Housing Policy Solutions for COVID-19

CHPC’s issue brief lays out housing policy solutions for COVID-19 to help New York City respond to and recover from the  pandemic. 

Click Here to Download the Issue Brief

Why Housing Policy?

Housing provides New Yorkers with economic stability and acts as an an economic stimulus for the city as a whole. Housing is healthcare for vulnerable populations and, as the COVID-19 crisis has underscored, a public health measure that protects us all. In the absence of a treatment or vaccine for COVID-19, housing is a core part of the infrastructure of care for this pandemic. Housing must be part of our solutions for the recovery of New York City’s health and economy moving forward.

CHPC’s Policy Solutions

Housing Policy Solutions for COVID-19 follows up Housing Policy for a Global Pandemic, presenting strategies for COVID-19 response and recovery to address the issues highlighted in our previous essay.

• DHS and HPD should be overseen by the same Deputy Mayor.
• We need a NYNY4 agreement to build more supportive housing.
• Sweeping regulatory reforms to streamline processes for those building and seeking housing.
• NYC needs a plan for Air Conditioners this summer.
• Capital plan for stimulus funding.
• We need to have a frank discussion about density to ensure that NYC can recover.
• Create mixed-use developments centered around medical uses to decentralize medical services in neighborhoods where they are currently scarce.
• Elevate the role of property management and disseminate best practices for keeping tenants safe.
• Stop counting units.
• Preserving NYCHA should be central to any future housing investment.
• Overhaul the housing lottery system (both the process and the preferences).
• Listen to the disability community.
• Evaluate design best practices for healthy housing.

READ THE SOLUTIONS BELOW: