You are reading

Eric Adams Outlines Plan to Convert Hotels Located in The Outer Boroughs Into Affordable Housing

Eric Adams outlined a plan Monday that involves converting economically distressed hotels in the outer boroughs into supportive housing. He held a press conference to announce the plan outside the boarded-up Phoenix Hotel in Brooklyn yesterday (Eric Adams via Twitter)

Sept. 21, 2021 By Allie Griffin

Democratic mayoral nominee Eric Adams wants to convert 25,000 outer-borough hotel rooms into permanent affordable housing.

Adams outlined a plan — during a press conference in Sunset Park Monday — for the city to acquire economically distressed hotels in the outer boroughs and convert them into supportive housing.

The mayoral candidate and Brooklyn Borough President said he would utilize city funds as well as state and federal dollars to purchase and convert hotels.

Adams said he would also amend city planning rules and building codes to speed up the conversion of hotels as part of his plan. He also proposed including on-site services for homeless New Yorkers at the converted hotels.

Adams said converting existing hotels into housing is a cheaper and quicker alternative than building affordable housing from the ground up.

His plan focuses on hotels in the outer boroughs since hotels there have been slower to bounce back from the pandemic than hotels in Manhattan. The hotel industry was one of the hardest hit by the pandemic and resulting shutdown — about 50 hotels have permanently closed citywide, according to the Hotel Association of New York City.

“The combination of over-development of hotels in the outer-boroughs and the economic crisis caused by the pandemic has created a once-in-a-generation opportunity to convert empty, distressed hotels into desperately needed permanently affordable housing–and we must act quickly,” Adams said.

He estimates that his plan would create 25,000 supportive housing units in the outer boroughs like Queens. Queens has a large share of the city’s hotels as it’s home to the city’s two major airports.

Adams was joined by State Sen. Michael Gianaris at the conference outside a dilapidated hotel in Brooklyn.

Gianaris recently shepherded a bill through the state legislature that sets aside $100 million for such hotel conversions. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the bill, called the Housing Our Neighbors with Dignity (HONDA) Act, into law last month.

“New York has seen a decades-long affordable housing crunch exacerbated by the covid-19 pandemic and ensuing economic devastation,” Gianaris said. “Converting failing buildings is a good way to tackle the dual problems of distressed properties and lack of affordable housing.”

He added that he was excited to work with Adams to implement his plan.

email the author: news@queenspost.com
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

From spa retreats to public pools: Queens has a swim spot for everyone

Jun. 13, 2025 By Jessica Militello

With temperatures rising and the official start of summer just around the corner, there’s no better time to find a pool in Queens to help you beat the heat. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing spa escape, a rooftop party spot, or a free afternoon swim in your neighborhood, Queens offers a range of pool experiences for every vibe and budget.

Verbal dispute escalates to gunfire on Ozone Park street: NYPD

Police from the 106th Precinct are looking for a gunman who opened fire on a quiet residential block in Ozone Park broad daylight after arguing with an unknown individual on the afternoon of Friday, June 6.

The suspect became involved in a beef with the other person in front of a home at 103-35 105th Street at the corner of 103rd Drive, a block north of Liberty Avenue, just before 4:30 p.m. As the verbal dispute intensified, the perpetrator pulled out a firearm and discharged it multiple times before running off down 105th Street. There were no injuries reported as a result of the shooting, and what triggered the argument between the gunman and the other person has not been disclosed, according to a police spokesman.

Outdoor bars and beer gardens to enjoy this summer in Queens

Jun. 11, 2025 By Jessica Militello

With sunsets past 8 p.m. and temperatures on the rise, now is the perfect time to grab a drink or a bite outdoors and soak in the sights and sounds of Queens. Whether you’re catching up with friends after work or planning a weekend brunch, the borough is filled with beer gardens, rooftop lounges, and patio spots to make the most of the season.

Moped rider struck and killed in South Ozone Park chain-reaction hit-and-run by wrong-way driver: NYPD

A moped rider from Ozone Park was struck and killed during a chain reaction hit-and-run crash after he was struck by a mystery vehicle in South Ozone Park on the night of Tuesday, June 10.

Police from the 106th Precinct in South Ozone Park responded to a 911 call of a vehicle collision at the intersection of 121st Street and 149th Avenue just after 10 p.m. and found the injured rider lying on the roadway.