In a recent government meeting, discussions centered on the housing crisis and the challenges surrounding both market-rate and affordable housing in Brooklyn. A key point raised was the stagnation in housing development since the 1950s, despite perceptions of increased construction. Research presented indicated that while new housing units have been added, the overall impact on alleviating housing shortages has been minimal.

The conversation also highlighted the current vacancy rate in Brooklyn, which stands at approximately 1.27%. However, officials noted that this figure can be misleading, as many units classified as vacant may be under lease but not yet occupied, or require renovations before they can be lived in. Further data on the specifics of these vacancies is expected to be provided soon.

Chairperson Lowman expressed concerns regarding parking availability, attributing the high vacancy rates in parking lots to unaffordable pricing. He emphasized the importance of parking in Community Board 5 and criticized the approach of allowing developers to determine parking needs, suggesting it could exacerbate existing issues.

Additionally, Lowman pointed out the disparity in affordable housing distribution, noting that while some areas have seen significant development, others have not contributed to affordable housing efforts. He called for a more equitable approach to housing that considers the Area Median Income (AMI) of the neighborhoods in which new developments are proposed. The discussions underscored the complexities of addressing housing needs in Brooklyn, with a clear call for more targeted and inclusive strategies moving forward.