Earlier this month, the New York City Planning Commission (CPC) held a public hearing on proposed rules and regulations to implement the Affordable Housing Fast Track Program, the parameters of which were voted on during last November’s elections. These rules will shape how neighborhoods are evaluated for housing production—and determine where major projects may move forward with significantly reduced public review
HDC submitted our testimony to CPC, urging them to consider investing in historic rent stabilized buildings alongside new development. It argued that there exists a historic stock of buildings – such as schools, churches, hospitals – that have the features to be readapted to solve the current housing crisis.
Moreover, existing historic rent-stabilized buildings have been struggling due to deferred maintenance, repairs and loss of funds. HDC urged that existing supportive housing should be invested alongside new development.
Our full letter can be found below.