Two proposed Crown Heights developments would need to meet Mandatory Inclusionary Housing requirements to get their blocks rezoned. Image by Anya ulinich

New development projects in New York City, like the proposed 16-story residential buildings in a Crown Heights area zoned for smaller buildings, have to provide certain percentages of below-market units due to the city’s Mandatory Inclusionary Housing policy.

Mayor Bill de Blasio pushed through the new MIH guidelines in 2016, making it compulsory for developers seeking to upzone in low-income areas to create a mix of below-market units in their buildings. The new housing regulations were projected to create upwards of 12,000 out of the 80,000 affordable units City Hall aims to build over a 10-year period.

The two Brooklyn buildings would create 518 apartments, of which about 140 would be below-market. The rezoning would also allow for the construction of a supermarket in one of the developments.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

Rents in affordable units are pegged to an Area Median Income. Buildings are allowed to designate fewer affordable units if they are at an even lower rate than what is mandated.

Advocates have argued MIH does not create enough housing affordable for lower-income residents and will only work to speed up gentrification through rezoning working and middle class areas.

Crown Heights activists petitioned against the development in 2017 and the developers pulled their application before reapplying in June.

Contact Ben Fractenberg at [email protected] or on Twitter, @fractenberg

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount