Mayor de Blasio Raises the Stakes on Housing Affordability

Mayor Bill de Blasio's recent State of the City address broke with tradition and voiced an impassioned plea regarding to housing affordability.

1 minute read

February 16, 2017, 5:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


de Blasio Administration

Joe Tabacca / Shutterstock

"In an election year and amid an extraordinary shift in the nation's political climate, Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday night split from his formula for State of the City speeches, delivering a lofty, not fully scripted and sometimes rambling address on the city’s growing 'affordability crisis,'" writes Laura Nahmias.

According to Nahmias, Mayor de Blasio's speech lacked the specifics and proposed policies of traditional State of the City addresses. The mayor's impassioned speech offered at least one memorable phrase on the subject of housing affordability: "This affordability crisis threatens who we are. It threatens the very soul of this city," said Mayor de Blasio.

Among the specifics included in Mayor de Blasio's speech were actions on jobs and the plan to retrofit public building in the city for energy efficiency.

Monday, February 13, 2017 in Politico New York

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 16, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Passengers board an Amtrak train under a cloudy sky.

Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement

The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.

September 18, 2026 - Mass Transit

The Gross Reservoir, a large body of water surrounded by trees and mountains.

Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion

Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.

September 18, 2026 - Inside Climate News

A painted bus lane in NYC.

NYC DOT wants faster, more permanent street upgrades

The city is examining ways to build more concrete infrastructure without getting entangled in 'decades-long' projects.

September 21 - NYC Streetsblog

A woman looks at a utility bill.

'Something we’ve never seen before:' rising utility rates could strain city finances nationwide

Data centers, climate change and other factors have caused utility rates in the United States to increase by 38% since 2020.

September 21 - Smart Cities Dive

A person scuba diving in a coral reef off Guam.

Trump to overrule local leaders, lease millions of acres of America’s Pacific Island territories’ seafloors to mining companies

International law says that the Indigenous people of America’s territories have a right to prior and informed consent regarding projects that impact their countries.

September 21 - Grist