Council loses final say on affordable housing in 12 low-building districts

What happened

City & State New York reported on October 13, 2026 that many New York City Council members are unhappy with a new fast track for affordable housing. The fast track was created by a 2025 city ballot proposal that voters approved. It applies to the 12 community districts with the lowest rate of affordable housing construction over the past five years, as calculated by the Department of City Planning.

Under the normal land use review, called ULURP, a project goes to the community board and then the borough president for nonbinding input. It then goes to the City Planning Commission for a vote and finally to the City Council. The local council member usually has informal sway through a practice called member deference. Starting in January, qualifying affordable projects in the 12 listed districts can skip council approval. The community board and borough president review at the same time instead of one after the other. Environmental review and landmark protection requirements still apply.

The 12 districts produced 724 affordable units over the past five years, just over 1% of the citywide total. Bronx Community District 5 built 4,058 units, more than five times the 12 districts combined. The Bronx was the only borough with no district on the list. Queens had the most. The affected districts touch more than a third of council members. City & State contacted 29 of them and found frustration from both parties. Council Member Frank Morano said he is talking with attorneys and working toward a lawsuit. Council Member Shaun Abreu said he supports the fast track.

Some members are acting first. Council Member Kayla Santosuosso of Bay Ridge, whose community district is the lowest producer, is working on a rezoning of a nearly 10-block area of auto repair shops and empty lots. One part would turn a former Staples store into an 11-story apartment building. Half its units would be two- to three-bedroom family apartments, and it would have 200 underground parking spots. Critics objected that the first version had more apartments and fewer parking spots.