NYC Council Approves Land Use Projects Resulting in Nearly 3,250 New Homes for New Yorkers, Over Half of Which Are Affordable

Council also passes legislation to provide workforce stabilization payments for school paraprofessionals

CITY HALL, NY - Today, the New York City Council voted to approve major land use projects that will collectively deliver nearly 3,250 homes, more than half of which are affordable. Amid a housing shortage driving the City's affordability crisis, the Council has taken decisive action by approving housing proposals with community benefits in all five boroughs. The land use projects approved by the Council include Monitor Point rezoning in Brooklyn and the Dewitt Clinton Park North project in Manhattan.

"Today, this Council is taking essential action to address our city's housing affordability crisis by approving land use applications that together will facilitate nearly 3,250 units of new housing," said Speaker Julie Menin. "These applications span all five boroughs, and the Council's negotiations prioritized adding and deepening affordable housing, especially at Monitor Point. This Council will continue to proactively work to deliver new homes and community benefits for New Yorkers as we move forward this term."

Legislation:

Workforce Stabilization Payments for School Paraprofessionals

New York City employs about 26,000 paraprofessionals who work alongside teachers to provide instructional, behavioral, and physical support to students with disabilities. According to the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), there were at least 1,600 paraprofessional vacancies during the last school year. The starting salary for paraprofessionals is $32,098, with a maximum salary of $53,841. Paraprofessionals testified during a City Council hearing in November 2025 that they face eviction due to difficulty paying rent, have gone hungry, and work multiple jobs to survive. To address emergency retention concerns and support paraprofessionals, the Council passed the following legislation.

Introduction 692-A, sponsored by Council Member Carmen De La Rosa, would require the Department of Education (DOE) to provide a workforce stabilization payment, totaling up to $10,000, to each eligible school paraprofessional for work performed during the 2026-2027 school year. The workforce stabilization payment would be prorated according to the number of days an eligible school paraprofessional was on payroll in the relevant payment period during the 2026-2027 school year. Such workforce stabilization payment would be paid to eligible school paraprofessionals in four separate installments.

"We can't sit idly by as our public schools suffer from a workforce retention crisis of paraprofessionals, who provide essential services in our classrooms," said Speaker Julie Menin. "Investing in this workforce will strengthen school stability and improve student outcomes, while potentially helping to lower the ballooning $1.5 billion per year the city spends on Carter cases by addressing vacancies of paraprofessionals in the classroom. Supporting our paraprofessionals is one of the smartest investments we can make, and I thank the UFT and my Council colleagues for their support of this legislation."

"Behind every successful classroom in our city, there is often a paraprofessional making that learning possible. These are the workers who sit one-on-one with students with disabilities, help children communicate, regulate, and learn, and make sure every student can fully participate in our schools," said Council Member Carmen De La Rosa. "The reality is that the people doing this essential work are among the lowest-paid employees in the largest school system in the country, earning as low as $30,000 a year in one of the most expensive cities in the country. Thousands of vacancies persist as paras must choose between a job they love and putting food on the table for their families. A revolving door of lawsuits from unmet mandated needs costs the city and state over $1.5B in taxpayer money just in the last year. A $10,000 one-time stabilization RESPECT Check is a drop in the bucket in comparison, while ensuring that money goes back into our schools and our workforce."

Adjusting the Salaries of New York City's Elected Officials

With the exception of District Attorneys, no elected official in the City has seen a salary adjustment since 2016, when the Council raised their salaries to the current levels while simultaneously making Council Members' positions a full-time job. Despite needing to be convened every four years, no independent commission to review the compensation levels of the City's elected officials had been convened since 2015 until this year. That commission, known as the Quadrennial Commission, made recommendations regarding its own structure and the compensation levels of New York City elected officials. The Council is acting on most of those recommendations.

Preconsidered Introduction-A, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Dr. Nantasha Williams, would increase the salaries of the Mayor, Public Advocate, Comptroller, Council Members, Borough Presidents, and District Attorneys by 18.2% since the last time their salaries were adjusted by local law, as recommended by the recently released Report of the New York City Quadrennial Advisory Commission for the Review of Compensation Levels of Elected Officials. It would change the timing of future commissions to the third year of a term of office, rather than the first year, and provide each commission with 120 days to complete their work.

"This legislation is the result of the independent review process the Council established through the Quadrennial Advisory Commission," said Deputy Speaker Dr. Nantasha Williams. "By creating the Commission, the Council committed to a transparent, predictable process for reviewing these matters on a regular basis. Today's legislation implements the Commission's recommendations and reinforces a framework grounded in clear standards, public accountability, and regular review. Government is strongest when New Yorkers understand not only the decisions we make, but the process behind them."

