Land Use Justice

About

New York City’s land use and zoning regulations are key levers in the development and preservation of our city’s communities. Unfortunately, however, the needs and interests of low- and moderate-income New Yorkers, people of color, immigrants, and other marginalized populations are not often represented or considered in how our land is used, what gets built where, what gets preserved, and who has rights and access to space.

Why This Matters

Land use justice is key to creating thriving communities, as it ensures that all residents are reshaping the various areas of our neighborhoods. Without proper representation from, or the inclusion of low- and moderate-income New Yorkers, people of color, immigrants, and other marginalized populations, the City ends up making decisions on land use that exacerbate inequality, by privileging capital over community.

What We're Doing

ANHD is building the power of marginalized communities to have control over the land use decisions that shape their neighborhoods and promote equity.

To ensure land use policies and investments are driven by our city’s community needs, we provide both individual and group-based rezoning technical assistance to neighborhoods who are facing land use and zoning changes. Additionally, we provide research and advocacy on land use opportunities that promote public good.

Check out the associated projects below for more information on how we are fighting for land use justice.

Recent Blogs and Media

Blog
June 15, 2022
Mayor Eric Adams' Housing Our Neighbors
We are thrilled that after years of ANHD-led advocacy, the Adams Administration has finally moved New York City away from the problematic affordable housing unit count goals of past housing plans. That metric led to a focus on so-called affordable housing solutions that simply chased after numbers instead of prioritizing the needs of struggling New Yorkers. Instead, we should be focusing on the outcomes our communities need – outcomes like ending homelessness, preventing displacement, eliminating rent burdens, and ensuring safe, healthy housing for all. In order to accomplish those goals, we need to look holistically at the full housing landscape in NYC, and we applaud the Administration for incorporating the full spectrum of housing, from homelessness to NYCHA to tenant protections to homeownership in the Housing Our Neighbors blueprint.

Related Resources

A report back from a forum of key stakeholders discussing the challenges and opportunities related to ensuring permanent affordability in subsidized housing.

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