The City Council this week raised the income level for Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption eligibility from $29,000 to $50,000, effective for renewals and applications July 1st.
Mayor de Blasio stumped for his housing plan at the annual New York State Affordable Housing Association meeting, saying there will be a streamlined process for mandatory inclusionary zoning, reduced parking requirements in some areas, amended floor area caps, and new flexibility on floor-to-floor height rules. He also plans to cut times for getting permits and approvals, but has not yet appointed a Buildings Commissioner.
He is, however, expected to appoint a new chair for the Landmarks Preservation Commission soon. The Wall Street Journal reported today that he will name current Board of Standards and Appeals chair Meenakshi Srinivasan to the post.
Bills to reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac seem to be dying in Washington, and Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Melvin Watt does not seem interested in changing existing policies. He said this week that he would not require the companies to reduce their purchases of loans on multifamily buildings this year.