Senator Bottcher and Assembly Member Powers Introduce Legislation to Legalize Artist Housing

Amid New York’s housing crisis, new bill would permit new affordable housing specifically for artists 

NEW YORK, NY — Amid New York’s housing crisis, Senator Erik Bottcher and Assembly Member Keith Powers today announced 
legislation to help create new affordable housing for artists in New York City.

Currently, the legal landscape in NYC makes it very difficult, if not impossible, to create new affordable housing specifically designated for artists. This is because the city’s Human Rights Law prevents housing from being designated for a particular profession. 

This new legislation would ease the restriction and make it easier for the city’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and nonprofit affordable housing developers to build housing intended to support artists.

“New York’s housing crisis is pushing too many artists out of the city they help define,” said State Senator Erik Bottcher. “If we want New York to remain the cultural capital of the world, we have to make sure the creative workers who give this city its character can still afford to live here. This bill removes an unnecessary barrier and helps create more affordable housing so artists can put down roots and keep building their future in New York.”

“Artists help power New York’s creative life and economic strength, but too many are being priced out,” said Assembly Member Keith Powers. “At a time when affordability is driving creative workers out of the city, this legislation will help clear the way for more affordable housing for artists and make it easier for them to build stable lives here.”

New York City has a long and storied history of being the artistic capital of the world, and a place where artists can afford to live. Our city used to build artist housing developments like Westbeth and Manhattan Plaza, but there has not been new artist housing built in NYC in over 20 years. 

Bottcher and Powers first pursued similar legislation in the New York City Council last year. Now, in the State Legislature, they are advancing a proposal to remove that barrier and make it easier to create affordable housing that helps artists stay in the city.

New York has long been defined by its artists. But the city’s affordability crisis is making it harder for creative workers to live and build a future here. While other cities across the country and communities across New York State have moved forward with artist housing, New York City has struggled to keep pace.

This legislation would help change that by making clear that artist housing preferences are allowed under the law, opening the door to new affordable housing opportunities for the people whose work fuels the city’s cultural life and economic strength.

About Senator Erik Bottcher

Erik Bottcher represents New York’s 47th State Senate District in Manhattan. He has been a leading advocate for policies that advance justice and equality for LGBTQ+ and minority communities, housing affordability, and public-health approaches to preventing gun violence.

About Assembly Member Keith Powers

Keith Powers represents New York’s 74th Assembly District, and is a life-long resident of Manhattan. Born and raised in Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village — where he lives today — Keith has been serving the East Side of Manhattan since 2018. Keith has been a champion on housing issues in Manhattan and citywide. He has been leading the charge on office conversions to housing, including a new rezoning in Midtown South.

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