Update as of 5:12PM EST, November 11, 2015: This post has been revised to note that CB9 voted YES to the changes however will revisit the issue on November 16th with more information being provided and will vote again on November 18th as per Michael Beltzer, CB9 Board Member.

Update 2 as of 7:12PM EST, November 11, 2015 CB3 has voted NO for a total of 9 out of 12 Bronx Community boards voting NO.

9 out of 12 Bronx community boards have voted NO (2 voted yes) so far on the city’s planned changes to the zoning text to include for Mandatory Inclusionary Housing and Zoning on Quality and Affordability. This all comes on the eve of Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr Bronx Board public hearing to be held tomorrow, Thursday, Nov 12th at 6pm.

Will Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr LISTEN to the will of the people?

According to the city, “Mandatory Inclusionary Housing would result in more affordable housing for a wider range of New Yorkers, all of it required as a condition to build housing on the land. It would be responsive to neighborhood needs, with a set of income mix options that the City Planning Commission and Council can work together to apply within each rezoned area through the land use process.”

We already know that “Affordable” Housing is a myth for it not only isn’t affordable for the community they are constructed in but they also leave out a vast segment of the population in the middle income bracket as well as the low income end of the spectrum. The city needs to focus on creating truly affordable housing for all and affordable in the communities they intend to build these units.

The breakdown of voting is as follows:

CB1-NO

CB2-NO

CB3-NO

CB4-NO (Covers controversial Cromwell-Jerome Study Area for rezoning)

CB5-Voting on Nov 18, hearing already occurred (Covers controversial Cromwell-Jerome Study Area for rezoning)

CB6-YES

CB7-NO

CB8-NO

CB9-YES however, per board member more information will be presented on Nov 16th and the voting again on the 18th

CB10-NO

CB11-NO

CB12-NO

CASA New Settlement Apartments along with New York Communities for Change, South Bronx Unite, Picture the Homeless, Banana Kelly, CIA, United Auto Merchants Association, Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition, Mothers on the Move are calling for Bronx residents to rally tomorrow before the hearing at 5:30PM at 851 Grand Concourse at 161st Street at the Bronx Supreme Court House and then proceed to the hearing in room 600 at 6:00PM

Via CASA:

***Media Advisory for Thursday, November 12, 5:30p.m., 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY ***

Media Contacts:

Renata Pumarol 646.462.9281 rpumarol@nycommunities.org

Susanna Blankley 917.691.0544 s.blankley@newsettlement.org

Wary of Gentrification and Displacement, Bronx Residents Protest Controversial Development in

South Bronx

Weeks after a controversial “Bronx is Burning” party in the South Bronx, residents will target Ruben Díaz for attending the party and fueling gentrification

WHO: Bronx residents, faith leaders, union members, local artists, CASA-New Settlement Apartments, New York Communities for Change, South Bronx Unite, Picture the Homeless, Banana Kelly, United Auto Merchants Association, Mothers on the Move, South Bronx Community Congress, Welcome2TheBronx, The Bronx Documentary Center. List in formation.

WHAT: A diverse coalition of local organizations and community members will rally and testify at the Bronx Borough President’s hearing for Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning. The current proposal would require that developers who build housing as a result of rezoning, set aside 30% of the units as affordable to families making an average of $69,000.

The Borough President’s proposal is a slap in the face for Bronx residents who have an average income of $25,000. The proposal will not provide any affordable units for those who need it the most. So far, almost every community board in the Bronx has voted it down.

Residents will demand developments that work for everyone in the South Bronx, and offers affordable housing to its residents.

This hearing comes just two weeks after the Borough President attended a party funded and hosted by developers who have renamed Port Morris the “Piano District” and who are building apartments where rents will start at $3,000/month.

WHEN: Thursday, November 12, 5:30pm

Hearing begins in Suite 600 at 6pm.

WHERE: 851 Grand Concourse, at 161st Street.

Susanna Blankley, Director

CASA: Community Action for Safe Apartments

New Settlement Apartments

718-716-8000, ext. 125; 917-691-0544

www.casapower.org

@CASABronx