New York, NY— Real Affordability for All, a coalition representing many thousands of New Yorkers, released the following statement about the deal between Mayor de Blasio and the New York City Council to increase affordability in new housing built in rezoned neighborhoods:
“This is a major victory for our coalition and for countless New Yorkers. Through intense advocacy and organizing, we demanded a better plan with deeper affordability, and that’s what the New York City Council has secured. We are very grateful to City Council Members Jumaane Williams, Ritchie Torres, Donovan Richards, and Ben Kallos for their tireless leadership on behalf of the most vulnerable low-income New Yorkers. They played a crucial role in securing a stronger, more robust affordable housing and rezoning plan,” said Maritza Silva-Farrell, Campaign Director of Real Affordability for All.
“Today is a big step forward, but more must be done to protect and preserve real affordable communities in our city. That’s why we are developing a study with City Hall that will identify specific ways to achieve even deeper affordability and job standards in new housing planned for rezoned neighborhoods. We want to ensure that at least 50 percent of all new housing is affordable to current residents and built with union labor. More low-income New Yorkers should gain access to union construction jobs and careers building new housing they can actually afford,” said Silva-Farrell, Campaign Director of Real Affordability for All.