The Brooklyn Borough Board convened on January 7, 2025, to discuss critical housing strategies and zoning incentives aimed at addressing the ongoing housing crisis in the borough. The meeting highlighted the need for job-generating uses in mid-block areas and introduced a new zoning incentive that allows mixed-use buildings to gain additional height if they include such uses.

Sarit Plotkin from the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) presented a comprehensive overview of the city's housing strategies, emphasizing the dual focus on preserving existing affordable housing and creating new units. The strategies were developed in response to community feedback regarding rising housing costs and a shortage of available homes.

Key initiatives discussed included the Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) program, which mandates that 20 to 30 percent of units in newly constructed buildings be set aside for permanently affordable rent-stabilized homes. Plotkin noted that over 1,000 new affordable units are expected to be part of this program in the AMAP area, with specific income qualifications to ensure accessibility for low- and moderate-income families.

The meeting also detailed several public sites earmarked for redevelopment into affordable housing, including the Dean Park Edge and Bergen Green projects, which will provide homes for older New Yorkers and low-income families. These developments aim to integrate social services and community spaces, enhancing the overall neighborhood environment.

In addition to creating new housing, the board discussed initiatives to protect existing tenants from displacement and harassment. The HPD's "Partners in Preservation" program will allocate $3 million to support community organizations combating landlord harassment, while a $7 million funding reinstatement will provide legal services for tenants facing eviction and housing violations.

The meeting concluded with an invitation for public testimony, allowing community members to voice their opinions and concerns regarding the proposed housing strategies. The board emphasized the importance of community engagement in shaping effective housing policies and ensuring that the needs of Brooklyn residents are met.

Overall, the meeting underscored the borough's commitment to addressing housing affordability and stability through a combination of new developments and tenant protections, with further public input encouraged until January 10, 2025.