Harlem Lawmakers Calls Use of Term ‘Affordable Housing’ a ‘Lie’
(DNAINFO) Gustavo Solis | November 5, 2015 — The economic yardstick used to determine eligibility for affordable housing is a sham, State Senator Bill Perkins said Thursday.
“It is becoming more and more of a lie than just a term of art. It is becoming more and more of a misnomer that hides the truth of who is and who is not going to be the beneficiary of taxes-payers’ dollars that generally speaking go to allowing developers to build affordable housing.”
The city determines affordability by the Area Mean Income (AMI), which is set forth by the federal government. The AMI of the five boroughs also includes Putnamn, Rockland and Westchester counties. Because those counties have higher median incomes than the city, the income limits are higher than they would be if the area would be restricted to the city, according to the mayor’s affordable housing plan.