Affordable Housing

New survey highlights NYC’s rental housing crisis, showing few affordable apartments available

Photo by Dimitry Anikin on Unsplash

May 18, 2022

New survey highlights NYC’s rental housing crisis, showing few affordable apartments available

By Michelle Cohen

The city's Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) released a report this week revealing the first findings from the 2021 New York City Housing and Vacancy Survey (NYCHVS). The report illuminates a trove of information on the city's housing realities since the pandemic began. The survey shows that the city’s overall median household income would have to double in order to cover the median asking rent of $2,750/month. It also reveals an extreme shortage of vacant units among the city's low-cost housing: The vacancy rate for homes listed below $1,500/month was less than 1 percent, the lowest in 30 years. And New York City saw a substantial net loss of low-cost units–and a net increase of higher-cost units–since 1991.
More on the state of NYC's rental housing, this way

51 middle-income rentals available in East Harlem, from $2,200/month

Rendering courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

May 12, 2022

51 middle-income rentals available in East Harlem, from $2,200/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

Applications are currently being accepted for 51 middle-income units at a new residential development in Upper Manhattan. Located at 1998 Second Avenue in East Harlem, the 12-story building gives residents access to a host of amenities and the Upper East Side's wide variety of restaurants and stores. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income-- or between $75,429 annually for a single person and $215,150 for a family of seven--are eligible to apply for the apartments, which range from $2,200/month studios to $3,750/month three bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

Lottery opens for 80 units at Morris Adjmi’s new Clinton Hill tower, from $1,320/month

Renderings courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

May 5, 2022

Lottery opens for 80 units at Morris Adjmi’s new Clinton Hill tower, from $1,320/month

By Devin Gannon

A 29-story mixed-use tower in Brooklyn designed by Morris Adjmi Architects is now accepting applications for 80 affordable apartments. Located on the corner of Atlantic and Clinton Avenues in Clinton Hill, 539 Vanderbilt Avenue (also known as 550 Clinton Avenue), contains 284 total apartments and 60,000 square feet of commercial space. New Yorkers earning 70, 80, and 130 percent of the area median income can apply for the apartments, priced from $1,320/month studios to $3,897/month three-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

Plan to convert vacant hotels into affordable housing backed by Mayor Adams

Photo by Dimitry Anikin on Unsplash

May 2, 2022

Plan to convert vacant hotels into affordable housing backed by Mayor Adams

By Devin Gannon

Mayor Eric Adams on Sunday called on Albany to pass legislation that makes it easier for New York City to convert vacant and underused hotels into affordable housing. Introduced earlier this year by Assembly Member Steven Cymbrowitz and State Sen. Brian Kavanagh, the bill creates an exemption to zoning rules that require developers to undergo the city's lengthy land use review process or complete major renovations for hotels to become permanent housing. While the idea of converting hotels into housing has been floated by lawmakers for years without getting off the ground, the city's growing housing and homelessness crises have renewed a push from officials.
More here

Adams adds record $171M in budget to fund 1,400 shelter beds for homeless New Yorkers

Photo by Filip Mishevski on Flickr

April 27, 2022

Adams adds record $171M in budget to fund 1,400 shelter beds for homeless New Yorkers

By Aaron Ginsburg

Mayor Eric Adams on Sunday announced an additional $171 million for homeless services in his proposed executive budget for the fiscal year 2023. The mayor says the investment will pay for 1,400 Safe Haven and stabilization beds, small-scale alternatives to traditional shelter settings, the creation of three drop-in centers, and improving ongoing outreach efforts. The investment, which City Hall says would be the largest of its kind to be made by the city, will be allocated every year beginning next fiscal year.
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Lottery opens for 225 mixed-income units at massive development near Yankee Stadium, from $375/month

Rendering courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

April 26, 2022

Lottery opens for 225 mixed-income units at massive development near Yankee Stadium, from $375/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

A housing lottery opened this week for 225 mixed-income units at a new residential development just a few blocks from Yankee Stadium. Located at 1164 River Avenue in the South Bronx, the 17-story building is part of a larger residential project known as River Crest Apartments, which will bring nearly 750 units of affordable housing to the block. New Yorkers earning 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 percent of the area median income, or between $15,429 for a single person and $132,400 for a household of seven people, are eligible to apply for the apartments, which range from $375/month studios to $2,059/month three-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualfify

