Praise for Mark Levine and fellow left-leaning advocates for supporting rational housing policies in NYC
Exciting news: A glimmer of hope in New York City’s housing crisis has emerged, with local progressive politicians coming together to address the issue.
Following an investigative report by the Post, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine and most of the borough’s City Council members are teaming up with Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams to eliminate the outdated 12 FAR cap, a state law from 1961 that has contributed to the city’s housing crisis for years.
The goal is to remove this cap through the state budget, with progressive Council Members like Yusef Salaam, Keith Powers, Shaun Abreu, and Julie Menin joining Levine in this effort.
Even staunch leftists are recognizing the absurdity of this rule.
The FAR cap limits buildings to be no more than 12 times the size of their lots, resulting in the absence of new elegant, large apartment buildings like those along Central Park West.
Instead, the city has seen an influx of “pencil” towers, such as the Steinway Tower on West 57th, which is over 1,400 feet tall but only houses 60 apartments.
It is estimated that the law has cost the city around 200,000 apartments since its inception, apartments that could have helped alleviate almost 60% of New York’s housing shortage.
Levine & his allies will face opposition from individuals like Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, who defends the law while living in a rent-stabilized UWS apartment passed down to her.
Nevertheless, it is a noble cause, and despite past disagreements, Levine & his allies are on the right path.
Let’s repeal the cap and allow New York to be the vibrant city it truly is.
