New York, New York, Question 2, Expedited Public Process for Affordable Housing Charter Amendment (November 2025)

New York Question 2
Election date November 4, 2025
Topic Local charter amendments and Local housing policy
Status Approved
Type Referral

New York Question 2 was on the ballot as a referral in New York on November 4, 2025. It was approved.

A "yes" vote supported creating two new public processes for affordable housing: Enable publicly financed affordable housing to be approved by the Board of Standards and Appeals after review by the affected Community Board; and Establish an expedited land use review process for zoning changes that deliver affordable housing in the 12 community districts with the lowest rate of affordable housing production.

A "no" vote opposed creating two new public processes for affordable housing: Enable publicly financed affordable housing to be approved by the Board of Standards and Appeals after review by the affected Community Board; and Establish an expedited land use review process for zoning changes that deliver affordable housing in the 12 community districts with the lowest rate of affordable housing production.

A simple majority was required to approve the measure.

Election results

New York Question 2
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		1,108,815	58.52%
No		785,970	41.48%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Overview

What did this charter amendment do to expedite the affordable housing approval process?

This measure added two new pathways in the City Charter to expedite the approval of affordable housing projects.

The first was an expedited review for certain rezoning applications in districts that build the least affordable housing. Every five years, starting in 2026, the Department of City Planning must identify 12 community districts with the lowest rates of affordable housing development. In those districts, applications that include required affordable housing under the Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) program go through an expedited land use review process instead of the regular ULURP process. This process shortens timelines by running community board and borough president reviews at the same time, requiring a City Planning Commission decision within 30 to 45 days after those reviews, and removing City Council approval.

The second authorizes the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) to grant zoning modifications for projects that are entirely affordable housing, developed through Housing Development Fund Companies. The BSA can allow changes to zoning rules on use, bulk, or parking if it finds that a project is consistent with affordable housing standards, cannot proceed without the modification, and would not alter neighborhood character. The BSA is required to hold hearings and issue decisions on a shorter timeline than previous procedures.

Measure design

Click on the following sections for summaries of the different provisions of the ballot measure.

Expand All

Create an expedited affordable housing land use procedure

The amendment added a section to the New York City Charter creating an expedited review process for affordable housing applications in community districts with the lowest levels of affordable housing production.

Every five years, beginning in 2026, the Department of City Planning must publish a list of the 12 community districts with the lowest rate of affordable housing development, measured by the percentage of new affordable units relative to total housing units. In those districts, rezoning and related applications that require affordable housing under the City's Mandatory Inclusionary Housing (MIH) program are subject to an expedited affordable housing review instead of the standard Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP).

The process includes:

• A 60-day community board review period, concurrent with the borough president’s review;
• A City Planning Commission hearing and final decision within 30 days after those reviews (or 45 days if an environmental impact statement is required);
• Applications certified as complete must have as their primary purpose the facilitation of new housing and affordable housing; and
• The City Planning Commission must find that applications are consistent with the city's Fair Housing Plan and that existing infrastructure is adequate.
  
  

Projects reviewed under this process do not go to the City Council for approval. The City’s Ten-Year Capital Strategy is also be required to incorporate the Fair Housing Plan and the list of districts identified every five years.

Create an expedited zoning modification process for affordable housing projects

The amendment added a new section to the City Charter authorizing the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) to grant zoning modifications for projects that are 100% affordable housing, developed through Housing Development Fund Companies.

Under this new authority, the BSA can modify zoning rules on use, bulk, or parking if the following findings are made:

• The project is consistent with affordable housing design and development standards set by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD).
• The project could not be developed, preserved, or converted without the zoning modification.
• The project would not alter the essential character of the neighborhood.
• The advantages to the community outweigh potential disadvantages.
  
  

The BSA is be required to:

• Hold a hearing within 30 days after the community board review period expires.
• Issue a decision within 30 days of that hearing, or within 60 days if a redesign is needed.
• Include evidence supporting its findings in its decision.
  
