Advancing Affordable Housing Design in New York City

The New York City Department of City Planning’s Urban Design Office provides guidance on buildings and neighborhood plans, conducts design research, develops public engagement tools, and shapes zoning regulations to ensure that new buildings and public spaces contribute positively to their surroundings and the city as a whole. With the recent policy focus on producing a greater quantity of housing in New York City to combat the affordable housing crisis, it is also important to ensure the design quality of new housing construction and incorporate community input into design choices that will continue to impact the city for decades, if not centuries to come. The project team sought to understand the driving factors behind high and poor quality design in New York City’s new affordable housing, demonstrate the importance of design for the success of these projects, and identify policy levers to better align affordable housing design with community needs without adding time and cost to the development process. The team conducted a series of interviews with key stakeholders, including policymakers, developers, and architects, in addition to surveying community members to identify their needs. Based on data from the engagement process and a review of existing literature, the team developed a final report that includes recommendations for policy changes and a toolkit for future community advocacy and engagement.