New Yorkers Demand City End ‘Backdoor Deals,’ Hold Developers Accountable
(DNAINFO) Danielle Tcholakian | December 16, 2015 — The city can’t keep giving away subsidies and tax breaks to developers if it is not equipped to hold them accountable for affordable housing and other promises made in exchange, community leaders and residents said Wednesday at a City Planning Commission hearing.
Hundreds of New Yorkers turned out to tell city officials what they think of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s two rezoning proposals, which are designed to create 80,000 units of new affordable housing and preserve another 120,000 existing units.
One proposal, Zoning for Quality and Affordability, would increase existing limits on building heights in the hope of encouraging developers to produce affordable and senior housing.