New York City Council Votes to Pass Fair Housing Framework Bill to Establish Housing Targets for Each Local Community District in Response to City’s Housing Crisis

City Hall, NY – Today, the New York City Council voted to require the City to establish targeted housing production goals for each Community District to ensure each New York City neighborhood plays an equitable role in addressing the city’s housing crisis, while accounting for unique community needs. The framework would help address neighborhood-by-neighborhood housing production and investment disparities that have led to the city’s housing shortages and lack of affordable housing.  The bill would help the city meet its housing needs, while ensuring that production is equitable, sustainable, and supported by investments. It represents the next step in Speaker Adams’ Housing Agenda and is a cornerstone alongside her Planning & Land Guidelines and Toolkit.

The Council also voted on legislation that would require the city to develop a citywide industrial development strategic plan to advance the sector’s contributions to expanding economic opportunity and supporting the transition to green energy. The bill addresses the city’s historical lack of a cohesive strategy for the sector and prepares the city to leverage the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to strengthen domestic workforces, supply chains, and renewable energy. The city’s industrial sector provides access to mid-to-high wage jobs that often do not require a college degree, and approximately 80% of its workforce is made up of people of color, making it a key engine of economic equity. The legislation was first proposed in Speaker Adrienne Adams’ address and is consistent with a national trend set by President Joe Biden to strengthen domestic workforces, supply chains, and renewable energy set forth in packages like the Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal.

“Today, the Council passed my Fair Housing Framework legislation, taking sweeping action to confront the city’s dire housing crisis through a lens of equity,”said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “This bill will help create a plan to support New Yorkers by building and preserving more housing, ensuring adequate affordability, and improving access to resources and opportunities in every neighborhood. It will serve as an important tool of transparency and accountability to help us address the housing crisis, with clarity about the obligations and needs of every community district. At the end of the day, the legislation is about building more housing and uplifting New Yorkers to give working families across the five boroughs a real chance at building their legacy in this city. The Council was also proud to pass the Industrial Development Plan, under the leadership of Council Member Farias, Chair of the Committee on Economic Development, which will allow our city to invest properly in industrial businesses, helping to expand economic opportunities for New Yorkers, support our transition to green energy, and create pathways to success. I want to thank our Council Members, housing advocates, and labor unions for their support on these bills that will benefit New Yorkers for generations to come.”

“Overhauling our city’s truck route network is a critical step for street safety, health equity, and environmental justice in our diverse communities,” added Speaker Adams. “The Council is proud to pass this legislation, which will prioritize community voices and the diverse viewpoints of all stakeholders in the redesign process. I thank Majority Whip Brooks-Powers and Council Member Aviles for their leadership on this legislation, and all of the community organizations and advocates whose support has been indispensable.”

Establishing and Maintaining a Fair Housing Framework
Introduction 1031-A, sponsored by Speaker Adrienne Adams, would require the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the Department of City Planning (DCP), with cooperation from any other relevant agency, to create a citywide fair housing assessment and plan every five years. The assessment would be coordinated with the requirements of the federal Fair Housing Act. Following this, the city would produce an assessment of long-term citywide housing needs, five-year housing production targets for each local community district level, and a strategic equity framework that would report on the obstacles and strategies for achieving them. The plan would also focus on the production and preservation of affordable housing, anti-displacement resources, and neighborhood investments for under-served communities. The City would produce annual reports on its progress.

Developing an Industrial Development Strategic Plan
Introduction 1012-A, sponsored by Council Member Amanda Farias, would require the Departments of City Planning and Small Business Services, in coordination with the Economic Development Corporation, to develop a citywide industrial development strategic plan. The plan would need to be completed every eight years and include an overview of city policies to support and grow the industrial sector, an analysis of industrial sector economic trends and the role of the sector in achieving key policy objectives such as the transition to green energy, identification of citywide goals and strategies to support industrial development, analyses of specific economic and land use data, and recommendations for priority job sectors, reform of financial incentives, land use, capital investments, and workforce development.

