New York Note: Council Hearing and Taskforce, DCLA Leadership, FHGS Draft Report

City Council Hearing on Pied-à-Terre Tax Rollout

The City Council held a joint oversight hearing on August 18, conducted by the Committees on Governmental Operations, State and Federal Legislation, and Finance, to review the implementation of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s tax on luxury second homes. Council Member Gale Brewer led the hearing, which examined how the Department of Finance identified properties, notified owners, and determined which were subject to the surcharge, with Brewer questioning why the city published a property list it knew was inaccurate. Administration officials declined to attend, citing an ongoing lawsuit, though Department of Finance head Richard Lee submitted written testimony stating the notices were an initial determination rather than a final one. Real estate industry representatives also testified with concerns about the public property list.

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Council Launches Census Taskforce

City Council Speaker Julie Menin announced the launch of a new Census Taskforce, convening its inaugural meeting in early preparation for the 2030 Census. The taskforce brings together community leaders, census experts, advocates, researchers, faith leaders, labor representatives, and civic institutions to inform the work of the newly established Office of the Census, which was signed into law last November. Co-chairs include Menin, L. Joy Williams of the NAACP New York State Conference, Emely Paez of United Way of New York City, and Jeffrey M. Wice of New York Law School. Over the next year, the taskforce will conduct research and community outreach and produce a report with best practices and recommendations, while continuing to oppose the Trump administration’s effort to include a citizenship question in the 2030 Census.

DCLA Names New Deputy Commissioner and Chief of Staff

The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs announced two senior leadership appointments, naming Bryan Joseph Lee as Deputy Commissioner and Ryan Max as Chief of Staff. Lee is a cultural strategist and producer who founded the Harlem-based consultancy CNTR ARTS in 2021 and previously served as artistic director of the Public Forum at the Public Theater, where he produced more than 75 programs featuring over 250 artists. Max has served as the department’s director of external affairs since 2014, overseeing communications strategy and leading public rollouts of initiatives including the IDNYC cultural benefit program throughout the city.

Fair Housing Growth Strategy Draft Report Released

Cozen O’Connor Member Rachel Scall authored an article examining New York City’s newly released Fair Housing Growth Strategy (FHGS) draft report, which sets a city-wide target to produce 700,000 housing units by the end of 2035 and translates the city’s 10-year housing goals into five-year production targets and strategies across its 59 community districts. The draft report, the city’s first FHGS required under a 2023 law, creates a significant and time-sensitive opportunity for developers, investors, and community stakeholders to shape where new housing, including affordable, deeply affordable, and supportive units, will be encouraged over the next decade. View the full article for more information on the Housing Production Targets, community district growth categories, and key deadlines.

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