Mayor Adams to Announce Housing Plans for City Workers and Veterans
Mayor Eric Adams is set to unveil plans on Thursday aimed at boosting the number of affordable housing units prioritized for city employees and military veterans.
The initiative will increase the share of new or existing units designated for city workers and veterans from 5% to 10% as part of the Housing Connect Lottery Program. This marks the first time that military veterans will have access to such a preference.
“Having served the city my whole life, I understand the sacrifices made by our city employees daily—keeping New Yorkers safe, teaching our children, and ensuring families save money,” Adams commented.
The announcement will take place during a virtual city hall meeting for city workers who need housing in five specific districts.
“We aim to ensure that the civil servants who underpin our city can afford to live here,” Adams said, emphasizing the goal of doubling the affordable housing preferences for outstanding city employees.
He added, “But there’s more. Too many military veterans face housing challenges. After serving our country—whether overseas or at home—they should find affordable options available to them.” This new program enables veterans to qualify for these housing opportunities.
Residents can apply for housing priced below the market rates, funded by the city’s Housing Protection Development Agency and the Housing Development Corporation.
In related news, an NYPD union president noted that having law enforcement officers living in the city contributes to public safety. Scott Munro, president of the Detective Fund Association, stated, “More protections for the citizens we serve are not unjust. We support Mayor Adams’ efforts.”
Adams is actively pursuing a range of housing initiatives, including a “Yes City” zoning change projected to facilitate the construction of 80,000 new homes within 15 years.
Furthermore, on Monday, he proposed a plan for 3,000 new housing units at the former Flushing Airport site in College Point, Queens.
Adams is also campaigning for reelection this fall on an independent ticket, facing competition from Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani and Republican Curtis Sliwa, as well as former Governor Andrew Cuomo and attorney Jim Walden.
