Poster boy / Flickr

A defaced Airbnb subway ad

Sign up for our Mapping the Future newsletter to receive housing updates—including the latest news, statistics, tools for tenants and homeowners and affordable-rental lotteries—in your inbox weekly. Here are some of the headlines from this week’s update:

From City Limits

At the New York City Housing Authority’s Fulton Houses, activists and residents are fighting a proposal to demolish two buildings and allow a private developer to build market-rate apartments. But NYCHA says the plan is the only way to raise funds to make desperately-needed repairs. Read more

In major policy shift, the city announced that credit checks will now be optional for applicants to the affordable housing lotteries. The changes will likely increase access to affordable housing for many New Yorkers across the city, and “reduce the chances of a tenant being denied a unit due to poor credit history.” Read more

The city is seeking developers to build 350 affordable units in East Harlem. The projects will also include community facilities and be spread across two East Harlem sites. Read more

From Around the City: 

The city is cracking down on illegal Airbnbs in three Manhattan buildings, accusing the landlord there of using Airbnb to advertise illegal short-term rental units in the properties, the Real Deal reports.

A proposal for a high-rise luxury apartment complex in Ridgewood has put longtime residents and the local councilmember in a bind, the Queens Eagle reports. The project’s developer is suggesting it will build a 300-foot-tall tower without any affordable units unless the city consents to a rezoning.

The sweeping housing measure state lawmakers passed in June bars landlords from charging more than $20 to cover the costs of tenant background or credit checks. But the Real Estate Board of New York is advising its members that brokers, who serve as intermediaries, may still charge more than $20, The City reports.

Two Assembly members plan to introduce legislation to fine the brokers and landlords who charge more.

A condo-owner subdivided his apartment vertically, creating 11 sub-units with 4 ½ foot ceiling heights, the Post reports. He was busted last week.