The Urbanist New York: privatising housing co-ops, mapping congestion and the ‘City of Yes’
Apr 3, 2025
Jonathan Tarleton, an urban planner and author focused on housing co-ops, reveals insights from his book on their privatization in New York. Sarah Holder discusses the 'City of Yes' initiative, aiming to boost residential spaces while tackling local zoning challenges. Andy Marchant shares data from TomTom's traffic index, analyzing congestion and potential solutions for urban areas like NYC and London. Together, they explore the intersection of housing, traffic, and innovative urban planning to create a more livable city.
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Two Co-ops' Privatization Dilemma
- Jonathan Tarleton's book, "Homes for Living," profiles two New York City co-ops facing privatization.
- Residents debate abandoning affordability rules for personal profit, raising questions of ownership and intergenerational equity.
Limited-Equity Co-ops: An Overview
- Limited-equity co-ops, unlike typical co-ops or homes, have resale restrictions.
- This keeps prices affordable, contrasting with market-driven sales common in the broader US housing market.
Origins of Affordable Housing Co-ops
- The Mitchell-Lama program, created in the 1950s, aimed to provide affordable housing for middle-income families.
- This program offered a solution for those ineligible for public housing yet unable to afford market-rate homes.
