City Limits - In-depth New York City News

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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

Council Votes to Make Racial Impact Studies Part of NYC Land Use Process

Residents of low- to middle-income communities of color have resisted various neighborhood-level land use applications which they say will fuel gentrification and increase rents.
By David Brand
Manhattan Borough President Candidates—Mostly—Shun Developer Cash

Borough presidents have few real powers, but they do have a role in rezonings and development because they make advisory recommendations as part of the land use review.
By David Brand
NYC Set to Send Homeless Adults Back to Shelters as COVID-19 Rates Drop

Homeless New Yorkers have been bracing for a return to the barracks-style shelters for months.
By David Brand
Opinion: NYS Lawmakers Passed a Bill to Combat Wage Theft. Now Cuomo Must Sign It.

‘This legislation demonstrates to workers across the state, especially immigrant and non-union workers, that they are valued.
By Maritza Silva-Farrell
Hotel Shelter Closure Scatters Families in Search of Permanent Homes

The 40 or so families living at the Hotel Ellington in Manhattan, where the city has been paying for rooms to house homeless New Yorkers for nearly two decades, were told late last month they would have to move.
By David Brand
Opinion: NYC’s Next Mayor Needs to Revamp City Planning for Equity

'Ensuring every New York City neighborhood has the same access and quality of life—whether you’re in Brownsville or the Upper West Side—will require a fair and comprehensive planning process.'
By Elena Conte, Guillermo Gomez and Beatrice Sibblies
Opinion: Shaun Donovan Praises Atlantic Yards, But It’s No Model Housing Partnership

A 2005 media event promised more affordability than what’s been produced.
By Norman Oder
Advocates Urge NYC to Ban Criminal Background Checks for Apartment Applicants

The Fair Chance for Housing Act would bar landlords and brokers from conducting criminal background checks on prospective tenants, a barrier to housing for the formerly incarcerated and their families.
By David Brand

The Neighborhoods

Click on a neighborhood to get news, documents, opinions and videos about that community.

Key

Proposal Anticipated

Proposal in Approval Process

Proposal Approved

Proposal Defeated or Withdrawn

Rezoning Status

Bay Street

Bushwick

Downtown Far Rockaway

East Harlem

East New York

Flushing West

Gowanus

Inwood

Jerome Avenue

Long Island City

Southern Boulevard

Sunset Park

Two Bridges/Chinatown

Upper West Side

Mapping the Future: Opinion

Opinion: It’s Time to Make Housing Vouchers Universal

'What low-income renters and homeless New Yorkers really need is Section 8 for all: housing assistance offered as an entitlement for everyone who qualifies.'
By Jacquelyn Simone
Opinion: Every Level of Government Must Step Up to Address Family Homelessness

‘We need to strengthen the safety-net for families at risk of homelessness, and make sure that even as people get jobs they don’t lose their rental assistance.’
By Catherine Trapani and Kim Maloney
Opinion: As Times Square Makes a Comeback, It’s Time to Help Those Still Struggling

'Many vulnerable individuals experiencing homelessness or in need of other services are shuttled into the criminal justice system in a cruel and costly revolving door, often leaving them rightfully distrustful of social services providers.'
By Lauren Curatolo, Tom Harris, Brenda Rosen and Ashwin Vasan
Opinion: NYC’s Next Mayor Should Commit to Upholding the Right to Shelter

‘The right to shelter provides unshakeable protections for those who would otherwise have no choice but to sleep on the street. Threats to the right to shelter by New York mayors aren’t new—Both Giuliani and Bloomberg mounted strident challenges to modify and undo it.’
By Tony Hannigan and Joe DeGenova
Opinion: COVID-19 Taught Us That Housing is Healthcare—NYC Must Pass Intro 146

‘As we start to pick up the pieces from the last 15 months, we have the opportunity to build back better. We refuse to go back to normal, because normal was broken. We cannot continue to warehouse people in overcrowded shelters or police people in the streets with no plan to move them into permanent housing.’
By Amy Blumsack and Amanda Ramsdell