Mayor Adams announces new plan to tackle NYC's housing crisis

Mayor Eric Adams promises to address a wide range of the city's housing problems and get New Yorkers into safe, affordable, and high-quality homes. The long-awaited housing plan outlines five key initiatives: reforming NYCHA, expanding access to affordable homeownership by creating more supportive and affordable housing units, providing more people in the shelter systems with access to critical services and resources, and eliminating unnecessary paperwork to obtain housing. 

According to Adams, the blueprint was the result of extensive feedback from New Yorkers experiencing or having experienced homelessness, renters, and real estate industry stakeholders. However, it remains unclear how many affordable housing units will be built under this program or how many people will benefit from it. Mayor Adams did not give exact numbers but said he plans to place “as many people as possible” into permanent housing, according to Gothamist. 

"Today is a new day for housing in New York City," said Mayor Adams in a statement. "Safe, stable, and affordable housing cannot be a privilege — it is fundamental to my vision for a prosperous, inclusive city. We spoke with and listened to New Yorkers who have been impacted by the housing crisis in our city, and today we are delivering the most comprehensive plan in New York City's history."

The mayor’s plan was released one day after the City Council approved a new $101 billion NYC budget. Adams set aside $22 billion for housing over the next 10 years, which is a record-high number. However, previously, the mayor campaigned to spend $4 billion a year on housing, 6sqft reports. 

The new plan promises to build 15,000 supportive housing units two years before the deadline, which ends in 2030. In addition, it also eliminates the rule that requires shelter residents to wait four months before applying for affordable housing. Advocates supported some elements of the blueprint but called for increasing the supply of affordable and supportive housing for unhoused and extremely-low income New Yorkers. 

“While Mayor Adams’ plan has some laudable goals for addressing many of the problems encountered by homeless New Yorkers, more action and investment is needed to actually reduce homelessness,” said Jacquelyn Simone, Policy Director with Coalition for the Homeless. "Mayor Adams must dramatically expand the supply of permanent and supportive housing for homeless New Yorkers and extremely low-income households – which takes far bolder housing investments than are included in this plan.”

Resources:

“Mayor Adams Outlines Blueprint for 'Housing our Neighbors' Plan to get New Yorkers Into Safe, High-Quality, Affordable Homes,” (NYC, 2022)

“Adams outlines long-awaited plan to tackle NYC’s housing crisis,” Aaron Ginsburg (6sqft, 2022)

“Adams unveils housing plan but refuses to set targets,” by Elizabeth Kim (Gothamist, 2022)

“Left-leaning Dems say $101 billion city budget shortchanges students, homeless people,” by Elizabeth Kim, David Cruz, and Jake Offenhartz (Gothamist, 2022)

“Adams Announces Plan to Fix New York City’s Growing Housing Crisis,” by Matthew Haag, Dana Rubinstein and Andy Newman (The New York Times, 2022)

“Coalition for the Homeless Statement on Mayor Adams’ Housing our Neighbors Plan,” by Jacquelyn Simone (Coalition for the Homeless, 2022)