  

The process is limited to projects located in zoning districts that already permit residential uses. Decisions are shared with the City Planning Commission and HPD, which also have standing to challenge approvals or denials in court.

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for Question 2 was as follows:

“

Proposed Charter Amendment: Fast Track Affordable Housing to Build More Affordable Housing Across the City Fast track publicly financed affordable housing. Fast track applications delivering affordable housing in the community districts that produce the least affordable housing, significantly reducing review time. Maintain Community Board review. “Yes” fast tracks applications at the Board of Standards and Appeals or City Planning Commission. “No” leaves affordable housing subject to longer review and final decision at City Council.

”

Full Text

The full text of this measure is available here.

Support

Supporters

Officials

• Gov. Kathy Hochul (D)
• New York City Comptroller Brad Lander (D)
• Manhattan Borough Pres. Mark Levine (D)
• Brooklyn Borough Pres. Antonio Reynoso (D)

Candidates

• Zohran Mamdani (D) - New York City mayoral candidate

Organizations

• Abundance New York
• Association for Neighborhood & Housing Development
• Citizens Budget Commission
• Habitat for Humanity New York City and Westchester County
• League of Women Voters of New York City
• New York Housing Conference
• Open New York
• Regional Plan Association

Arguments

• New York City Charter Revision Commission: "In the bottom 12 neighborhoods that have built the least affordable housing, applications that will deliver permanently affordable housing would have access to the fast track. This fast track would include the same 60-day opportunity for Community Board review as exists today, including the extended time for applications that come over the summer. To speed review, the Borough President’s advisory review period would run concurrent with the Community Board. Following the Community Board and Borough President, the review process would conclude with the final vote by the City Planning Commission, rather than the City Council. From start to finish, this process would be twice as fast as the existing process helping to ensure more affordable housing across the city."
• Citizens Budget Commission: "The Affordable Housing Fast Track would speed up production in the 12 Community Districts that permitted the least affordable housing over the preceding five years. Property owners in these neighborhoods would be able to apply for streamlined rezonings for projects that provide affordable housing under the City’s Mandatory Inclusionary Housing program. The expedited process would have 60-day concurrent advisory reviews by the Community Board and Borough President, followed by a binding vote of the City Planning Commission (CPC), which would have 30 days to act. The Affordable Housing Fast Track would help ensure that all city neighborhoods meaningfully contribute to solving the housing crisis. This crisis is a citywide issue, but for too long some neighborhoods have been allowed to opt out of growth. New housing development has been concentrated in just a few neighborhoods. The Affordable Housing Fast Track could meaningfully boost production in neighborhoods that currently produce new housing at some of the slowest rates in the country."
• Gov. Kathy Hochul (D): "Affordability is my number one priority, and that starts with housing. The cost of living is too damn high – especially when it comes to the sky-high rents and mortgages families pay every month. The only solution to New York’s housing crisis is to build more housing, and we must use every tool in the toolbox to get it done. Props 2-5 will help ensure New Yorkers can live, thrive, and raise their families in the city they call home. It’s time to say yes to more homes, lower costs, and a stronger future for New York families."
• League of Women Voters of New York City: "The League maintains the position that government policies need to assure an adequate supply of affordable housing, support an expansion of zoning when addressing affordable housing and support increased density provided that developments ensure there is adequate infrastructure. Providing a fast track for affordable housing will avoid increased costs, excessive and unpredictable project delays, maintain appropriate review by the Community Board, Borough President, public and other government agencies."
• New York Housing Conference: "Over the past decade, the top 10 producing City Council districts added nearly 540 affordable apartments per year on average, while the bottom 10 districts added just 11."

