Senate Bill S894

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S894

SPONSOR: HOYLMAN
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the multiple dwelling law, in relation to prohibiting
the issuance of a permit for the construction of a new multiple dwelling
unless the multiple dwelling contains the minimum number of dwelling
units required for the lot

 
PURPOSE:

To prevent the erosion of New York's housing supply by requiring the
maintenance of the number of previously existing dwelling units in newly
approved multiple dwelling construction

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 1 prevents departments enforcing the multiple dwelling law from
issuing permits for the construction of new multiple dwellings unless
multiple dwelling contains the minimum number of dwelling units required
for the lot or lots on which the multiple dwelling will be constructed.
              

The minimum number of dwelling units required shall be the lesser of:

a. the total number of dwelling units in all buildings that existed on
the lot or lots prior to any such building's demolition for the
construction of the new multiple dwelling, including any units that had
been a dwelling unit at any time but were converted to non-residential
use; or

b. the maximum number of dwelling units that would be permitted by rele-
vant local zoning and building codes.

Section 2 provides the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

New York is experiencing a housing crisis. Rents are higher than ever,
with the median rent in Manhattan breaking $4,000 in June 2022.  Home-
lessness in New York City is also at historic levels, with over 52,000
homeless individuals in July 2022, including almost 17,000 children.

New York desperately needs more housing supply, especially at affordable
levels, but in many parts of New York City, we are actually losing hous-
ing due to new construction. Developers seeking the highest profits are
constructing massive luxury condos, replacing many more affordable
units. For example, at 15 West 96th Street, a developer is building a
321-foot tower with only 21 condo units on a site that previously
contained townhouses with 30 rental apartments, a net loss of 9 housing
units on a site that would have supported up to 66 units under the
zoning law. Nearby, developers plan to demolish 128 rental units on West
84th Street and construct a 210-foot tower with only 45 apartments, a
net loss of 83 homes on a lot that could have supported 220 apartments
under the zoning law.

This bill will put a stop to the loss of housing units in multiple
dwellings by requiring developers to construct at least as many housing
units as they demolish, or as many as zoning and building codes will

allow if it would not be possible to replace the housing units under
existing zoning and safety requirements.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.