“My legislation, Introduction 1012-A, will require our city agencies to develop a comprehensive, citywide industrial development strategic plan for manufacturing and industrial business zones – something that has not been done since 1993 nor have zoning changes been made for industrial zones since 1961,” said Council Member Amanda Farias. “This bill is finally filling a decades-long gap and offering overdue support to a vital sector of our economy. When we protect industrial business zones and industrial jobs, we are also protecting our working-class families, unionized workforce, and businesses that boost our communities. These strategic plans will ensure that we are both growing our city’s workforce and that industrial zones have comprehensive planning that are protective of our existing infrastructure. I am proud to support the future of our industrial workforce for generations, grow our local economies, and support our emerging green economy with this critical legislation.”

Redesigning the City’s Truck Route Network

Introduction 708-A, sponsored by Council Member Alexa Aviles, would task DOT with redesigning the city’s truck route network to improve safety, increase visibility, reduce traffic congestion, and reduce vehicle miles traveled. The City’s truck route network is vital to the region’s industries and commercial enterprises, and increasingly important to residents who have shifted buying patterns in favor of home delivery. Yet, these routes come at a cost to the communities they run through: congestion caused by truck traffic can slow streets to a crawl, while truck exhaust contributes to high rates of respiratory illnesses, particularly in low-income communities. In redesigning the network, this bill would require DOT to consult with City agencies, community boards and business improvement districts, and representatives from businesses, environmental and climate justice organizations, street safety organizations, and the trucking, logistics and last-mile delivery industries. The bill would also require that DOT assess whether daylighting or daylighting barriers should be implemented at intersections on the truck route network, and review and replace truck route signage where necessary.

“Large corporations cannot continue to exploit our land and roadways without addressing resident needs,” said Council Member Alexa Avilés. “Communities like the ones I represent should not be forced to bear the weight of the e-commerce boom alone. I’m grateful for the Speaker’s support in making 708 a priority and I look forward to seeing it signed into law.”

Improving the Timeliness of Human Services Contract Procurement
Introduction 511-A, sponsored by Council Member Althea Stevens, would require the City’s Chief Procurement Officer to conduct a study and issue a report on the timing and duration of the City’s procurement process for human services contracts exceeding the small purchase limit. The report would identify the steps in the procurement process for these contracts and evaluate the time needed to complete each step. It would provide recommendations to the Procurement Policy Board (PPB) for setting procurement timelines as required under the City Charter. The PPB would then review the report and develop rules establishing procurement timelines for human services contracts. The bill would also mandate that the City Chief Procurement Officer begin issuing biannual reports starting in October 2026 on agency compliance with the time schedules set by the PPB.

“I am truly honored to champion this piece of legislation, as it will pave the way for a fair and efficient procurement process for the Human Service Sector in New York City. With a comprehensive study and report, we will be able to delve into the intricacies of New York City’s procurement timelines for crucial human services contracts,” said Council Member Althea Stevens. “Understanding the intricacies of the procurement process will empower us as a City to make more informed and data-driven decisions that benefit both our non-profit partners and the communities they serve. Our non-profit organizations have shown up for our city time after time, leading with love and compassion, even with contracts being paid in an untimely manner or not at all. Now it is time for us to show up for them and lay down the foundation for a procurement process that reflects the diverse and increasing needs of our communities.”

Establishing a Commission on LGBTQIA+ Older Adults
Introduction 564-A, sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán, would require the Department for the Aging (DFTA) to establish a commission focused on identifying ways to improve the quality of life for older adults who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual (LGBTQIA+), or any other diverse sexual orientation or gender identity, The commission’s goals would be to identify challenges, share best practices, and develop expert recommendations for LGBTQIA+ older adults. The commission would be required to submit two reports: the first report no later than one year after the appointment of all commission members, and an additional report no later than two years after submission of the first report.

