The New Liberal Podcast Voting to Build More Housing in New York ft. Alec Schierenbeck
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Oct 25, 2025 Alec Schierenbeck, the Executive Director of the New York City Charter Revision Commission, dives into the crucial ballot amendments aimed at unlocking more housing in NYC. He explains how the city charter functions as a governance guide and critiques the hurdles of the existing land-use review process, ULURP. From fast-tracking affordable housing projects to creating a digital map for efficiency, Alec outlines how these changes could streamline housing production. He also shares insights on political opposition and the importance of small multifamily projects for the city's housing future.
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Three Structural Flaws Blocking Housing
- ULURP creates three main problems: it hinders publicly financed affordable housing, blocks small changes, and freezes out districts where housing is politically toxic.
- Those structural issues deter proposals and deepen inequities in where housing gets built.
Enable A Fast Track For Modest Builds
- Create a faster, simpler review path for modest projects like ≤30% increases or buildings ≤45 feet tall.
- Enable smaller builders and MWBEs to pursue incremental housing that the current process discourages.
Modest Multifamily Drove Past Growth
- Historic housing growth in NYC mainly came from modest multifamily buildings like six-story walk-ups.
- Restoring pathways for that scale could revive affordable, widespread housing production.