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COMMUNITY OP-ED APRIL 05, 2024 | The Indian Eye 14

‘Yes’ to Housing in God’s Backyard

Under our ‘City of Yes’ plan — the most pro-housing plan in our city’s history — we

are using every tool at our disposal to build a little more housing in every neighborhood

ERIC ADAMS

hen we came into office, we
had a clear mission: protect
Wpublic safety, rebuild our
economy as quickly as possible, and
make our city more livable for every-
day New Yorkers. The key to livabili-
ty is affordable housing. It is the bed-
rock on which New Yorkers can build
a family, build a life, or simply con- To build more affordable housing, we must think creatively and bring every partner to the table (Representative photo)
tinue to live in the city they love. But
there is currently not enough afford-
able housing to meet our city’s needs. and instead say ‘yes’: ‘yes’ to housing communities of faith. This April, our grew up on the edge of homelessness.
The New York City Department in God’s backyard. Under our ‘City ‘City of Yes for Housing Opportunity’ My siblings and I had to carry trash
of Housing Preservation and Devel- of Yes’ plan — the most pro-housing plan will enter public review and the bags full of clothes to school because
opment’s 2023 Housing and Vacan- plan in our city’s history — we are us- City Council will vote on it by end of we didn’t know where we would sleep
cy Survey showed that our city has a ing every tool at our disposal to build the year. the next night. That is no way to live.
vacancy rate of 1.4 percent, the low- a little more housing in every neigh- While we are doing every thing And it’s no way to live for count-
est this measurement has been since borhood, including doing away with we can on a city level with our ‘City of less New Yorkers who want to con-
1968. The only way to create more outdated zoning rules that prevent us Yes’ plan, we also need the state to act. tinue to live in the city they love so
rental availability and lower prices is from developing the housing we des- At this moment, state leaders are ne- much. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
to build more housing. To build more perately need. This means giving our gotiating a budget deal in Albany. We knew that affordable housing was
affordable housing, we must think houses of worship the flexibility to need their deal to include a new incen- critical to our country’s future, and
creatively and bring every partner to build homes on their campuses, per- tive for affordable housing construc- we know today that it is critical for
the table. No partner has been more mitting the creation of much-needed tion and a tax incentive for office to the future of our city. It was Dr. King
willing to answer the call than our three-to-five story buildings on large residential conversions. We also need who called out discriminatory prac-
faith-based organizations. They have lots owned by faith-based organiza- the state to repeal the outdated FAR tices by landlords and realtors that
been on the frontline of every crisis — tions, and allowing landmarked hous- Cap, which will allow us to add more kept Black Americans out of certain
from the COVID-19 pandemic to the es of worship to permit unused land on housing in residential neighborhoods, neighborhoods. And it was Dr. King
asylum seeker crisis. Houses of wor- their sites to be used for development. and to give New York City the power who advocated for the Fair Housing
ships have always opened their doors These changes to our zoning to legalize existing basement apart- Act, the landmark legislation that was
to those most in need. Now, they rules will help faith-based groups ments so that they can meet health finally passed by Congress the week
want to lend a helping hand in creat- generate revenue, add more afford- and safety standards. Finally, we after he was assassinated.
ing critically-needed affordable hous- able housing across the five boroughs, need Albany to pass the Faith Based But his life’s work did not end
ing. However, because of outdated and develop new resources and facil- Affordable Housing Act, which says with that bullet. We are continuing to
and antiquated zoning laws that go ities for congregations at a moment ‘yes’ to building affordable housing fight for it today so that all New York-
back generations, houses of worship when some are struggling to make on the properties of faith institutions. ers can live with the dignity, security,
have been told ‘no.’ But those days ends meet. The changes will support This fight is personal for me. I and peace of mind that they deserve.
are over. both everyday New Yorkers who know what feels like to live without Eric Adams is the Mayor of
Our city must stop saying ‘no,’ need affordable homes as well as our the security of housing because I New York City, NY

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