New York City Council Proposes Construction Code Updates to Build 35,000 New Homes
The New York City Council is advancing reforms aimed at unlocking up to 35,000 new homes on small and oddly-shaped lots across the city. Council Speaker Julie Menin announced proposed changes to the city's construction codes during an American Institute of Architects luncheon. These changes would allow for new housing on approximately 3,000 underutilized lots without requiring lengthy zoning approvals. The initiative includes the creation of a Council Advisory Group on Housing Affordability to guide policies addressing the city's housing crisis. The proposed reforms would enable development on small lots with buildings up to eight stories, which are generally cheaper to build and tend to rent or sell at lower prices than taller buildings. 