Opposition

Opponents

Officials

• Cm. Adrienne Adams (D)
• Cm. Joann Ariola (R)
• Cm. Diana Ayala (D)
• Cm. Amanda Farías (D)
• Cm. Robert Holden (D)
• Cm. Shekar Krishnan (D)
• Cm. Sandra Nurse (D)

Unions

• 32BJ SEIU
• District Council of Carpenters
• Hotel and Gaming Trades Council

Arguments

• New York City Councilmembers Adrienne Adams, Diana Ayala, Amanda Farías, Joann Ariola: "Questions 2, 3 and 4 fail to inform voters that, if enacted, they would put a wide range of land use decisions in the hands of mayoral appointees. This would eliminate the City Council’s voting power, and would remove the ability of communities to negotiate investments and public benefits into their neighborhoods through the Council’s power."

Campaign finance

See also: Campaign finance requirements for New York ballot measures

The campaign finance information on this page reflects the most recent scheduled reports that Ballotpedia has processed, which covered through October 20, 2025. The deadline for the next scheduled reports was December 1, 2025.

Yes on Affordable Housing was the campaign registered in support of the charter amendment.

Ballotpedia did not identify a ballot measure committee registered to oppose the ballot measure.

	Cash Contributions	In-Kind Contributions	Total Contributions	Cash Expenditures	Total Expenditures
Support	$1,389,675.00	$0.00	$1,389,675.00	$202,362.33	$202,362.33
Oppose	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
Total	$1,389,675.00	$0.00	$1,389,675.00	$202,362.33	$202,362.33

Support

The following table includes contribution and expenditure totals for the committees in support of the measure.

Committees in support of Question 2
Committee	Cash Contributions	In-Kind Contributions	Total Contributions	Cash Expenditures	Total Expenditures
Yes on Affordable Housing	$1,389,675.00	$0.00	$1,389,675.00	$202,362.33	$202,362.33
Total	$1,389,675.00	$0.00	$1,389,675.00	$202,362.33	$202,362.33

Donors

The following were the top donors to the committee.

Donor	Cash Contributions	In-Kind Contributions	Total Contributions
Open New York	$400,000.00	$0.00	$400,000.00
Action Now, Inc.	$250,000.00	$0.00	$250,000.00
Lisa Primus	$250,000.00	$0.00	$250,000.00
Jamie Rubin	$120,000.00	$0.00	$120,000.00
Chloe Phitouissi	$100,000.00	$0.00	$100,000.00

Media editorials

See also: 2025 ballot measure media endorsements

Support

The following media editorial boards published an editorial supporting the ballot measure:

• New York Daily News Editorial Board: "The lack of affordable housing in the five boroughs is an emergency, like a raging fire, and decisive action is needed immediately. The Council has specialized in stalling and killing development and they must lose that power. The public, not the pols, will have the final say with the trio of ballot proposals. Proposal 2 would move affordable housing plans faster through the approval process instead of the seven months now required. Proposal 3 creates a faster review system for smaller land use projects and Proposal 4 has a new appeals structure, where the Council retains a role, but not sole discretion, to sign off on a rezoning. The Council has been wielding that power irresponsibly, which they politely call “member deference,” but we correctly label it as “local veto” over entire developments with hundreds or even thousands of units. That obstinance has to end and it will when the three amendments are made to the City Charter. As for the Council’s improper electioneering, the mailers are sent, setting a terrible precedent, but the voters should set a better one by passing Proposals 2, 3 and 4."

Opposition

Ballotpedia did not locate media editorial boards in opposition to the ballot measure.

Background

Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP)

New York City's Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) is the formal review process for major land use changes. It was established in the City Charter in 1975 to standardize and democratize how rezonings, site selections, and other significant land-use actions are decided. ULURP governed changes such as large rezonings, dispositions of city-owned land, certain affordable housing developments, and certain infrastructure projects.

