NYC Gazette

Today, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine announced the new appointments for the 2024 class of Manhattan Community Board members. The appointees reflect an effort to ensure that community boards represent the diverse communities they serve and focus on addressing Manhattan's housing affordability crisis.

“The housing crisis is the single most pressing issue facing our borough, and we need all hands on deck to address it,” said Borough President Levine. “These appointments are about empowering the voices of those who understand and experience these challenges firsthand. I’m excited to work with this group of committed New Yorkers, all of whom will play a crucial role in developing and implementing equitable solutions that make housing more affordable for all Manhattanites.”

The announcement comes as Manhattan experiences a significant rise in median rent, which has increased by over 25% since 2021. The vacancy rate has dropped to a historic low of 1.4%, while only 870 net affordable units have been created in New York City between 2021 and 2023. This shortage impacts low-income residents and communities of color, threatening the borough’s diversity.

“This is an equity issue,” said Borough President Levine. “We cannot allow our borough to become a place that only the ultra-wealthy can afford to live in, while working and middle-class families are being forced out.”

The application process for the new appointments included questions specifically focused on housing issues, highlighting their importance. A significant portion, 86.8%, of new appointees ranked housing as their top priority, with 81% emphasizing tackling housing affordability.

Diversity and inclusivity were also central to this year's appointments. Of the 111 new appointees:

- 65% identify as non-white

- 31% are parents or caregivers

- 11% identify as LGBTQ+

- 7.2% identify as disabled

- 6.3% reside in NYCHA housing

Since taking office in 2022, Borough President Levine has added questions regarding car ownership and housing to the application process. This year saw extensive outreach efforts aimed at individuals within the criminal justice-involved community, resulting in three appointees from this group.

The newly appointed members for the term from 2024 to 2026 are expected to play a key role in addressing Manhattan's pressing challenges alongside Borough President Levine.