If in 2064 someone were to create a museum to look at the lives of NYC immigrants in 2014, what form would it take? More likely it would resemble a basement apartment in Queens, Brooklyn or the Bronx. Based on studies by housing advocates it is believed that accessory dwelling units, mostly composed of basement apartments may house up to 500,000 New Yorkers.
A 2008 study done with Queens housing advocate Chhaya Community Development Corporation and Citizens Housing and Planning Council made a case for relaxing the outright ban on basement dwellings.
