Beset by daunting challenges, and a summer of stinging articles and reports, the chairman of the New York City Housing Authority has announced a controversial plan to raise hundreds of millions of dollars by leasing land to private developers.
At a breakfast event this week, , chairman of NYCHA, announced plans to "squeeze hundreds of millions of dollars out of parking lots, walkways, open spaces and other areas," reports David W. Chen. With a maintenance backlog topping $6 billion, the potential for hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue could solve some, but certainly not all, of the agency's considerable challenges.
"Under the plan, which would take several years, the housing authority
would lease land to private developers, who would then come up with
projects featuring a mixture of apartments and commercial and retail
space," notes Chen. "At least 1,000 of those apartments - or perhaps 20 percent of all
the units, according to housing advocates - would be set aside for low-
and moderate-income families."
While the city's leading elected officials were guardedly optimistic, "Judith Goldiner, attorney in charge of civil law
reform at the Legal Aid Society, voiced some misgivings."
"We are concerned that the development proposed will not be affordable
to Nycha residents, that Nycha is not consulting with the community as a
whole and that losing open space in dense high-rise communities will
have a negative impact on the public-housing community," she said.
FULL STORY: Housing Authority Leader Offers Plan to Raise Money
New York Public Housing Needs $78 Billion in Repairs
A new assessment from the city’s housing agency calls for $60 billion in needed repairs over the next five years.
Private Developers to Renovate NYC Public Housing
A consortium of developers have secured a $600-million loan to renovate more than 1,600 units in the New York City Housing Authority's portfolio.
Alarm Bells Sounded for New York City Housing Authority's Emergency Preparedness
While much of New York City is actively planning and designing resilience into its systems, a city audit pulled all the alarms in its assessment of the New York City Housing Authority's emergency preparedness.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
The Five Most-Changed American Cities
A ranking of population change, home values, and jobs highlights the nation’s most dynamic and most stagnant regions.
Op-Ed: Why Mobility Is Political
The freedom to move remains unevenly distributed between people of different backgrounds.
Bringing Community Voices Into Renewable Energy Planning
The MIT Renewable Energy Clinic helps coastal communities navigate the complexities of offshore wind development through neutral, inclusive engagement that surfaces local concerns and supports fair decision-making.
Creating Ocean-Safe Plastic from Seashells
USC researchers have created a biodegradable, marine-safe plastic alternative using calcium carbonate from seashells, offering a promising solution to ocean pollution.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions