City of Yes for Housing Opportunity

Upzonings as Proposed by ‘City of Yes’ Makes NYC Neighborhoods Whiter, Less Black and Hispanic

Our study looking at demographic changes in NYC neighborhoods shows that neighborhoods with upzonings and the high rates of new housing construction that follow overwhelmingly tend to get whiter and less Black and Hispanic. Proponents of upzonings like ‘City of Yes’ claim turbocharging housing production is needed to make our city more accessible, affordable, and diverse, and that zoning and landmark protections make them less so. Our report is more evidence that these claims are false, and that programs like ‘City of Yes’ may do more harm than good.

Mayor Adams’ “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity” is making its way through the public review and approval process, with final votes expected by the end of 2024. The 1,400-page proposal would transform how development can take place in every corner of NYC. Some of its provisions are extremely concerning, and some are cloaked in mystery as the City has thus far refused to supply clarifying information.

The plan would change rules to make it easier for developers to build bigger, taller luxury condos in our neighborhoods, transfer air rights over broader areas with less oversight, and build on spaces currently containing or required to contain open space. All this is premised on the ludicrous but increasingly widely held belief that building more unaffordable housing will make our city more affordable, with its beneficial effects trickling down eventually to all New Yorkers — an assumption we’ve debunked in our own research and continue to oppose through our advocacy.

Updates

  • November 12, 2024

    City of Yes Vote Date Pushed Back — WRITE TODAY!

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  • November 6, 2024

    New Village Preservation Study Shows Neighborhoods with High Levels of Housing Construction, as Proposed By City of Yes, Overwhelmingly Become More White and Less Black and Hispanic

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  • October 16, 2024

    City of Yes at City Council Tuesday, October 22 — SIGN UP TO TESTIFY AND SEND LETTERS NOW!

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  • October 11, 2024

    Mayor Adams’ “City of Yes” Plan to Get City Council Public Hearing Tuesday, October 22 — SEND LETTERS NOW!

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  • September 25, 2024

    City of Yes Approved by City Planning Commission as Expected, Now Goes to City Council For Real Fight

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  • September 9, 2024

    Village Sun Editorial: “Just Say No to ‘City of Yes for Housing Opportunity’” — WRITE CITY OFFICIALS

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  • July 12, 2024

    After Marathon 14-Hour Hearing, City of Yes Comments Open Until July 22

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  • July 8, 2024

    REMINDER: Important Public Hearings Wednesday on “City of Yes” and Plans for the Tony Dapolito Recreation Center and 388 Hudson Street

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  • July 3, 2024

    City Planning Commission Hearing on “City of Yes” Wednesday, July 10 Beginning at 10 am — PLEASE TESTIFY OR SUBMIT COMMENTS

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  • June 7, 2024

    Village Preservation’s Analysis Debunking City’s Claims on Causes of Unaffordability Now Available As Report

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  • May 13, 2024

    “City of Yes” Rezoning Plan Has More Dangers, More Oversized Luxury Condos

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  • May 13, 2024

    Is a Housing “Shortage” Really the Cause of Unaffordability?

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  • April 15, 2024

    Mayor Adams’ “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity” Released, Still Containing Deeply Problematic Elements — WRITE NOW!

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  • November 6, 2023

    Mayor Adams’ Latest “City of Yes” Proposal Could Strip Zoning Protections and Allow Vastly Increased Air Rights Transfers in Our Neighborhoods

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  • October 24, 2022

    Mayor Adam’s ‘City of Yes’ Plans for Increased Development Revealed

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  • October 8, 2022

    Public Presentations: Mayor Adams’ ‘City of Yes’ Rezoning Proposals

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