Mayor Adams Addresses NYC Housing Crisis with Charter Reforms

Mayor Eric Adams provided insights on the ongoing housing crisis in New York City during a media availability held on January 7, 2025. He emphasized the important role of the newly formed charter revision commission, chaired by Rich Bury from the Robin Hood Foundation, in addressing housing issues as part of its mandate to reevaluate the city’s charter.

Adams noted that the commission will explore potential reforms aimed at alleviating the city’s housing shortages. He pointed out the city is grappling with outdated housing laws that hinder the development of new housing units. Under the previous administration, initiatives such as the 24 and 24 plan aimed to introduce 24 affordable housing projects, but the current administration has surpassed this target, contributing to the construction of 12,000 housing units across the five boroughs (Source: https://youtu.be/guf7sYbd2wM&t=559).

During the meeting, the mayor stressed the urgency of addressing the housing crisis, stating, “No one can say we should not be doing something about the housing crisis that we’re facing.” He indicated that the charter revision commission would hold its first public meeting shortly to engage with stakeholders and gather input on pressing housing challenges.

Furthermore, Adams mentioned that the commission’s independent nature allows it to operate without influence from political agendas, similar to its previous iteration. He expressed optimism that the commission could develop innovative solutions for housing affordability, which remains a critical aspect of urban planning in New York City.

External discussions indicate a severe scarcity of deeply affordable housing options in neighborhoods across the city, as many residents express concerns over being priced out (Source: https://youtu.be/guf7sYbd2wM&t=559). In light of this context, the mayor’s plans for more aggressive housing approaches signal a pivotal shift towards addressing the increasing demand for affordable living options, as the city continues its extensive efforts to tackle this overarching issue.