New Yorkers are facing a worsening housing crisis exacerbated by reckless taxes, rising crime, and an ignorant City Council. Families are fleeing our neighborhoods while our city fails them time after time.

 

The rate of homelessness has skyrocketed across the 5 boroughs, putting many at risk of violence and economic insecurity. Record-high tax rates and burdensome regulations imposed on individual prospective home buyers, landlords, and potential developers are scaring away any prospects for durable, affordable, and safe housing options open to all in need. Now with costs and inflation at untenable levels, housing is simply too expensive and out of reach for many families and residents seeking shelter. 

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We need to take advantage of the economic strength and political capabilities of our city at a time that our ability to provide adequate shelter is tested. Our modern challenges require us to be proactive and not reactive in ensuring that all New Yorkers can access 21st-century-standard housing. Redundant and stifling bureaucratic regulations must be simplified to ensure everyone can readily access housing in our neighborhoods. By creating and enhancing public-private partnerships coupled with incentive-based programs for homeowners, landlords, developers, and buyers, we can restore Astoria’s stature as a haven for any seeking cost-effective shelter in New York City. My plan to incentivize and realize these goals includes:

 

1. Reforming our Zoning Regulations to Incentivize the Construction of Affordable Housing.  This would include reevaluating areas still considered “manufacturing” zones while maintaining the integrity and community appeal of our local neighborhoods. This would allow for smart and innovative expansion to open up more housing for middle and low-income families.

2. Streamlining the Permit and Regulatory Compliance Process with a” One-Stop-Shop” City Agency

3. Roll Back Local Law 97 or Pass Intro 913 which would delay, by 7 years, all requirements and related penalties created by Local Law 97 pertaining to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by buildings.

4. Working to incentivize First-Time Home Buyers by rolling back the burdensome city mansion and mortgage recording taxes.

5. Raising the purchase price to $2M for the administration of the 1% Mansion Tax while also lowering the NYC Transfer Tax from 1.45% to 1% for sales under $1.5M.

6. Providing a Property Tax Deduction for Seniors with Household Income Below $75,000

7. Implementing a 2% Cap on NYC’s Annual Tax Levy for Families and Individuals Earning Below $100,000

8. Incentivizing rent-stabilized landlords with assistance programs geared towards capital improvements and rising costs of maintenance so they can continue to provide and make available necessary low-regulated rental apartments instead of warehousing and keeping them off the market. 

9. Reinstating and improving upon the J-51 tax incentive and abatement to promote the development of multiple-dwelling affordable housing focussing on the renovation of rundown residential properties or the conversion of commercial structures into affordable housing.

10. Fighting for Increased Police Presence In and Around Populated Establishments Including Schools and Subway Platforms Across Our District

11. Creating More Opportunities For Public Events/Meetings With Local Precincts to Bolster Community-Law Enforcement Relationships