NYC Speeds Up Review for Housing, Resiliency Projects

Expedited Land Use Review Procedure will accelerate affordable housing and climate resilience projects

Feb. 21, 2026 at 7:38am

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Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani has launched the City's first Expedited Land Use Review Procedure (ELURP) for a project that will create approximately 84 affordable homes in the Bronx. The Department of City Planning will also begin the review process for the City to acquire land next to Saw Mill Creek Marsh Park on Staten Island as part of ongoing restoration and conservation efforts. ELURP offers a streamlined public review process for modest housing and climate resiliency projects, reducing the timeline from roughly seven months to 90 days.

Why it matters

Accelerating the development of affordable housing and climate resilience projects is crucial for addressing New York City's housing crisis and preparing for the impacts of climate change. The new ELURP process will help get affordable homes built faster and expand critical infrastructure to protect vulnerable communities.

The details

The 351 Powers Ave. project in the Bronx will create approximately 84 affordable homes, including 30 for formerly homeless residents, as well as a workforce development training center, a theater, and indoor and outdoor recreational space. On Staten Island, the City will acquire land adjacent to Saw Mill Creek Marsh Park to strengthen local restoration and conservation efforts and expand climate resiliency infrastructure.

  • The ELURP process will conclude within 90 days, down from roughly seven months under the standard process.
  • The Affordable Housing Fast Track will accelerate public review for affordable housing proposals in the 12 community districts that produced the least affordable housing over the past five years.

The players

Zohran Kwame Mamdani

The Mayor of New York City who launched the ELURP process and the Affordable Housing Fast Track.

Leila Bozorg

The Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning who is ensuring that every neighborhood contributes to a more vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive New York City.

Dina Levy

The Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner who oversees the 351 Powers project, which will turn a parking lot into more than 80 affordable homes.

Dan Garodnick

The Director of the Department of City Planning and Chair of the City Planning Commission who is working to put last year's reforms to create the housing New York City needs.

Vanessa L. Gibson

The Bronx Borough President who supports the 351 Powers Avenue project as an important opportunity to expand housing options for residents and families in the Bronx.

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What they’re saying

“Treating the housing crisis with the urgency it demands means moving at the speed of need. The Affordable Housing Fast Track and these first expedited projects are about action. Mott Haven is just the beginning. We are using every tool available to build affordable housing projects faster, so working people can afford to stay in the city they call home.”

— Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Mayor (Mirage News)

“Delivering affordable housing more quickly is essential to building a city that New Yorkers can afford. With our first expedited ELURP projects, the forthcoming Affordable Housing Fast Track and other new tools, we're ensuring that every neighborhood contributes to a more vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive New York City.”

— Leila Bozorg, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning (Mirage News)

“Soon, this parking lot will become more than 80 affordable homes, including approximately 30 apartments for currently homeless New Yorkers as well as new community space. Our 351 Powers project is about using public land more responsibly and cutting through unnecessary delays so we can build more affordable housing faster. This is the new era of turning ready to build sites into quality, affordable homes at the speed this housing crisis demands.”

— Dina Levy, Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner (Mirage News)

“Last year, voters authorized new tools to tackle the housing crisis and we're wasting no time putting them to work. Expedited review for this income-restricted housing proposal will help get shovels in the ground and people into homes faster than ever. And this is only the start - I look forward to seeing many more projects take advantage of last year's reforms to create the housing we need across New York City.”

— Dan Garodnick, Director of the Department of City Planning and Chair of the City Planning Commission (Mirage News)

“351 Powers Avenue represents an important opportunity to expand housing options for our residents and families in the Bronx. As our city continues to face a housing crisis, it is critical that we invest in deeply affordable, high-quality, and safe housing that reflects the needs of our borough and preserves the character of our community. I want to thank Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the New York City Department of City Planning, and the New York City Housing Preservation and Development for their partnership and commitment to equitable growth.”

— Vanessa L. Gibson, Bronx Borough President (Mirage News)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Accelerating the development of affordable housing and climate resilience projects through streamlined review processes like ELURP is crucial for addressing New York City's housing crisis and preparing for the impacts of climate change. This new approach demonstrates the city's commitment to using every tool available to build the homes and infrastructure that New Yorkers need.