NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Thursday, April 3, 2014, 2:30 AM
Progressive groups are calling on Mayor de Blasio to close a “luxurious loophole” and create more affordable housing units in rapidly gentrifying Brooklyn neighborhoods.
From 2008 to 2012, 61 buildings were built in Brooklyn that will receive $ 158 million in tax breaks — but only five include below-market-rate apartments, according to the report from the Real Affordability for All Campaign.
And only 6% of the 4,395 units created were affordable for lower moderate-income households, the study shows.
“We know that the city is going to use subsidies to entice developers to build more, but if we’re going to do that, we need to produce maximum affordability in our units,” said Jaron Benjamin, executive director of the Met Council on Housing.
As rents keep skyrocketing in areas like Fort Greene and Boerum Hill, black and Hispanic populations have taken a dive over the past 10 years, according to the report.
The study recommends that 50% of new residential developments should be market rate, and 50% be targeted to low-income households.
Steven Spinola, president of the Real Estate Board of New York, said it wouldn’t be possible to create 50% affordable units in every new development.
“We all agree New York needs more affordable housing but changes to policy should not be based on flawed studies like this,” he said.
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