Good morning, my name is Matthew Flower, Housing Research Intern at Regional Plan Association. Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
RPA has long advocated for more housing in central, transit-rich areas, such as Downtown Jamaica. We have also been a longtime partner in this neighborhood and have advocated for many of the specific components of this proposed rezoning. As such, we strongly support this proposal.
In particular, we support the mapping of a Mandatory Inclusionary Housing zone, which will deliver up to 4,000 new affordable housing units as part of the development of over 12,000 total housing units. This will provide much-needed new housing to a transit-rich neighborhood that currently lacks affordable options.
The proposal also delivers necessary updates to land use and zoning policies in Jamaica which provide more flexibility in building dimensions and uses, higher densities, and reduced parking requirements.
With over half a million new homes needed in the region, this proposal represents an important step forward. New York City is facing a significant housing crisis, as demand for housing units, particularly affordable ones, is at an all-time high. The city faces a historically low rental vacancy rate of just 1.4%. As a result of the housing shortage, market-rate rents in New York City have increased by 36% since 2015. Today, 52% of renters are cost-burdened, spending up to a third of their income on housing. Nearly a third are severely cost-burdened, spending half or more. Homeowners are also impacted, with 44% considered burdened by housing costs.
Last year, RPA published the “Homes on Track” report, which advocates for thriving communities near transit. Downtown Jamaica ranked high on RPA’s opportunity score for Transit Oriented Development, or TOD. It is considered a “TOD-ready” location.
The Jamaica study area has many of the place-based characteristics that drive successful transit-oriented development. With numerous subways, rail lines and bus routes, residents can access about 640,000 jobs within a 45-minute multi-modal commute. Jamaica Station is a major hub on the Long Island Rail Road and is surrounded by a diverse mix of buildings and land uses. Additionally, there is about 12 acres of vacant land and 74 acres of unbuilt lots within half a mile of the station, offering opportunities for infill development.
In addition to better balancing the needs between new affordable housing, manufacturing uses, and commercial business owners, the proposal seeks to map new Manufacturing districts recently created by the City of Yes for Economic Opportunity text amendment. The new districts will generate transition areas between core industrial and growth districts, removing barriers to business location, providing more diverse densities and building types, and streamlining parking and loading regulations.
The forward-looking land use and zoning policies being considered today can shape a more vibrant and inclusive Downtown Jamaica. As such, we recommend that the City Planning Commission adopt this measure. As always, RPA is available to discuss concerns or offer insights to help realize our shared priorities.