Once an application is approved by the Department of City Planning, it must go through a seven-month period of review. First, the Community Board has 60 days to hold a hearing and issue an advisory recommendation. Next, the Borough President has 30 days to advise the decision. The City Planning Commission then has 60 days to vote on whether to approve, modify, or deny the application. If it passes, the City Council has up to 50 days to consider it. The Mayor can veto a Council approval, although the Council may override that veto with a two-thirds vote.

Housing production in New York City

According to the Charter Revision Commission report published in July 2025, 25,000 homes were built in New York City each year, but that this was half of what the city needed. The Commission estimated that "over the next ten years, the city is about 500,000 homes short of a healthy housing market, where costs are stable, families and individuals have options, and the city and its economy have room to grow and change over time." The Commission also noted that the building of housing is uneven, with 12 community districts adding as much housing as 47 combined.

Path to the ballot

This measure was put on the ballot through a vote of the New York City Charter Revision Commission.

How to cast a vote

See also: Voting in New York

See below to learn more about current voter registration rules, identification requirements, and poll times in New York.

How to vote in New York

Poll times

Polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. for primary and general elections. Anyone in line when the polls close must be allowed to vote.

Registration

Check your voter registration status here.

To vote in New York, one must be a United States citizen, a resident of their county, city, or village for at least 30 days before the election, and at least 18 years old by the date of the election. Pre-registration is available beginning at the age of 16. People who are in prison for a felony conviction and those who have been declared mentally incompetent by a court are ineligible to register to vote. One cannot register to vote in New York while claiming the right to vote elsewhere.

Registration applications are available at the county board of elections or any agency-based voter registration center. Forms are also available online, or prospective voters can request the form by mail.

The form must be received by election officials at least 10 days before the election. Registration done in person must be completed at least 10 days before the election. Residents may also register to vote online through the DMV Electronic Voter Registration Application or the Board of Elections' voter registration portal. These applications are forwarded to the county board of elections; applicants should allow up to six weeks for processing.

Automatic registration

See also: Automatic voter registration

New York automatically registers eligible individuals to vote through several state agencies, including the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Department of Health, the Department of Labor, and others.

Online registration

See also: Online voter registration

New York has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.

Same-day registration

See also: Same-day voter registration

New York does not allow same-day voter registration.

Residency requirements

In order to register to vote in New York, applicants must "be a resident of this state and the county, city or village for at least 30 days before the election," according to the New York State Board of Elections.

Verification of citizenship

See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

New York does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual must attest that they are a U.S. citizen when registering to vote. According to the state's voter registration application, voter who submits false information "can be convicted and fined up to $5,000 and/or jailed for up to four years."

All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment. Eight states — Alabama, Arizona, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming — have laws requiring individuals provide proof of citizenship at the time of voter registration, whether in effect or not. Three states, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi, require a person provide proof of citizenship if their citizenship status cannot be verified by other means. One state, Ohio, requires proof of citizenship only when registering to vote at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles facility. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allows noncitizens to vote in some local elections. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.

Verifying your registration

The New York State Board of Elections allows residents to check their voter registration status online by visiting this website.

Voter ID requirements

New York does not require voters to present identification while voting.

The federal Help America Vote Act requires that individuals in all 50 states who register to vote by mail and who have not voted previously in a federal election in their state must provide either their driver's license or a paycheck, bank statement, current utility bill, or government document showing their name and address. Individuals voting by mail must include a copy of one of those documents with their absentee/mail-in ballot.

These requirements do not apply if an individual submitted a copy of their identification, their driver's license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number when registering to vote. The following documents were acceptable forms of identification as of December 2025. Click here for the New York City Board of Elections page on accepted ID to ensure you have the most current information.

“

Current and Valid Photo ID Current Utility Bill Bank Statement Government Check or Paycheck Government Document that shows Name and Address

”

See also

Local measures

• Local measures in 2025
• Local charter amendments ballot measures

New York

• New York 2025 local measures
• Local ballot measures, New York
• New York, New York

News and analysis

• State and local preemption conflicts
• Measures advancing national agendas