Affordable Housing

44 units available at new Williamsburg building designed for seniors, from $1,041/month

Rendering courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

April 22, 2022

44 units available at new Williamsburg building designed for seniors, from $1,041/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

Applications are currently being accepted for 44 low-income units at a new senior-housing development in Brooklyn. Located at 64 Scholes Street in Williamsburg, the 8-story building is dedicated to providing senior residents with affordable housing. New Yorkers earning 60 percent of the area median income, or between $38,263 annually for a single person and $57,300 for a household of two, are eligible to apply for the apartments, which cost $1,041 per month.
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Affordable Housing

Lottery opens for 35 units at new Astoria building designed for low-income seniors

Photo courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

April 13, 2022

Lottery opens for 35 units at new Astoria building designed for low-income seniors

By Aaron Ginsburg

A housing lottery opened this week for 35 very-low-income units at a new development in Queens. Located at 23-11 31st Road in Astoria, the Bishop Valero Residence is a six-story building designed with senior residents in mind. Developed by Catholic Charities and designed by Dattner Architects, the project includes on-site supportive social services accessible through the ground floor's 200-seat community senior center. New Yorkers who are 62 years or older and earn 40 or 50 percent of the area median income, (no more than $33,440 annually for a single person or no more than $53,700 for a household of three) can apply for the units.
Do you qualify?

Affordable Housing

Lottery opens for 185 units at former Jehovah’s Witnesses hotel in Dumbo, from $537/month

Image courtesy of Breaking Ground

April 4, 2022

Lottery opens for 185 units at former Jehovah’s Witnesses hotel in Dumbo, from $537/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

A housing lottery opened this week for 185 mixed-income units at a residential tower in Brooklyn. Located at 90 Sands Street in Dumbo, the 30-story building offers affordable units to those with extremely low to moderate incomes and formerly homeless New Yorkers. Once a hotel owned by the Jehovah's Witnesses, the property was acquired by nonprofit Breaking Ground in 2018 for $170 million and converted into supportive and affordable housing. New Yorkers earning 30, 40, 60, 100, and 120 percent of the area median income are eligible to apply for the apartments, priced from $537/month studio apartments to $2,132/month one-bedroom apartments.
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Affordable Housing

20 mixed-income units available at ODA’s new Lower East Side rental, from $677/month

Rendering courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

March 25, 2022

20 mixed-income units available at ODA’s new Lower East Side rental, from $677/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

Applications are currently being accepted for 20 mixed-income units at a new rental on the Lower East Side designed by notable local architects ODA Architecture. Developed by Nexus Building Development Group, the 16-story mid-rise at 171 Chrystie Street features an intricate geometric design and a prime lower Manhattan location. New Yorkers earning 40, 60, and 130 percent of the area median income, or between $24,789 for a single person and $108,680 for a household of five, are eligible to apply for the apartments, which range from $677/month studios to $2,689/month one-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Popular Articles

New report finds neighborhoods in the Bronx lead the city in missed mortgage payments

Photo by Nelson Mejia Jr. on Flickr

March 24, 2022

New report finds neighborhoods in the Bronx lead the city in missed mortgage payments

By Aaron Ginsburg

Two years after the start of the coronavirus pandemic, Bronx neighborhoods are leading the city in mortgage delinquency rates, according to a new analysis by the Center for NYC Neighborhoods. Plus, the city's majority Black neighborhoods were most at risk for foreclosures, with these ZIP codes having an average of 8.48 percent of homeowners who had failed to make their mortgage payment for more than 30 days, as first reported by The City.
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Lottery opens for 56 rentals in Long Island City’s Dutch Kills neighborhood, from $2,556/month

Rendering courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

March 22, 2022

Lottery opens for 56 rentals in Long Island City’s Dutch Kills neighborhood, from $2,556/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

Applications are currently being accepted for 56 middle-income apartments in Long Island City. Located at 35-05 30th Street in the micro-neighborhood of Dutch Kills, the Dutch House Apartments is a six-story building featuring a host of amenities and easy access to public transportation. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income, or between $87,635 annually for a single person and $167,570 for a family of five, are eligible to apply for the apartments, which range from $2,556/month studios to $3,166/month two-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

Apply for 50 affordable units at new Downtown Brooklyn building, from $947/month

Rendering courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

March 21, 2022

Apply for 50 affordable units at new Downtown Brooklyn building, from $947/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

Fifty low-income units are available at a new residential building in Downtown Brooklyn. Located at 50 Nevins Street, the two-building project was developed by the Institute for Community Living and designed by Dattner Architects. New Yorkers earning 60 percent of the area median income, or between $35,418 annually for a single person or $77,340 for a household of five, are eligible to apply for the apartments, which range from $947/month studios to $1,421/month two-bedrooms.
Do you qualify?

