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According to a press release published on NYC Newswire, New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin announced proposed reforms to the City’s Construction Codes to unlock housing development on small lots across the five boroughs. These reforms are intended to reduce regulatory barriers that limit housing production and contribute to the city’s ongoing housing shortage.
The NYC 35K Home initiative targets underused and vacant small lots across New York City as a key source of new housing supply.
Speaker Menin’s proposal identifies nearly 3,000 small lots that could support new residential development. Through targeted construction code reforms, these sites could deliver up to 35,000 new housing units without requiring major zoning changes.
“Across the five boroughs, there are thousands of small, underutilized lots that have the potential to deliver tens of thousands of new homes, but outdated rules and unnecessary red tape are standing in the way,” said Speaker Julie Menin. “That’s why we’re taking a proactive approach by convening a first-of-its-kind Advisory Group on Housing Affordability and advancing smart, targeted reforms to our Construction Codes. At a moment when vacancy is at historic lows and rents are at record highs, we have an obligation to act boldly and deliver real results for New Yorkers.”
The proposal outlines how construction code changes could allow buildings of up to eight stories on qualifying small lots.
These reforms are expected to:
In addition, officials note that activating these sites could generate new construction jobs and increase long-term tax revenue for the city.
New York City is currently experiencing a 1.4 percent housing vacancy rate, the lowest in more than five decades. As a result, housing demand continues to significantly exceed supply across all five boroughs.
A new Council Advisory Group on Housing Affordability will help guide the implementation of the proposal.
The group brings together experts in architecture, engineering, urban planning, labor, finance, and housing policy. Its role is to refine legislative and design strategies that expand housing while maintaining safety standards.
The advisory group will also evaluate practical reforms that can accelerate housing development on small urban lots.
The NYC 35K Home plan reflects a broader shift in NYC Politics toward unlocking incremental housing opportunities within existing neighborhoods.
Instead of relying solely on large-scale rezoning, the strategy focuses on smaller parcels of land that are already embedded in the city fabric. As a result, policymakers aim to create faster pathways for housing production. At the same time, they seek to preserve neighborhood structure.
This approach highlights a growing policy focus on efficiency, affordability, and land optimization across New York City.
The proposal has received support from housing advocates, labor leaders, and industry professionals who view it as a practical step toward addressing the housing shortage.
“New York City is in a deep affordability crisis, and every additional home unlocked matters,” said Council Member Pierina Sanchez. “I applaud Speaker Menin for launching this Advisory Group to unlock more housing across the city, including on small lots that have long gone underutilized. This effort will bring experts together in a new format to allow NYC to consider legislative reforms and design efficiencies that maintain safety while expanding opportunities to build.”
“The City Council’s building code reform initiative is a smart and necessary step toward reducing construction costs and bringing New York City’s building code in line with global best practices,” said Maddie DeCerbo, Director of Urban Planning, Real Estate Board of New York.
“The New York Building Congress applauds Speaker Menin and the City Council for forming the Construction Code Reform Advisory Group at a time when New York needs more housing and less red tape,” said Carlo A. Scissura, Esq., President & CEO, New York Building Congress.
The City Council will continue reviewing proposed construction code reforms while the Advisory Group develops recommendations for housing expansion strategies.
If approved, the NYC 35K Home initiative could unlock thousands of new housing units across New York City over time.
Further details were first outlined in an official press release distributed via NYC Newswire.
What is the NYC 35K Home plan?
It is a proposal to unlock up to 35,000 new housing units on small and underused lots across New York City through targeted construction code reforms.
Where will the homes be built?
Across approximately 2,850 small or underutilized lots in all five boroughs.
Why is this plan important?
It seeks to increase housing supply, reduce costs, and improve land use efficiency during a severe housing shortage.