New York City will pay 15 homeowners up to $395,000 to build an extra dwelling in their garage or basement to help ease the housing shortage, pe rNYT.
Homeowners interested in participating in the Plus One ADU program can submit their applications online. To qualify, their homes must meet specific eligibility criteria, including being detached single-family residences, located in areas permitting two-unit construction, passing inspection without building code or safety violations, and being up-to-date on mortgage and property taxes.
The program imposes additional qualifications on property owners, such as the requirement that the proposed property is owner-occupied. There is also an income limit, with a threshold of $186,450 for a two-person household, and preference given to households earning less than $113,000. Additionally, the rent for the new unit will be capped at $2,600 per month, reflecting the affordability challenges in New York City.
Notably, even with this rent cap, the renter would need an income of nearly $7,000 per month to afford the apartment. The application process includes a $200 fee, and interested property owners must submit their applications by February 13.
Property owners retain the flexibility to choose the most logistically suitable type of unit. This may involve converting a basement or detached garage in some cases, while in others, constructing an ADU on the property may be the preferred option. Regardless of the chosen form of construction, compliance with all relevant housing safety requirements is mandatory.
