The New York City Council is considering two new housing bills that would do more harm than good, if passed. One bill would require developers to pay prevailing wages on practically all affordable housing projects. Though well-meaning, this proposal would significantly increase the cost of building affordable housing in the city. Meanwhile, the other bill would give first rights to nonprofits and community land trusts when public lands are sold, thereby hampering efforts by private industry to build affordable housing on public lands. New York City is already suffering a historic housing shortage, and each bill, if passed, would further slow housing production in the city. – Commercial Observer
