City Limits - In-depth New York City News

Special Project

Mapping the Future

Mapping the Future investigates and explains the history, economics, politics and policies that shape the way land is used in the city of New York and beyond. It is supported by the Ford Foundation and the Neighborhoods First Fund.

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Must Reads

Bill Would Make Brooklyn a Real Estate ‘Cease-and-Desist’ Zone

NY State SenateState Sen. Kevin Parker has authored two bills to give Brooklyn homeowners protection from aggressive real-estate solicitation.
By Jarrett Murphy
Opinion: City’s Fair Housing Report Is A Start, But We Must Go Further

Office of the Mayor (video)Scene from a Where We Live NYC engagement session.
By Maxwell Cabello and Adrien Weibgen
Rezonings, Roadblocks and the Mayor’s Housing Plan

Neighborhood rezonings are but one part of Mayor de Blasio's housing plan, but they are an important component.
By Jarrett Murphy
Report Sees de Blasio’s ‘Mandatory Inclusionary Housing’ Falling Short

975 Liberty Ave, Brooklyn, one building shaped by the MIH program.
By Sadef Ali Kully
Opinion: A Councilmember on Why He Opposes the Southern Boulevard Rezoning

New York City CouncilRafael Salamanca Jr. serves as Chair of the Land Use Committee.
By Rafael Salamanca
City Hall and Local Leaders Deadlocked Over Bushwick Rezoning

CDPThe Department of City Planning's study area for Bushwick.
By Sadef Ali Kully
Opinion: Permanent Safety, Not Short-Term Fixes, Is What Domestic Violence Survivors Need

Linda Moving AheadDoorknob with lock and key New York City recently announced a $100 million plan to create “safe-haven” shelters for those living on the street.
By Carol Corden
City Hall Maps Steps to Deal With Impact of Decades of Racist Housing Policies

Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.The mayor picked up on a self-examination that President Obama wanted to occur across the country, but President Trump halted.
By Sadef Ali Kully

Mapping the Future: Opinion

Opinion: Bring Humanity to the Fight Against Homelessness

'There are valuable programs in place that, with commitment and accountability, enable homeless New Yorkers to be housed and regain the dignity to achieve a better future for themselves and their children.'
By Tori Lyon
Opinion: If Council Passes Homeless Set-Aside Law, De Blasio Should Veto It

'It's counterproductive to tie the hands of the City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), an agency already stretched to the limit as they attempt to deal with an affordable housing crisis.'
By Rafael Cestero
Opinion: Queens Councilmember on the Glendale Shelter Debate

'Why should we roll over and accept the mayor's plan without putting up a fight?'
By Robert Holden
Opinion: Murders Demand a Deeper Look at How We Treat the Homeless

'An honest examination of what happened must consider larger contextual factors at play, which include a marked lack of truly affordable housing, useful mental health services, and easily accessible and appropriate shelter options.'
By Kiana Davis, Craig Hughes and Helen Strom
Opinion: Why We Disrupted a Public Hearing About the Homeless

'Often, hearings on proposed rules are dry and the rooms fairly empty. But Wednesday’s hearing had dozens of individuals ready to testify – most of them individuals who had intimate experiences with DHS and social services in New York City.'
By Helen Strom and Brenda Riley