New York City Mayor Eric Adams is encountering opposition from his usual City Council allies over his ambitious ‘City of Yes’ housing plan. The proposal aims to increase housing across all five boroughs, but faces resistance from both centrist Democrats and conservative neighborhoods. Adams now looks to progressive members for support, highlighting the complexities of navigating New York City’s political landscape.
NEW YORK — Mayor Eric Adams is facing a challenging political landscape as he pushes forward with his ‘City of Yes’ housing plan. The proposal, which aims to increase housing development across all five boroughs, has sparked controversy, particularly in outer-borough neighborhoods where residents and elected officials are concerned about potential changes to their communities.Adams’ plan seeks to encourage the construction of small apartment buildings in suburban areas, eliminate parking requirements, and ease the conversion of basements and garages into housing. These measures are designed to address the city’s severe housing shortage and high costs. However, the initiative has met with strong opposition from areas traditionally aligned with Adams’ centrist political stance, such as southeast Queens and south Brooklyn.Conservative Democrats like Council Member Bob Holden have voiced strong objections, fearing the plan could overburden local infrastructure and alter the character of their neighborhoods. Holden, representing a low-density area in Queens, expressed his frustration, stating, “It is so outrageous that they’re doing this, as you can see I’m livid.”Despite resistance from his usual allies, Adams may find an unexpected coalition in the progressive members of the City Council, who generally oppose him on other issues. Council members representing areas like Williamsburg, Gowanus, and Long Island City, where there is more openness to housing development, could provide critical support. Lincoln Restler, a progressive council member, emphasized the need for more affordable housing and urged the administration not to compromise on the plan.Adams faces a difficult balancing act as he attempts to gather the necessary support for his proposal. The plan’s success will require overcoming skepticism from various council members and addressing concerns about parking mandates and neighborhood character. With a re-election campaign on the horizon, Adams’ ability to navigate these political complexities will be crucial.Deputy Mayor for Housing Maria Torres-Springer highlighted the administration’s efforts to gain backing for the plan, including outreach to community leaders and public messaging about addressing historical inequities in housing. Adams’ administration argues that modest growth in all neighborhoods is essential to tackling the housing crisis and that the plan is a step towards more equitable housing opportunities for all New Yorkers.
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