I am writing today to ask that you advance the bill (S2276/A1075) which would authorize New York City to establish a program to convert dwellings in basements and cellars into safe and legal housing.
As a result of zoning laws formulated decades ago, single-family zoning has been a contributing factor in racial and economic segregation, urban sprawl, and limited affordable housing. Given NYC’s extreme lack of affordable housing, many single-family homeowners have resorted to illegally converting their homes to multifamily use. This is an arrangement that provides additional sources of income to homeowners and lower rents for the rentee, but not without great risk to tenants. The restrictive zoning laws have come under increased scrutiny, particularly after many tragic fatalities in illegally converted apartments from fires and flooding caused by Hurricane Ida. S2276/A1075 will allow for increased density and affordability which is a step in solving these interdependent issues.
The bill has the support of Mayor Eric Adams, City Comptroller Brad Lander, and a coalition of groups including AARP New York, the BASE Campaign, Chhaya CDC, Citizens Housing & Planning Council, Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation, Pratt Center for Community Development, Queens Legal Services, the Center for NYC Neighborhoods, Housing Justice for All, and the Regional Plan Association. (Kavanaugh/Epstein Press release)
Please support this much-needed legislation!
