Saturday, June 12, 2021

Affordable housing hotel conversion bill passes

4 Hotels by Suthpin Blvd, Jamaica (JQ LLC)

 

 

QNS

With the legislative session winding down in Albany, state Senator Michael Gianaris passed his Housing our Neighbors with Dignity Act (HONDA) in the upper chamber Wednesday, June 9.

The legislation will allow the state to finance the purchase and conversion of distressed hotels and vacant commercial office space into permanent affordable housing by nonprofit organizations to ensure every New Yorker has access to a safe and affordable place to live.

Gianaris noted that $100 million was included in the state budget in April to fund such conversions under HONDA.

“New York has seen a decades-long affordable housing crunch exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic devastation,” Gianaris said. “This legislation is a good way to tackle the dual problems of distressed properties and lack of affordable housing. I am thrilled that this passed, and that we have a funded program that will provide real relief going forward.”

Under the legislation, new affordable housing must be made available to low-income households, and people who were previously homeless. At least 50 percent of the units will be set aside for individuals who experienced homelessness immediately prior to applying for converted units.

The legislation passed in the Assembly Thursday, June 10. Jackson Heights Jessica González-Rojas Assemblywoman co-sponsored the measure. (Let's see how fast this works-JQ LLC)

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

The Dutch Kills Section in LIC has at least 15+ massive and smaller hotels within 10 square blocks of one another. I can take you in other areas in the boroughs where this issue of multiple hotels are close to each other. This is going to be interesting

Anonymous said...

This guy, a product of the Crowley-Vallone Machine, has close ties to developers but in Astoria seems to have presented himself as a "Champion of the People". Here, are we unloading dumpy properties (of those who have close ties to his donors, perhaps?) for the taxpayer to fix up? Just walk through Dutch Kills and Ravenswood to look at the "hotels" they put on residential blocks. Funny, there is not one north of the Grand Central.

Chased off Amazon and its money but not to worry - plenty of his pals from Astoria ready to step in with their unique magic touch. I would think, if the style of the new buildings in Astoria any idea of what is in store for LIC, it is probably a step up, eh?

Deke DaSilva said...

Gianaris noted that $100 million was included in the state budget in April to fund such conversions under HONDA.

Seeing how "the government" mismanages everything and spends money like drunken sailors, this should be about enough money to convert 2 studio apartments.

Anonymous said...

"Champion of the People"
NYC is now the ​Laughing stock of the U.S.

Anonymous said...

The whole country has gone to hell

Anonymous said...

Hotels are one thing but including vacant commercial office space could mean anything they wish to brand "unused space".
These communists are really moving to destroy the last better neighborhoods.
Most these homeless have lifetime crime, mental and addiction problems.
This will be a disaster for LIC & Maspeth when landlords of all the old run down commercial space see easy $$$$

Anonymous said...

And what is your Community Board doing about this ?

Anonymous said...

Ghettoville area anyway!