Affordable Housing

36 middle-income units available at new waterfront rental in Astoria, from $2,250/month

Rendering courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

March 18, 2022

36 middle-income units available at new waterfront rental in Astoria, from $2,250/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

A housing lottery opened this week for 36 middle-income units at a new residential development in Queens. Developed by Cape Advisors and designed by Fogarty Finger, Astoria West at 30-77 Vernon Boulevard consists of three buildings across 2.5 acres along the waterfront. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income, or between $77,143 for a single person to $167,570 for a household of five, are eligible to apply for the apartments, which range from $2,250/month one-bedrooms to $2,950/month two-bedrooms.
Find out if you qualify

Affordable Housing

750 spots open on waitlist for Mitchell-Lama Lower East Side co-ops, for sale from $19,677

Streetview of Gouverneur Gardens; © 2022 Google

March 14, 2022

750 spots open on waitlist for Mitchell-Lama Lower East Side co-ops, for sale from $19,677

By Michelle Cohen

Applications are currently being accepted for newly-opened waitlist spots for studios and two-bedroom middle-income units at the Gouverneur Gardens co-op at 305 Madison Street. New Yorkers earning 125 percent of the area median income can apply to purchase apartments in the post-war development on Manhattan's Lower East Side, priced from $19,677 for a studio to $35,418.60 for a two-bedroom.
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Affordable Housing

Project transforming run-down city buildings into ‘green’ affordable housing kicks off in Queens

Courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

March 10, 2022

Project transforming run-down city buildings into ‘green’ affordable housing kicks off in Queens

By Aaron Ginsburg

Mayor Eric Adams on Wednesday announced a milestone has been reached in a major project designed to improve quality of life and tackle the affordable housing crisis in Southeast Queens. Construction has begun on "Habitat Net Zero," a project that will transform 13 run-down buildings owned by the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) into 16 green homes for affordable homeownership.
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How Planter Rob is growing a community of plant lovers & affordable housing advocates in NYC

All images courtesy of Breaking Ground

March 2, 2022

How Planter Rob is growing a community of plant lovers & affordable housing advocates in NYC

By Aaron Ginsburg

Plant entrepreneur Robert Jeffery, aka Planter Rob, recently teamed up with New York's largest supportive housing provider Breaking Ground and plant company The Sill to donate nearly 200 houseplants to residents of Edwin's Place, an affordable housing development in Brownsville, Brooklyn. Jeffery has also started his own "Welcome-Home Plants" program; an initiative that aims to cultivate a diverse community of plant lovers who advocate for affordable housing and reap the benefits plant care brings, like a feeling of belonging and accomplishment. As someone who once faced homelessness, Jeffery can speak on the impact plant care had on his life once he was able to have a place for himself. We spoke with Planter Rob on what influenced him to become involved with houseplants, important issues in the plant community, and how he began his work with Breaking Ground and Edwin's Place.
Meet Planter Rob and learn more about his mission

40 middle-income units available at new Fordham Heights rental, from $1,539/month

Image courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

February 28, 2022

40 middle-income units available at new Fordham Heights rental, from $1,539/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

A housing lottery opened last week for 40 middle-income apartments at a new residential building in the Bronx. Located at 2065-2067 Ryer Avenue in Fordham Heights, the 12-story building is being developed by the UA Builders Group. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income, or between $52,766 annually for a single person to $167,570 for a family of five, are eligible to apply for the apartments, which range from $1,539/month studios to $1,878/month two-bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

Hochul says 190 homes at Inwood Tower will remain affordable for next 30 years

Image courtesy of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

February 25, 2022

Hochul says 190 homes at Inwood Tower will remain affordable for next 30 years

By Aaron Ginsburg

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday announced an agreement with New York State Homes and Community Renewal (NYHCR) to preserve affordability for 30 years for 190 households at Inwood Tower, a Mitchell-Lama cooperative development in Washington Heights. By terms of the agreement, NYHCR will grant the co-op a $7.6 million subsidy loan that the development will use for essential repairs. With this grant, the state has ensured that more than 22,000 Mitchell-Lama apartments remain affordable for low and moderate-income New Yorkers as part of its five-year housing plan.
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Affordable Housing

