A proposal to convert public office buildings to affordable housing was discussed Tuesday in the City Council’s Land Use Committee, which Mayor Eric Adams said would create at least 20,000 new homes in the city.
Councilor Carmen De La Rosa believes it is necessary to address this issue:
“Most or many New Yorkers live in the same apartment or we have a crisis in public shelters in New York City.we have to be creative in how we solve this crisis,” he says.
As part of the recommendations of the Urban Planning department to expand the renovation plan for low-use buildings in the city, the councilors talked about making the regulations or permits to convert these properties more flexible.
Due to the pandemic, its offices were left almost empty, and economic incentives would be given to convert them into affordable housing, with the capacity, in turn, to have child care centers.
“It is going to be a proposal that we have to evaluate, look at the benefits, but right now we know that for New York City continue to be a city where workers can continue to live in the city, we have to make more housing and make it affordable,” adds De La Rosa.
One of the councilors involved in this project is Rafael Salamanca, who represents a sector of the South Bronx, and who has stated that studios include buildings located in Concourse Village, Hunts Point and Melrosein said county.
But in reality, said study indicates that there is real estate in the five counties that could be converted into residential housing for low-income people.
Councilor Pierina Sánchez also stated that:
“After COVID 19, these professionals are no longer going to the office as before, so we have to take advantage of this opportunity, but every time the city gives a benefit to people to become landlords, we also have to give that benefit to the New Yorkers in need.”
The mayor’s and Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposal is an alternative to provide housing in the next decade to at least approximately forty thousand New Yorkers.
