The "City of Yes" plan, proposed by Mayor Eric Adams, aims to address New York City's ongoing

Written by Kaina Santana, M.A .

The "City of Yes" plan, proposed by Mayor Eric Adams, aims to address New York City's ongoing housing crisis by increasing the supply of affordable housing, supporting local businesses, and expanding green spaces in underserved neighborhoods. While the plan promises to create opportunities and enhance community well-being, it has sparked heated debates about its potential impact on equity and the risk of gentrification.

What the City of Yes Aims to Achieve:

Affordable Housing Expansion

One major focus of the “City of Yes” plan is affordable housing. The proposal aims to change zoning laws to allow for taller buildings and more housing units in neighborhoods citywide, hoping to ease the housing crisis by increasing supply as NYC’s housing vacancy rates have recently decreased to a whopping 1.4%— the lowest its ever been. In theory, this would drive down housing costs and make living in NYC more accessible to a broader range of residents.

Supporting Small Business Growth

The plan also seeks to support small businesses, especially in economically marginalized neighborhoods. By revising zoning restrictions, the city hopes to make it easier for local entrepreneurs to open and maintain businesses, creating a vibrant, inclusive local economy. This shift aims to keep the small-business culture that’s essential to New York’s character, especially in neighborhoods where local businesses have historically struggled to survive.

Green Space and Sustainable Development

“City of Yes” also puts environmental equity in focus with an aim of introducing more green spaces, bike lanes, and sustainable infrastructure to underserved neighborhoods. This approach is intended to bring cleaner, greener living to communities that have often lacked investment in parks and recreational areas, improving quality of life and public health for residents.

My Thoughts: Will This Really Work for All New Yorkers?

Affordable Housing—But at What Cost?

For those of us who’ve grown up in New York, especially in immigrant families, staying in our neighborhoods and someday owning a home feels deeply personal. But even as this plan suggests increasing affordable housing, I can’t help but wonder: will these changes actually lower prices for the people who already live here, or just pave the way for gentrification? As housing prices continue to rise, I fear some neighborhoods may lose their cultural roots, becoming unrecognizable to those who call them home.

Small Business Support or Big Business Invasion?

I love the idea of fostering more local business opportunities. As someone who’s watched local bodegas, salons/barbershops, and diners anchor entire communities, this aspect of the plan matters. But if zoning changes make these areas appealing to bigger, wealthier companies, will local entrepreneurs be able to keep up? There’s a risk that these businesses, whom are woven into the fabric of our communities, could get overrun by new storefronts without the soul of the local spots that make New York what it was/is struggling to keep. We have seen this time and time again.

Green Space and Its Hidden Consequences

The push for more green spaces and bike lanes is an inspiring step. But I can’t ignore how these kinds of improvements often lead to higher property values and, in turn, displacement. Neighborhoods that gain parks, trails, or other amenities quickly become attractive to wealthier residents, pricing out the very people these green spaces were meant to benefit and this is just a point we cannot ignore.

The Reality of Displacement

As a kid, I felt immense gratitude for my immigrant mother, who left everything behind in the Dominican Republic to build a life in this city of dreams. I grew up in Bushwick, a neighborhood that was once a tight-knit community filled with families like mine. But as gentrification took hold, rising rents became a harsh reality. It wasn’t long before I was displaced, forced to leave the place I called home and move to Brownsville, a lower-income neighborhood, as that was all we could afford.

Admittedly, it feels bittersweet to see Bushwick transform into a vibrant area filled with modern green spaces, trendy restaurants, and new developments. While these changes should be celebrated, I can’t shake this profound sense of loss knowing I can’t experience them. I’m sure many displaced families share this sentiment.

So, as hopeful as I am, I hope the "City of Yes" plan includes strong protections—because New York-bred natives like me want to keep calling this city home, not watch it slip away.