How New York’s Next Mayor Can Shape Land Use and Planning: Alternative Housing Types

Demographic shifts have led to an increasing number of New Yorkers living alone, but New York’s housing stock remains largely geared toward larger households. For years, New York City has been experimenting with allowing alternative forms of housing, to provide lower-cost options to single adults while freeing up larger units for couples and families, but their wide adoption raises concerns about quality and substandard housing historically associated with this kind of housing. The next mayor will need to consider whether Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), Single Room Occupancy Units (SROs), and micro-units can help New York City address its affordability and homelessness crises.