Mayor Bill de Blasio defended his administration’s proposal to build market rate housing on public land, fending off accusations that it closely resembles a Bloomberg-era plan that was defeated in the face of a public housing tenant revolt.
At a press conference, the mayor emphasized the greater focus on affordable housing in his plan to build on New York City Housing Authority land.
De Blasio’s Next Generation NYCHA proposal would price half of the 7,500 planned units at market rate, with the remaining half designated as affordable housing. Bloomberg’s plan had called for 80 percent market rate units.
De Blasio also stressed the differences in implementation.
“That’s another thing that I did not think was being done properly under the previous administration,” said the mayor. “I don’t think there was serious engagement with community members and residents to figure out what they needed.”
The city plans to announce the sites chosen for the project over the next few weeks. [Politico] – Ariel Stulberg