The Manhattan Plan is an initiative to address NYC’s housing crisis by adding 100,000 new homes to Manhattan over the next decade. In order to develop a toolkit of strategies that can achieve this goal, the NYC Department of City Planning launched a planning and engagement process to hear from community members and stakeholders across Manhattan. The intention is to hear thoughts from Manhattanites from all neighborhoods about what’s important to them, where housing should go, and to share ideas for how to get to 100,000 new homes.
Throughout Summer 2025 and into the Fall, community engagement includes pop-up activities at greenmarkets, open streets, parks, and other events; an online survey and interactive map to share ideas; and stakeholder meetings and interviews with local housing, development and community experts. Engagement activities will be held in all districts of Manhattan. The project will synthesize community and stakeholder feedback, identifying a collection of ideas to grow housing. It will also contextualize the ideas within an assessment of recent infrastructure and amenities analysis and projects to ensure that growth is considered alongside neighborhood services.
For most of NYC’s history, Manhattan has been a place where people of all backgrounds could find an apartment and start their journeys in New York City. Manhattanites enjoy unparalleled access to jobs, public transit, and other amenities. But finding a home in Manhattan has become out of reach for more and more people over the last several decades, as housing production lags and housing costs rise. 47% of Manhattanites are rent-burdened, and median asking rent has increased by 50% since 2010. There is an urgent need for more income-restricted affordable homes.
Agency is leading a team to support the Manhattan Plan, which includes collaboration with Hive Public Space, Karp Strategies, and Partner & Partners, and advisory support from Marble Fairbanks Architects, Buro Happold, and Sherwood Design Engineers.
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