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In no small part, the future of affordable housing in NYC lies beneath our feet.
Yes, we're talking basement apartments, and as was noted today on @ChhayaCDC's @nyc_base briefing this morning, legalization was "good housing policy a year ago, and is now imperative."
Yes, we're talking basement apartments, and as was noted today on @ChhayaCDC's @nyc_base briefing this morning, legalization was "good housing policy a year ago, and is now imperative."
Context:
170 - 420K+ currently illegal cellar and basements
44% NYC households rent burdened
46% of NYS renters facing eviction
80K+ in shelter or "doubled up"
Housing vouchers inadequate for many rentals
Undocumented immigrants ineligible for many programs
170 - 420K+ currently illegal cellar and basements44% NYC households rent burdened46% of NYS renters facing eviction80K+ in shelter or "doubled up"Housing vouchers inadequate for many rentalsUndocumented immigrants ineligible for many programs
Working class, immigrant homeowners face fines of $15-40K for illegal rentalsRents are / would be in the hundreds, not thousandsHomeowners are in a crunch with their mortgages. Folx live in basements b/c it's where their communities are + they can't go elsewhere.
Pull this together & the answer is clear: legalize all basements & safe cellars now.
@nyc_base's got the plan.
1. Legalize all basements (defined as 50% above curb)
2. Legalize safe cellars (50% below curb) w/ 7' ceilings
3. Don't allow converted cellars to trip the zoning wire
@nyc_base's got the plan.
1. Legalize all basements (defined as 50% above curb)
2. Legalize safe cellars (50% below curb) w/ 7' ceilings
3. Don't allow converted cellars to trip the zoning wire
4. Waive parking requirements
5. Establish the NYC Office of Small Homes: one-stop shop for homeowners to navigate all permits + get access to low-interest loans
6. Fine amnesty for all homeowners currently w/ tenants
+ more.
This isn't just about solving our housing crisis...
5. Establish the NYC Office of Small Homes: one-stop shop for homeowners to navigate all permits + get access to low-interest loans
6. Fine amnesty for all homeowners currently w/ tenants
+ more.
This isn't just about solving our housing crisis...
...this is about justice for Black, Brown, + immigrant NYers who have for too long been unable to afford housing bc the law, the lack of political will, and true neglect.
During our census campaign, I saw this firsthand from Woodside to Corona to Richmond Hill to East New York.
During our census campaign, I saw this firsthand from Woodside to Corona to Richmond Hill to East New York.
If you can believe it, ours was the City's *first-ever* campaign to speak directly to New Yorkers living in basements, and was focused on ensuring that thousands of housing insecure immigrants were counted in the 2020 Census, an existential exercise for our city. 
For too long, our housing policy has focused on the production of physical assets vs. centering the New Yorkers who need our help the most.
We need a people-first housing plan that solves real problems for real people and doesn't view us as a percentage of some inane formula.
We need a people-first housing plan that solves real problems for real people and doesn't view us as a percentage of some inane formula.
Before we even have to think about a shovel in the ground anywhere, we can bring racial, housing, and economic justice to hundreds of thousands of Black, Brown, + immigrant homeowners, renters, and folx experiencing homelessness by legalizing basements and safe cellars today.
I am proud to take the @nyc_base pledge.
Real change always starts with organizers working from the ground up, and when (not if) we finally get this done, it will be because of them (+ electeds matter, too!)
Mad props to @JaggaS1ngh @AnnettaSeech @CNYCN @ChhayaCDC @prattcenter
Real change always starts with organizers working from the ground up, and when (not if) we finally get this done, it will be because of them (+ electeds matter, too!)
Mad props to @JaggaS1ngh @AnnettaSeech @CNYCN @ChhayaCDC @prattcenter
@WilliamSpisak @HarveyforNY @AdrienneEAdams @KhaleelAnderson @RLEspinal + anyone else I might've missed (including the public servants in the City Admin who've been fighting very hard for this, too).