Amending the Annual Disclosure Law

Introduction 398, sponsored by Council Member Lincoln Restler, would amend the annual disclosure law to affect the bands a New York City officer, employee, candidate for office, or political party official selects when disclosing anything with a monetary value or amount. There are currently seven bands one may choose from when it comes to disclosure. The bill would set these bands to $1000 to $5000, $5000 to $64,000, $64,000 to $150,000, $150,000 to $250,000, $250,000 to $500,000, $500,000 to $1,000,000, and any amount over $1,000,000.

"Certain City employees are required to disclose their financial interests to the Conflicts of Interest Board annually, but the value ranges for these assets haven't been adjusted in over 20 years," said Council Member Lincoln Restler. "This bill will update the ranges and give COIB the flexibility to adjust certain ranges based on CPI. It's a common-sense good government measure that will give the public accurate, transparent information on the financial assets of city employees."

Red Tape Relief Act

Introduction 955-A, sponsored by Council Member Susan Zhuang, would require the Mayor to establish a program that would coordinate inspections and plan reviews among agencies to cut down on the time for new businesses to open. Eligibility requirements for this program will be up to the discretion of the Mayor.

"Small business owners across New York City do not have time to waste navigating a maze of overlapping inspections," said Council Member Susan Zhuang. "The Red Tape Relief Act cuts through that confusion by bringing agencies together. I want to thank Speaker Menin and my council colleagues for their partnership in getting this bill across the finish line. I'm proud to say we're taking a step toward a city government that works for the people it serves, not against them."

Ensuring Wellness Checks on Older Adults During Extreme Weather Events

Introduction 812-A, sponsored by Deputy Whip Elsie Encarnación, would require the Commissioner of the Department for the Aging (DFTA) to develop a protocol in collaboration with NYC Emergency Management (NYCEM) and relevant agencies to conduct wellness checks during cold weather alerts, extreme heat warnings, and heat-related emergencies. Wellness checks would include a set of questions developed by DFTA to gauge an older adult's well-being, a determination of their apparent well-being, and a report on the conditions in the older adult's place of residence.

Increasing NYPD Recruitment by Raising Maximum Age for Civil Service Exam

Introduction 913-A, sponsored by Council Member Amanda Farías, would raise the maximum age at which someone can take the civil service exam to become a police officer from 35 years of age to 43 years of age. This legislation would align local eligibility standards with those established pursuant to State law, which was similarly amended in 2025 to increase the maximum age of police officer applicants.

"Public service should remain within reach for qualified New Yorkers who are ready to answer the call, even when that decision comes at a more seasoned and capable stage in their careers," said Council Member Amanda Farías. "I am proud to have carried Introduction 913-A in the Council and secured its passage because it reflects the kind of thoughtful policymaking New Yorkers deserve. We were able to expand access to a stable public-service career for working people, strengthen the City's ability to recruit from a broader and more diverse pool of qualified candidates, and preserve every professional standard required to become a New York City Police Officer. Experience, discipline, and a commitment to serve are qualities that develop over time, and our laws should recognize that while continuing to uphold the high expectations New Yorkers have for those entrusted with public safety."

Studying the Potential to Install Structures on the Draft Riots of 1863

Introduction 496-A, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Dr. Nantasha Williams, would require the Commissioner of Cultural Affairs to conduct a study and provide a report to the Mayor and the Council on the potential installation of structures acknowledging the Draft Riots of 1863. The Commissioner would have to consult with other relevant agencies, community stakeholders, and experts.

"The Draft Riots of 1863 remain one of the darkest chapters in New York City's history, yet there is still no formal public acknowledgment of those events in our city's landscape," said Deputy Speaker Dr. Nantasha Williams. "At a time when there are active efforts to erase, rewrite, or diminish the histories and contributions of Black communities and other historically marginalized communities, New York City has a responsibility to preserve an honest and complete account of its past. This legislation begins a thoughtful process to ensure that history is recognized with accuracy, care, and context."

Declaring August 6 Annually as Fatman Scoop Recognition Day

Resolution 371, sponsored by Council Member Yusef Salaam, would declare August 6 annually as Fatman Scoop Recognition Day in the City of New York and celebrating the signature style that he brought to every musical collaboration and the inimitable energy he brought to every audience.

"Fatman Scoop was Harlem - that thunderous voice, that infectious energy, that call and response that made strangers feel like family," said Council Member Yusef Salaam. "He gave everything to every stage he ever stood on, and declaring August 6 as Fatman Scoop Recognition Day is New York City's way of making sure we never forget one of our own."

