What's happening
This bill requires affordable housing programs in New York City to calculate Area Median Income (AMI) based on the specific zip code of each project.
Why it matters
Targets affordability more locally. By requiring Area Median Income (AMI) calculations to be based on the specific zip code of each project, the bill ensures that affordable housing eligibility and rent levels are more closely tied to the actual incomes of the immediate neighborhood, rather than to broader citywide or regional averages that may mask local disparities.
Could expand access for lower-income residents. In neighborhoods where the local AMI is significantly lower than the citywide average, this change may open affordable housing programs to people who are currently priced out because citywide AMI calculations set income and rent thresholds too high for local residents.
Impacts developers and housing policy. Developers of new multi-family housing receiving tax benefits or incentives will need to adjust their financial planning and compliance processes, potentially affecting the economics of building affordable housing in areas with lower local AMIs. This could also influence where affordable housing projects are proposed and built within New York City.
Aims to address equity and gentrification concerns. The bill responds to criticisms that citywide AMI calculations contribute to displacement and gentrification by making "affordable" units inaccessible to longtime, lower-income residents in rapidly changing neighborhoods. This localizes the definition of affordability and could help keep housing opportunities more aligned with existing community needs.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Use Local Income for Housing
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to housing
- Referred to housing
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Use Zip Code for AMI
In Senate Committee · Housing, Construction And Community Development · Sponsor Tony Avella
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6228
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 28, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. BARNWELL -- read once and referred to the Committee on Housing
AN ACT to amend the real property tax law, in relation to requiring that affordable housing programs in a city having a population of one million or more to calculate the area median income based on the specific zip code in which the project will be located
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 421-a of the real property tax law is amended by adding a new paragraph e to read as follows:
e. "Area Median Income (AMI)." Whenever calculating the affordability of a project, AMI shall be based solely on the specific zip code where the project shall be located. This definition shall only apply to new multiple dwellings located in cities having a population of one million or more.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10159-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.