Neighbors call for affordable housing at NYC vacant buildings, empty lots
THE BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11) — For more than two decades, an empty building along Belmont Avenue has been a reminder of the city’s affordable housing problem.
Another house down the block caught fire after being inhabited by squatters.
“It’s a danger zone, and there’s rats. They need to knock it down and build. We have a housing shortage,” said neighbors.
Some new proposals to speed up projects are being introduced. Neighbors said they can have a bigger role in the process.
The Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition is leading the effort to give more options to residents.
Community Land Trusts are currently an option for nonprofits. They can work to put together properties for purchase and development.
The property on Belmont Avenue, along with two others in the area along East 180th Street in the Bronx, is on track to become 30 units of affordable housing. The project is seeking construction loans, and some funding has been identified.
New legislation could expand the program and give local neighbors and community groups more of a role, including prioritizing property purchases.
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“Right now, the status quo in the city is private developers. Rather than going to a developer who sits on the land until the conditions are good for them, someone who’s invested in the area will have an opportunity to take ownership,” said the Coalition’s Community Project Manager, Todd Baker.
Changes to sales of tax lien are also being considered. This week, the Adams administration announced some new zoning proposals as part of ongoing planning revisions. City council members and speaker Adrienne Adams continue to work on legislation.
“Our city’s housing and affordability crisis is top of mind for New Yorkers and the City Council through efforts like the speaker’s housing agenda, budget advocacy to include capital funding for creating and preserving housing, and pursuit of deeply affordable units in land use projects,” wrote a spokesperson for Council Speaker Adrienne Adams.
Regulations and department roles have been changed. The city is identifying city-owned property and vacant lots that could become affordable housing.
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