Land Use:

Monitor Point - an application to facilitate the development of two new mixed-use buildings with approximately 1,324 residential units, 50% of which will be affordable under MIH and an HPD term sheet, as well as a new museum honoring the legacy of the U.S.S. Monitor and publicly accessible open space in Council Member Lincoln Restler's district. The applicant team has committed to contributing $300,000 annually to the long-term maintenance of Bushwick Inlet Park and facilitating the relocation of two MTA facilities. The Council is modifying the application to expand the waterfront public open space and facilitate an increase in the size of the 100% affordable building.

Dewitt Clinton Park North - Two related applications in Council Member Gale Brewer's district:

• 801 Eleventh Avenue - an application to facilitate the development of a new mixed-use building with approximately 447 residential units, 125 of which will be affordable under MIH Option 1.
• 629 West 54th Street - an application to facilitate the development of a new mixed-use building with approximately 617 residential units, 161 of which will be permanently affordable under MIH Option 1.
• As part of the applications, the developers will also be purchasing air rights from Hudson River Park, helping to generate important funding for waterfront open space. The Council is modifying the applications to modestly reduce the height and adjust the street-level design.

2950 West 24th Street Rezoning - an application to facilitate the development of an 18-story mixed-use building with 408 units, all of which will be income-restricted pursuant to HPD's ELLA program, as well as two superintendent units and commercial and community facility space in Council Member Kayla Santosuosso's district.

1166 Bedford Avenue Rezoning - an application to facilitate the development of a 12-story mixed-use building with approximately 144 affordable independent residences for seniors, as well as ground floor retail and community facility space in Council Member Chi Osse's district.

198-208 Richmond Terrace - an application to facilitate the development of a 14-story mixed-use building with 118 residential units, 35 of which will be permanently affordable under MIH, as well as community facility space and off-street accessory parking in Majority Whip Kamillah Hanks' district.

1160 Pugsley Avenue Rezoning - an application to facilitate the development of a new eight-story mixed-use building with approximately 104 residential units and ground floor supermarket space in Council Member Amanda Farias' district.

164th Street Rezoning - an application to facilitate the development of a new six-story mixed-use building with 80 residential units, 24 of which will be affordable under MIH, and community facility space in Council Member James F. Gennaro's district.

Landmarks Preservation Commission designation of three individual landmarks linked to New York City's immigration history:

• The Public School 15 Annex, located in Council Member Lincoln Restler's district, was originally built in 1889 to serve Brooklyn's growing immigrant community. During the Great Depression, the Annex became a continuation school for young women, many of whom were first- and second-generation immigrants. After the 1940s, the building was used as a specialized business school and then became the first English-Arabic public school in the United States.
• The Church of Saint Mary in Council Member Christopher Marte's district is the third-oldest Roman Catholic church in New York City. When it was constructed in 1833, the church was a haven for New York's earliest Catholics, many of whom immigrated from Ireland and Germany. The church began to attract parish members from various Latin American communities in the early 20th century and first introduced Spanish-language masses in the 1950s, which continue to accommodate the Spanish-speaking communities who make up the majority of the church's parish today.
• The Lithuanian Alliance Building in Council Member Carl Wilson's district has served as a home for the Lithuanian Alliance of America since 1910. The Alliance was formed to support Lithuanian immigrants and the Lithuanian American community, and is now the nation's oldest continually operating Lithuanian organization.

New High School for Staten Island - A school siting in Majority Whip Kamillah Hanks' district for a new, approximately 801-seat high school at 25 Wall Street.

HPD applications to facilitate the preservation of existing affordable housing:

• 511 West 171 Street ANCP Cluster - to facilitate the rehabilitation of three city-owned buildings with 50 units under the Affordable Neighborhood Cooperative Program, in Council Member Carmen De La Rosa's district.
• East Harlem/El Barrio Article XI Amendment - an amendment to a project previously approved by the Council in 2019 to allow commercial spaces to be occupied by community facility uses, in Deputy Whip Elsie Encarnacion's and Council Member Yusef Salaam's districts.

"Today's vote demonstrates what is possible when we pair ambitious housing production with thoughtful community planning," said Council Member Kevin C. Riley, Chair of the Committee on Land Use. "By approving projects that will deliver nearly 3,250 new homes, with more than half designated as affordable, the Council is taking meaningful action to address New York City's housing shortage while ensuring every development reflects the priorities of the communities it will serve. As Chair of the Committee on Land Use, I am proud that we continue to advance responsible, equitable development that creates housing, strengthens neighborhoods, and delivers lasting benefits for New Yorkers across all five boroughs."

Finance:

Transparency Resolution approving new designations and changes of certain organizations receiving funding in the Expense Budget.

Preconsidered Introduction, sponsored by Council Member Linda Lee, would decrease the credit against the City personal income tax on residents for their share of City Unincorporated Business Tax (UBT) paid by partnerships in which such residents are partners or businesses of which they are proprietors.

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