Politics
Inclusionary Housing Zoning Update Approved for Long Island City, Setting Requirements at 25 Percent Affordable Units in New Projects
The measure requires developers in Long Island City to set aside one-quarter of units as income-restricted housing, a threshold already in place in parts of Brooklyn and the Bronx.
How we reported this
The New York City Council voted 42-7 on July 7 to enact the Inclusionary Housing Zoning Update for Long Island City, mandating that new residential buildings with 10 or more units reserve 25 percent of apartments for households earning up to 60 percent of area median income.
The update stems from a Department of City Planning review of 2024 building permits that showed Long Island City added 4,200 market-rate units last year while affordable housing permits lagged at 680, prompting the council to align local rules with existing inclusionary programs in Williamsburg and the South Bronx.
Direct Effects on Residents Seeking Housing
Long Island City renters earning under $58,000 annually for a family of three will gain priority access through the city’s housing lottery system, with the first set-aside units scheduled for occupancy in buildings already under construction along 21st Street. Families currently paying market rents above $3,200 for two-bedroom apartments may qualify for units capped at $1,650 monthly under the new rules.
Local job sites tied to construction will see an estimated 1,200 additional positions over the next three years, according to the city’s Economic Development Corporation projection tied to the expanded affordable component.
Comparisons to Other Neighborhoods and Next Steps
Under the same policy framework, Williamsburg requires 30 percent affordable units while the South Bronx sets the floor at 20 percent; Long Island City’s 25 percent rate places it between those benchmarks, as noted in the council’s comparison memo released with the vote.
The Department of Buildings will begin reviewing compliance plans on August 1, with the first certificates of occupancy under the updated zoning expected in the second quarter of 2028.