Despite Pandemic, NYC Created 30K Affordable Units In 2020

NEW YORK CITY — The hardships of 2020 didn’t stop New York City from creating nearly 30,000 affordable housing units.

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Tuesday touted the achievement as a ray of sunshine from a year that brought a once-in-a-century pandemic and still-unfolding economic hardship.

“Now here's the good news in 2020, even with all the challenges of coronavirus, even with all the roadblocks, the City of New York reached its second highest one-year total for the creation of affordable housing ever, second highest ever in New York City history,” he said.

De Blasio’s affordable housing efforts, while officially record-breaking, have still come under criticism.

As Patch readers are no doubt familiar, the “affordable” housing offerings often feature units far beyond the means of many neighborhood residents. Take 43 apartments in Long Island City recently listed in the housing lottery — families need to earn at least $70,000 a year to even apply.

For many advocates and potential renters, “affordable” housing can be a cruel joke.

But still, de Blasio’s announcement did feature good signs for New Yorkers with sub-$70,000 incomes.

Of the affordable homes created in 2020, 65 percent will house families of three earning less than $52,000 per year, said Louise Carroll, the city’s commissioner ofHousing Preservation and Development.

De Blasio said the city is on track to create 300,000 affordable homes by 2026.

“The goal in 2021 is to create at least 25,000 more affordable homes, to create tens of thousands of construction jobs to help move this city forward through the creation of affordable housing,” he said.