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Topics / Housing
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The Topic
Housing refers to all dwellings in NYC - from luxury condos with views of the Park to battered in-rem apartments in the South Bronx - and the laws and policy disputes that they produce.
The Context
The percentage of vacant and available housing stock in NYC has never exceeded 4.01%. This extraordinary housing scarcity makes for the highest rents in the US. Unlike citizens of most big American cities, where slightly over half of units are owner-occupied, more than two-thirds of New Yorkers are renters. And - bucking the national trend again - more than two-thirds of New York apartments are rent-regulated in some way. The housing crunch shows no sign of easing up, as new construction is impeded by the highest building costs in the nation. Of the little new construction that does occur in NYC, the vast majority takes advantage of some government subsidy or exemption. Also to note: the city within a city that is New York's 170,000 units of public housing - by far the largest amount of public housing anywhere in America.

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Olympic-Sized Infrastructure
A new brief from the Center for an Urban Future argues New York City and the country must invest in its urban infrastructure to compete in a global economy. According to the center, the northeast region could see an additional 18 million residents by 2050. As China begins to invest in its infrastructure, the brief argues New York must make a similar investment to keep up. (August 27, 2008)

The High Costs of Building
The expense of building in New York City contributes to the shortage of affordable housing, according to "Raise the Roof, Lower the Costs," a new report by the Center for Rethinking Development, part of the Manhattan Institute. In the report, Rosemary Scanlon identifies some of the factors that contribute to the high costs of construction here and suggests ways she thinks the city could help bring down those costs, such as enacting zoning changes, reducing delays by speeding the city's permit process and allowing for the use of non-union labor. (August 25, 2008)

Construction Costs
Non-residential construction costs in the city are much higher than similar construction in other large cities across the nation, according to an analysis by the New York Building Congress. The report finds that New York is over 60 percent more expensive than Dallas; 50 percent more than Atlanta; 25 percent more than Seattle; and 20 percent more than Los Angeles. Costs are now 50 percent higher than four years ago, it said. (August 14, 2008)

July Foreclosures
Foreclosures in the city during July rose 67 percent over the same period last year according, to Property Shark. The number of foreclosures was a two year high, the report found. Of the four areas studied, New York saw the lowest increase, while Los Angeles saw the highest, with a 249 percent rise. One in every 10,000 homes were scheduled for foreclosure auction in New York while in Los Angeles one in every 526 were scheduled. (August 8, 2008)

Shelter Denied Too Often
A new report from Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum contends the city's Department of Homeless Services may make frequent errors when denying families overnight shelter. The report, which profiles several families that were denied shelter by the city, says of the 278 families that were denied shelter between October 2007 and February 2008, 61 percent were later found eligible. The report recommends the city discontinue the denial of shelter to families who apply again for overnight stay after 5 p.m. (August 6, 2008)

New York City's Housing and Vacancy Survey
Every three years or so the US Census Bureau provides New York City with a census-type survey of the city's households. Mandated by the rent regulation law, it contains much that is of interest to those concerned with social and economic change at the borough and neighborhood level. A compact disc containing the microdata files for the 1991, 1993 and 1996 surveys can be purchased from the Census Bureau. The 1999 survey tables and data re available for download.
Public Housing Spotlight
A project of former and current employees of the Housing Authority, dishes up both proven and rumored dirt on NYCHA. Copies of Spotlight are considered contraband in NYCHA's offices. For the flip side, see the NYCHA site.
Council of New York Cooperatives & Condominiums
CNYC's site for co-op and condo dwellers provides many services, including comparative survey information to help boards determine if their buildings are operating efficiently, information about insurance discounts and other perks available to co-operators.
Save Mitchell-Lama
Information about pre-1974 Mitchell-Lama rental buildings. These go into rent stabilization on leaving Mitchell-Lama, but are subject to a huge increase in the starting rent based on a court decision (now under appeal). ALSO includes tips for fostering tenant associations within buildings, and news on Mitchell-Lama related events.
NYC Housing Authority
The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) provides decent and affordable housing in a safe and secure living environment for low- and moderate-income residents throughout the five boroughs. NYCHA also administers a citywide Section 8 Leased Housing Program in rental apartments. NYCHA administers both public housing and the Department of Buildings.
City Limits
Investigative reporting about housing and other issues facing New York's low-income communities for 22 years. Archives available to 1996.
Tenants & Neighbors
Tenants & Neighbors is a 30-year old organization of tenants, tenant associations, and other organizations that fight for tenants' rights and affordable housing for all people. We work in rent controlled, rent stabilized, Mitchell-Lama, federal Section 8, and public housing throughout the state. Our power and effectiveness comes from over 18,000 members.
The Supers Technical Association of New York
The Supers Technical Association of New York has a plain looking but full web site targeted at building supers in New York City, including job listings, a collection of books of interest to the super, and a glossary of jargon. The site also has weekly featured Web sites and a handyman tip of the week. There's even a section of super jokes (which, you will find, is a misnomer).
Mr. Landlord
The Internet Resource for Landlords and Landladies. This comprehensive site offers a wealth of resources and free advice on do-it-yourself rental property management. Visitors can find help with setting up a webpage for their own rental ads or locating sample rent agreement forms. Its services also include a Q&A interactive discussion among fellow landlords; tax, mortgage and rent calculators; and a free weekly e-newsletter on management techniques.
The Cooperator
Free online magazine for co-op and condo dwellers. Articles on current news affecting co-ops and condos, such as utilities deregulation or indictments of corrupt management companies, change monthly. Includes helpful Q&A sections in which tenant questions are answered by lawyers and accountants, and a reference library of detailed advice on topics such as building finance or selling your unit.

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