“As our city continues to grapple with the mayor’s rezoning proposals—Mandatory Inclusionary Housing and Zoning for Quality and Affordability—I am pleased to see progress has been made at the lower end of the affordability spectrum. While the housing deal does not go as far to assist the low income community as many of us had hoped, it is an encouraging step in the right direction. I commend the City Council for their diligence and commitment on this issue and for listening to the concerns myself, my colleagues, our community boards and the people of this city on other issues, including parking and the need for greater affordability.
“However, I remain concerned that the minor change at the upper end of the affordability spectrum does nothing to encourage developers to create units that would maintain our professionals and foster socio-economic diversity. Preventing developers from using already existing subsidies hinders the opportunity for truly mixed-income development in the borough.
“As I have previously stated, the process that has led us to this point has been flawed. These changes are substantial, and the people of this city—who have been incredibly critical, if not outright hostile to MIH and ZQA to this point—should have been given another chance to voice their opinions prior to any vote. I am hopeful that the City Council will make every effort to explain these changes to community boards and other concerned parties, to ensure both a productive dialogue and appropriate community engagement moving forward,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.