NYC reaches $2.25M settlement with notorious Crown Heights landlord duo

Streetview of 1214 Dean Street © 2022 Google Maps

February 24, 2022

NYC reaches $2.25M settlement with notorious Crown Heights landlord duo

By Aaron Ginsburg

Mayor Eric Adams and New York Attorney General Letitia James on Wednesday announced a $2.25 million settlement against Gennaro Brooks-Church and Loretta Gendville, who attempted to illegally evict tenants at their Brooklyn property during the pandemic in violation of the state's moratorium, and reportedly ran an illegal hotel operation over the course of several years. By terms of the settlement, the property located at 1214 Dean Street in Crown Heights will be turned over to the city and transformed into affordable housing, with the previous owners paying $250,000 in fines.
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Mayor’s budget comes up short on housing and homelessness, NYC advocates say

Mayor Eric Adams presents New York City’s $98.5 billion Preliminary Budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023. City Hall. Wednesday, February 16, 2022. Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office via Flickr.

February 23, 2022

Mayor’s budget comes up short on housing and homelessness, NYC advocates say

By Michelle Cohen

Mayor Eric Adams released the city's preliminary budget for fiscal year 2023 last Wednesday, placing emphasis on public safety, employment, and aiding the plight of the city's youngest residents by addressing childcare and at-risk youth. While the mayor's safety-focused policy actions–prohibiting homeless people from sleeping in subway stations, for example–made headlines, advocates for equitable housing and the homeless say the proposed budget is a disappointment without a previously promised focus on those basic needs.
More on where the money's going, this way

Apply for 95 middle-income units at Jamaica rental with sweeping skyline views, from $1,550/month

Images courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

February 22, 2022

Apply for 95 middle-income units at Jamaica rental with sweeping skyline views, from $1,550/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

Nearly 100 new middle-income units are up for grabs at a new residential tower in Queens. Located at 160-05 Archer Ave in Jamaica, One Archer provides its residents with easy access to Manhattan and a wide variety of amenities, including a rooftop with impressive views. New Yorkers earning 130 percent of the area median income, or between $54,858 annually for a single person or $167,570 annually for a family of five, are eligible to apply for the apartments, which range from $1,550/month studios to $2,345/month two-bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

Apply for 125 mixed-income units on Greenpoint’s waterfront, from $1,437/month

Renderings courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

February 18, 2022

Apply for 125 mixed-income units on Greenpoint’s waterfront, from $1,437/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

A housing lottery opened this week for 125 mixed-income units at a new residential tower on the Brooklyn waterfront. Located at 1 Bell Slip in Greenpoint, the 31-story building offers its residents a host of luxury-style amenities and breathtaking views of the city skyline. New Yorkers earning 80, 125, and 130 percent of the area median income are eligible to apply for the apartments, which range from $1,437/month studios to $3,397/month two-bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

Former illegal Upper West Side hotel will become apartments for homeless and low income residents

Streetview of 258 West 97th Street © 2022 Google

February 16, 2022

Former illegal Upper West Side hotel will become apartments for homeless and low income residents

By Michelle Cohen

As part of a larger plan to create much-needed affordable housing, Mayor Eric Adams has expressed his support for converting hotels to residential units. In the first such attempt by his administration, Adams announced on Monday plans to convert what had been an illegal hotel at 258 West 97th Street on the Upper West Side into 80 new units of housing primarily for formerly homeless and low-income New Yorkers.
More on illegal hotels and new housing

Lottery opens for middle-income units at new Bronx rental near Yankee Stadium, from $1,600/month

Rendering courtesy of the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development

February 15, 2022

Lottery opens for middle-income units at new Bronx rental near Yankee Stadium, from $1,600/month

By Aaron Ginsburg

A housing lottery opened this week for 32 middle-income units in a new 10-story residential building in the Bronx. Located at 1073 Summit Avenue in Highbridge, the building is designed by Marin Architects and developed by Stagg Group. New Yorkers earning 120 percent of the area median income, or between $54,858 annually for a single person to $154,680 annually for a family of five, are eligible to apply for the units, priced at $1,600/month for studios, $1,700/month for one-bedrooms, and $1,900/month for two-bedrooms.
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Affordable Housing

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