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9h ago

NYC Ballot Fight Over Housing Reforms Puts Council Power on the Line

Voters are weighing whether to speed approvals for affordable projects by reallocating final say away from local members.

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The Empire State Building casts a shadow on buildings on the east side of midtown Manhattan as seen from the 86th floor observation deck as the sun sets on September 18, 2025, in New York City.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has been unable to pass statewide housing reform.
San Francisco and other California cities are in the grips of a housing affordability crisis.

Overview

  • Early voting is underway on six city ballot questions, with Proposals 2–4 focused on reshaping how affordable and modest housing projects are reviewed and approved.
  • Proposal 2 would fast-track city-financed affordable housing and projects in the 12 lowest-producing districts by shifting final decisions to mayoral appointees at the City Planning Commission and the Board of Standards and Appeals.
  • Proposal 3 would create an expedited process for smaller projects—up to 45 feet tall or 30% more capacity—with final approval by the City Planning Commission instead of the City Council.
  • Proposal 4 would establish a three-member appeals board composed of the mayor, the City Council speaker, and the local borough president, empowered to overturn council rejections by a two-to-one vote.
  • Council leaders oppose Proposals 2–4 and sent taxpayer-funded mailers after unsuccessfully trying to keep the measures off the ballot, while a clergy coalition and officials including Brad Lander, Mark Levine, and Antonio Reynoso urge Yes on 2–5; Cuomo backs the housing measures, Sliwa opposes them, Mamdani has not taken a position, Proposal 5 would digitize the City Map, Proposal 6 would move city elections to presidential years, and the fight echoes wider anti-NIMBY reforms as rents climb and vacancy hits 1.4%.