Help Expand NYC Affordable Housing Citywide


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Act now and tell your state lawmakers to allow existing commercial buildings in Manhattan to convert to residential use!

New York City is in the midst of a housing crisis. Affordable rental housing supply across the city has lagged behind the city’s population growth over the last decade. Manhattan, in particular, has seen an insufficient creation of affordable rental units, including homes below market rate. In fact, from 2014 to 2021, only 5,523 new affordable housing units were constructed below 96th Street.

The result? Growing housing pressure in boroughs outside of Manhattan, as well as neighborhoods above 96th Street in northern Manhattan, as New York City residents continue to look for lower priced housing option. And now boroughs outside of Manhattan are facing skyrocketing rental housing prices.

The 5 Borough Housing Movement is calling on lawmakers in Albany to:

  • Allow existing commercial buildings across New York City, especially in Manhattan below 96th Street, to convert to residential use to expand affordable housing across the city
  • Lift the residential floor area ratio (FAR) cap on how many apartments can be in a building in New York City and allow the local government to determine where higher density housing can be built
  • Provide a tax incentive to encourage converted buildings to include permanently affordable apartments

These changes will ensure Manhattan is doing its part to create more affordable rental housing options and opportunities for all New Yorkers.

Help us create a stronger and more equitable city!

Act Now

Tell your elected officials in Albany to pass legislation that will allow New York City to move forward with these conversions and lift the FAR cap – providing more affordable housing for working families at a time when New Yorkers need it most.

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Media

News & Updates


June 5, 2023

Op-Ed: The future of Queens hinges on what actions Albany does — or doesn’t — take this week

QNS

June 4, 2023

5 Borough Housing Movement executive director discusses transforming office spaces

Spectrum News

May 30, 2023

Adams’ aides ramp up push for 421-a extension, office conversions

POLITICO Pro

May 30, 2023

Adams Administration, Labor, Civil Rights Leaders, Advocates Unite Behind Albany Housing Push

NYC.Gov

May 12, 2023

The Housing Policies State Leaders Need to Focus on Accomplishing Now that the Budget is Passed

Gotham Gazette

April 18, 2023

Hochul’s Suburban Development Plan Is Dead, but Adams Keeps Pushing Housing Expansion for NYC

The City

April 5, 2023

Nearly half of Bronx community boards favor office-to-residential conversion, but roadblocks remain

Bronx Times

March 30, 2023

Op-ed | It’s time to scrap the 60’s-era rules holding back NYC housing development

AMNY

March 30, 2023

Opinion: New York City needs help to convert unused offices to housing

City & State New York

March 30, 2023

Help solve the city’s housing crisis by using the state budget

New York Daily News

March 29, 2023

Opinion: The future of Queens hinges on this year’s budget

Queens Daily Eagle

March 20, 2023

CB2 calls on Albany to lift density cap and allow office spaces to be converted into housing

Queens Post

March 13, 2023

Adams calls for offices to be converted to apartments

PIX 11

March 13, 2023

Mayor Eric Adams tours former office building being converted to housing in Lower Manhattan

ABC 7 NY

March 8, 2023

NYC borough presidents want Albany lawmakers to ease rules allowing conversion of commercial space to housing

New York Daily News

February 26, 2023

Turning empty offices into new homes

NY Daily News

February 22, 2023

MetroFocus: February 22, 2023

MetroFocus

February 22, 2023

Para enfrentar la crisis de la vivienda, se requiere reinvención y concordancia

El Diario

February 22, 2023

5 Borough Housing Movement Gets Key Support From Four Elected Officials as Budget Deadline Looms

Empire Report

February 15, 2023

Manhattan needs middle class housing — New York should let it happen

AM NY

February 13, 2023

Office-to-residential conversion growing steam in NYC; 3 Bronx community boards join the ‘movement’

Bronx Times

February 3, 2023

Summary of Governor's Executive Budget Proposals

5 Borough Housing Movement

January 30, 2023

5 Borough Housing Movement forms to support reshaping Midtown

City & State New York

January 26, 2023

Mayor Adams Lays Out ‘Working People’s Agenda’ in State of the City Speech

The City

January 26, 2023

Mayor Adams Focuses Agenda on the ‘Working People’ of New York

New York Times

January 24, 2023

5 Borough Housing Movement calling for more affordable housing in city

NY 1

January 24, 2023

Can Kathy Hochul Get Her Ambitious Housing Policies Passed?

Commercial Observer

January 10, 2023

In State of the State Speech, Hochul Backs Adams Housing Agenda

The City

January 9, 2023

5 Borough Housing Movement Launches Campaign to Increase Affordable Housing for New Yorkers by Converting Unused Office Space to Residential Use

Empire Report