For Immediate Release: November 16, 2022
Media Contact: Diego de la Vega; diego@ocasiocortez.com; 347-553-3387
 

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Statement on Innovation QNS
“I support Astoria community members in their push that any new major housing development be majority affordable.”

NEW YORK – On November 16, 2022, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez released the following statement regarding the development of Innovation QNS, the largest proposed development in the history of Queens:

“I support Astoria community members in their push that any new major housing development be majority affordable. The vast majority of the Innovation QNS units will be at a luxury rate, and the developer has only guaranteed that 25% of units will be permanently affordable - far below the 50% of Astoria residents whose incomes fall below affordability guidelines. Promises of a 40% affordability rate rely on the City subsidizing 15% of those units, to which the City has yet to agree. Substantial public subsidy of affordable housing would be an historic and welcome investment in Western Queens.

We must move forward with a transformative vision of affordability in New York that makes major, strategic, and bold public commitments to housing. Our approach must be guided by tangible solutions in the short term — penalizing long-term warehousing of over 88,830 currently vacant stabilized apartments and strengthening enforcement of the illegal short-term rentals that are keeping units away from New Yorkers, as well as our work in Congress repealing the Faircloth Amendment which limits public housing stock. Additionally, New York City can and should look towards the Viennese and Singaporean social housing models for inspiration on effective examples of policy that heavily invests in robust public housing built on public land for public use. Progress towards a livable, affordable New York will be paved by a social housing sector that guarantees dignified living for all New Yorkers.”

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