New legislation signed by New York Governor Kathy Hochul will allow for more flexible rules to convert unused, unoccupied hotel space into permanent, affordable housing for the homeless.
The Democrat signed bills S.4937C/A.6262B in Manhattan with Sen. Brian Kavanagh, City Mayor Eric Adams and housing and jobs advocates.
The new law authorizes Class B hotels, which are located within or within 400 feet of districts that allow residential use and meet certain criteria to use their existing certificates of occupancy, to operate as permanent residential spaces.
The new bill also allows such hotels to provide permanent accommodation if they enter into an agreement with the City or if they receive funding from the State, through the Housing for Our Neighbors with Dignity Act (HONDA).
“As New York’s housing crisis continues to affect families, we are taking bold action, embracing innovative ideas and thinking outside the box to help ensure New Yorkers can access safe, livable and quality affordable housing.” Governor Hochul said. “This new law allows us to tackle the affordability crisis head-on and turn vacant and underutilized spaces into homes. I thank Assemblyman Cymbrowitz and Senator Kavanagh for sponsoring this bill and taking this step to ensure New Yorkers have a place to stay.” call home.”
During the conference, the governor said how many hotels did not reopen their doors after the pandemic or do not have the conditions and that this is an opportunity for people who sleep on the streets or do not find a home to have one.
In her State of the State address, Governor Hochul announced a five-year, $25 billion housing plan that will create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes in urban and rural New York, including 10,000 homes with supportive services. As part of that announcement, the governor proposed facilitating hotel conversions to create more affordable housing. The Democrat also secured an additional $100 million in HONDA funding to convert vacant commercial properties and distressed hotel properties across the state.
“Turning underutilized hotel space into affordable housing will provide thousands of struggling New Yorkers with an affordable home in locations that would otherwise have been inaccessible to them,” said Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado. “Creative solutions like this provide fair housing and help families experiencing homelessness or instability.”
“Today, we’re saying yes to more affordable and supportive housing that New Yorkers need and deserve. This law cuts red tape and eliminates outdated rules so we can take advantage of this once-in-a-generation opportunity. I want to thank my partners in the Legislature and HTC for providing the support we needed to achieve this victory for New Yorkers, as well as Governor Hochul for signing this bill into law,” said Mayor Eric Adams.
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