Open New York
@OpenNYForAll
Grassroots nonprofit fighting for more homes for all New Yorkers
Last night, we saw a stunning referendum on the cost of living both up and down the ballot. 10 of our 12 endorsed candidates are now leading in their primaries. If all are elected in November, one-fifth of @NYCCouncil would be pro-housing for the first time.
Opinion | This November, New Yorkers have a rare chance to reshape the rules that have let NIMBYs stall housing production for decades. cityandstateny.com/opinion/2025/0…
“The numbers are particularly sobering for affordable housing: in the past two years, the top ten City Council districts added 751 units of affordable housing on average each year, while the bottom ten averaged only three units.”
Opinion | This November, New Yorkers have a rare chance to reshape the rules that have let NIMBYs stall housing production for decades. cityandstateny.com/opinion/2025/0…
One of the most exciting things about these charter revisions under a Zohran administration is the potential to build an insane amount of social housing quite quickly by empowering the city to build publicly financed housing without going through years of approval processes.
Question 1 - Fast Tracking Affordable Housing: Creates a simpler and faster approval process for publicly funded affordable housing. It also speeds up housing approvals in neighborhoods that haven't built enough affordable homes, in line with the Speaker's Fair Housing Framework.
Thanks for reposting! I would add: after I wrote this op-ed, an anonymous, pro-Trump X account made a deeply offensive meme of me as a "YIMBY Nazi." Dems who oppose these reforms should think carefully about the team with which they are affiliating.
“Today, the Charter constrains our ability to build new homes in the places New Yorkers most want to live. Every project, no matter how small, must go through the same expensive, years-long approval process,” said @AnnemarieGray
Decentralization of land use authority is *the most significant driver* of NYC's affordable housing crisis. A strong state that can make clear, rational decisions with input from the community needs to eliminate hyperlocal governance veto points like this. This is how good…
The Charter Commission’s Final Report significantly weakens the City Council’s role in land use decisions. This shift toward executive control undermines democratic oversight and meaningful public engagement. I stand with my colleagues who are fighting back. Our statement below:
Precisely. Far too many New Yorkers have behaved as though our beloved city is just for some of us and not for all of us. It’s time to free the Council of the yoke of small-mindedness so that we can deliver on the promise of being a city of opportunity for working people.
Decentralization of land use authority is *the most significant driver* of NYC's affordable housing crisis. A strong state that can make clear, rational decisions with input from the community needs to eliminate hyperlocal governance veto points like this. This is how good…
“Since 2022, ~3,550 units have been lost as a result of Council modifications to the scale or the withdrawal of housing proposals in the face of opposition…The most significant consequence of member deference is the projects that are never even proposed.”
This issue transcends party lines and must be opposed by the entire council. The land use proposals by the charter commission represent a fundamentally undemocratic power grab and dramatically weakens the voice of ordinary New Yorkers who deserve a say in their neighborhood. We…
This issue transcends party lines and must be opposed by the entire council. The land use proposals by the charter commission represent a fundamentally undemocratic power grab and dramatically weakens the voice of ordinary New Yorkers who deserve a say in their neighborhood. We…
“We agree that more housing should be built and every district is working towards that end” says the CM whose district is dead last in affordable housing 🤔 If Vickie wanted affordable housing, she’d have affordable housing in her district. We must hold bad actors accountable.
This issue transcends party lines and must be opposed by the entire council. The land use proposals by the charter commission represent a fundamentally undemocratic power grab and dramatically weakens the voice of ordinary New Yorkers who deserve a say in their neighborhood. We…
This November, NYC voters will also be voting on five ballot measures. See them below!!
The Charter Revision Commission just approved the 5 questions that will be on ballots for NYC voters this November! This includes 4 housing questions, which would collectively represent a huge step forward for affordability in New York. 🧵
Yes!
The Charter Revision Commission just approved the 5 questions that will be on ballots for NYC voters this November! This includes 4 housing questions, which would collectively represent a huge step forward for affordability in New York. 🧵