New York City Council Proposes Major One LIC Plan for Affordable Housing and Community Resilience

The New York City Council convened on November 12, 2025, to discuss the One LIC neighborhood plan, a significant initiative aimed at reshaping Long Island City. This plan, proposed by Council Member Julie Won, seeks to facilitate the development of nearly 15,000 new homes while ensuring that around 4,350 of those units are designated as affordable housing. The council expects to upgrade approximately 54 blocks, marking the largest zoning change in two decades.

The One LIC plan emphasizes community investment alongside housing development, proposing funding for new public schools, local public housing developments, parks, and infrastructure improvements. The plan also aims to create nearly 3.8 million square feet of commercial and community space, supporting the local economy and providing diverse jobs for residents (Source: https://youtu.be/PW3HRmXpeEE&t=85).

Council Member Won highlighted that the plan incorporates direct feedback from over 4,200 community comments collected during a 17-month engagement process. Residents expressed a strong desire for permanently affordable housing options to combat displacement, particularly for low-income families and seniors (Source: https://youtu.be/Efmwv6Scf7A&t=1182). The initiative marks a crucial effort to enforce permanent income-restricted housing for the first time in Long Island City, addressing the area’s current housing crisis by expanding affordable options for various income levels (Source: https://youtu.be/Efmwv6Scf7A&t=946).

Furthermore, residents voiced concerns about climate resilience and the need for improved infrastructure, which the plan aims to address through proposed stormwater management strategies to mitigate flooding and climate change impacts (Source: https://youtu.be/Efmwv6Scf7A&t=1101). The plan also includes provisions for enhancing parks and public spaces, focusing on creating recreational areas that serve both existing and future community members (Source: https://youtu.be/Efmwv6Scf7A&t=1182).

In an earlier discussion, the City Council emphasized the importance of public engagement throughout the planning process. Ongoing community involvement in the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) will continue to shape the project as it evolves and develops (Source: https://getlocalpost.com/2025/04/17/long-island-citys-onelic-plan-a-blueprint-for-affordable-housing-and-resilient-community-transformation/). Ultimately, the One LIC neighborhood plan seeks to create a balanced development model that meets the growing needs of Long Island City while preserving its unique community character.