

Issue: 
Affordable Housing