“Partly to honor those of the Stonewall Generation who are no longer with us, the movement for queer liberation must support our elders, before they become our ancestors,” said Council Member Tiffany Caban. “Queer elders deserve to live and grow old with dignity, with comfort, with joy, with family, and with love, but with something else as well: stewardship of our culture. And we deserve to be in rich community with our elders, so that they are able to pass along their stories and teachings, to help us build a society where we are all free to be who we are. This legislation, which will help our city improve the quality of life of LGBTQIA+ older adults, has been a priority for the Council’s LGBTQIA+ Caucus, and I am proud to see it pass today.”

Exempting Credit Card Processing Fees from CFB Expenditure Limits

Introduction 348-A sponsored by Majority Leader Keith Powers, would provide that bank fees and credit card processing fees paid by a campaign for contributions received by that campaign would not count against the campaign’s expenditure limitation. The bill specifies that bank fees are the fees that banks charge to demand deposit account holders for the regular use or maintenance of an account, including check fees, monthly fees, overdraft fees, and wire fees. While this bill is effective immediately, it would apply to expenditures made before the effective date that are in furtherance of an election occurring after this year’s election that was held on November 7, 2023.

“No one likes bank fees, especially as they add up and become a surprisingly large expense,” said Council Majority Leader Keith Powers. “Today’s straightforward legislation will level the playing field by ensuring that these arbitrary fees do not count against campaign expenditure limits, allowing campaigns to raise and spend their funds on more substantive activities.”

Recognizing November 15 as Ol’Dirty Bastard Day

Resolution 621-A, sponsored by Council Member Chi A. Osse, would designate November 15 as Ol’ Dirty Bastard Day in the City of New York, in honor of his legacy as a co-founder of the Wu-Tang Clan and accomplishments as an MC.

“Russell Tyrone Jones, known as Ol’ Dirty Bastard, was a pioneer in New York’s music scene,” said Council Member Chi Osse, Chair of the Committee on Cultural Affairs. “As a new millennium approached, hip-hop music was rapidly moving toward cultural dominance and the Wu-Tang Clan was a true leader. ODB is one of New York’s immortal sons and we are proud to honor him with his birthday permanently marked on the calendar of his city.”

Finance

Introduction 1070-A, sponsored by Council Member Jennifer Gutierrez, would renew lapsed tax credits for New York City-based biotechnology firms against the General Corporation Tax, the Unincorporated Business Tax, and the Corporate Tax of 2015. The bill authorizes the credit for a period from January 1, 2023, until January 1, 2026, and the aggregate amount of credit allowable each year is capped at $3 million.

Introduction 1209, sponsored by Council Member Justin Brannan, would authorize a change in the method of assessment for the Westchester Square Business Improvement District, upon which the district charge is based. The change would more equitably assess properties based on their linear frontage along the main retail, commercial, or professional side of the property, rather than the current method of the longest frontage overall. The change would take effect July 1, 2024.

Introduction 1210, sponsored by Council Member Justin Brannan, would authorize increases to the assessment amounts of four business improvement districts as follows: Village Alliance BID, $1,900,000; Brighton Beach BID, $300,000; Fordham Road BID, $1,510,000; and Meatpacking Area BID, $6,200,000. The change would take effect July 1, 2024.

A preconsidered resolution, sponsored by Council Member Justin Brannan, authorizing a 40-year Article XI tax exemption for three buildings in Council Member Salamanca’s district. The exemption will allow for rehabilitation of the buildings, energy efficiency upgrades, impose rent and income restrictions, and set 15% of the units (30) aside for homeless referrals.

A preconsidered resolution, sponsored by Council Member Justin Brannan, authorizing a 40-year Article XI tax exemption for six buildings in Council Member Richardson Jordan’s district. The exemption will allow for rehabilitation of the buildings, impose rent and income restrictions as well as HPD’s Aging-in-Place initiative, and set 10% of the units (54) aside for homeless referrals.

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