City Hall Meeting Highlights Ocean Crest Project Aiming for 89 Affordable Housing Units in Queens

Public hearings on zoning and development proposals took place at City Hall on June 5, 2025, with a focus on various projects aimed at addressing New York City’s affordable housing crisis. One key proposal discussed was the Ocean Crest project, an 89-unit development planned for Queens, seeking approval for an Article 11 tax exemption to facilitate its construction.

During the meeting, Jesse Battis, the applicant representing the project, emphasized Ocean Crest’s designation as a 100% affordable home ownership development. This project previously received approval from the city council in August 2023 and is set to be financed under the Department of Housing Preservation and Development’s Open Door program, aimed at making homeownership accessible to moderate and middle-income households (Source: https://youtu.be/UFo73-rsHCM&t=468).

Battis noted that the project team aims to maintain affordability through a structured financing model, which will help ensure that the units remain accessible to those in need (Source: https://youtu.be/UFo73-rsHCM&t=468). The council members acknowledged the necessity of such developments given the current housing crisis, underscoring the importance of ensuring that new projects incorporate community feedback and address local needs effectively (Source: https://youtu.be/UFo73-rsHCM&t=468).

Additionally, public testimony during the hearings raised concerns about the affordability measures in place for developments across the city. Activists urged the city to commit to 100% affordable housing on public parcels, as many low-income families struggle to find sustainable housing (Source: https://youtu.be/1l2sgHczELk&t=2752). Some attendees pointed out that the current proposals and funding frameworks may not be sufficient to address the growing disparities in affordability.

In earlier coverage, city officials highlighted the urgent need for housing solutions, noting that the city faces a vacancy rate of only 1.4%, emphasizing the need for new units that cater to lower-income families (Source: https://getlocalpost.com/2025/05/02/queens-development-plans-aim-to-provide-216-new-affordable-housing-units-amid-crisis/). Concerns over local infrastructure’s capability to accommodate new developments also emerged, with stakeholders questioning whether schools and public transportation could handle an influx of residents (Source: https://getlocalpost.com/2025/05/02/new-mixed-use-development-proposal-promises-affordable-housing-amid-community-concerns-in-queens/).

As New York City grapples with its housing crisis, the responsibilities now lie with city planners, developers, and community advocates to work collaboratively to facilitate projects like Ocean Crest while ensuring that affordability remains a priority. The final decisions on these proposals will shape the future of housing availability and economic vitality in the boroughs, making community engagement imperative throughout the development process.