NYC Council passes Mayor Adams’ controversial ‘City of Yes’ housing plan

The City Council on Thursday passed Mayor Eric Adams’ controversial and ambitious plan to build 80,000 new housing units across the Big Apple over the next 15 years.

The initiative — known as “City of Yes” — was approved in a 31-20 vote after months of tense negotiations in City Hall as Hizzoner seeks to address the city’s housing and affordability crisis.

The new legislation — which includes a $5 billion investment to build tens of thousands of new dwellings — aims, in part, to add more homes in basements and above stores by adjusting a massive slate of zoning rules for the first time in decades.

The new legislation — which includes a $5 billion investment to build tens of thousands of new dwellings — aims, in part, to add more homes in basements and above stores by adjusting a massive slate of zoning rules for the first time in decades.

Still, more than a dozen council members attempted to veto the plan — arguing their districts didn’t have the infrastructure to support such population growth and fears from locals that the “character of their neighborhoods” would change. Queens councilman Bob Holden, also a Democrat, added that the plan is “a developer’s dream and a neighborhood’s nightmare.” You can read more here. 

“Today is a historic day in New York City, but, more importantly, for working-class New Yorkers. We showed the nation that the government can still be bold and brave by passing the most pro-housing piece of legislation in city history,” Adams said after the vote.