5 Borough Housing Movement

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 96^th 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 96^th 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.

About The

5 Borough
Housing Movement

The 5 Borough Housing Movement is a diverse coalition of supporters from the business, labor, civic, and religious communities across New York City focused on expanding the supply of affordable housing at a time when the City faces a dire housing crisis.

Meet Our

Leadership

John Sanchez is the Executive Director of the 5 Borough Housing Movement. John serves on the board of two housing non-profit organizations and has nearly a decade of experience in government, having previously served as Executive Director of New Yorkers For A Better Future, District Manager for Bronx Community Board 6, and Deputy Chief of Staff in the NYS Assembly.

The 5 Borough Housing Movement is led by a three-member board, including Former Assembly Member Marcos Crespo; Association for a Better New York CEO Melva M. Miller; and New York Building Congress President & CEO Carlo A. Scissura.