Skip to Main Content
New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

An outline of the SoHo and NoHo neighborhoods drawn in light purple on top of a turquoise background, with various buildings outlined in black and some colored purple.

Village advocates side with city, challenge NYU rezoning lawsuit

In a motion, many neighborhood organizations supported a provision banning university uses in rezoned parts of SoHo and NoHo and asked the court to order an environmental review of NYU expansion plans in the area if the university is successful in court.
Carmo Moniz, News Editor January 27, 2023

A consortium of Greenwich Village neighborhood advocacy organizations have filed a motion to intervene in a lawsuit that was previously filed by NYU against New York City. The...

The webpage of the Housing Solutions Lab with a video of the launch event attended by the founders.

NYU Furman Center lays foundations for affordable housing

The Furman Center’s Housing Solutions Lab announced its second Peer Cities cohort, which aims to improve the affordability and equality of housing in small to mid-sized cities.
Tori Morales, Staff Writer April 20, 2022

The Housing Solutions Lab at NYU's Furman Center, an institute for public policy research, announced its second Peer Cities Network cohort on March 24. The cohort, which officially...

Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks at a podium during a press conference. She stands in front of an American flag and a royal blue background. She is wearing a black blazer with a pale blue collared shirt.

Opinion: Struggling New Yorkers need Good Cause Eviction legislation

The state eviction moratorium expired in February, leaving thousands of New Yorkers — Black renters in particular — vulnerable to homelessness. A proposed Good Cause Eviction bill would limit rent hikes and reduce evictions.
Asha Ramachandran, Deputy Managing Editor March 7, 2022

As New York rent prices increase to their highest levels in decades, Gov. Kathy Hochul has left tenants out to dry. The eviction moratorium that allowed hundreds of thousands of...

A plan calling for an artificial 1,760-acre expansion of Manhattan below the Financial District has gained undeserved popularity. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

Opinion: NYC needs more affordable housing, not more land

A plan to solve the city’s housing crisis by extending the island of Manhattan southward gained popularity after a recent New York Times op-ed. Instead of investing millions of dollars into this project, the city needs to focus on fixing its existing affordable-housing system.
Srishti Bungle, Deputy Opinion Editor January 26, 2022

A plan to artificially extend the island of Manhattan went viral last week. The plan, originally proposed by Rutgers professor Jason Barr, calls for a 1,760-acre expansion...

SoHo and NoHo are notorious for their exorbitant rent and upper-crust reputation. Mayor de Blasio's upzoning plan will create tens of thousands of affordable housing units in these neighborhoods. (Photo by Aleksandra Pankratova)

Opinion: De Blasio’s upzoning plan will foster housing affordability

Contrary to some unfounded criticisms, Mayor Bill de Blasio’s zoning proposal will, in fact, help mitigate the city’s housing crisis in NoHo and SoHo.
Michael Galati, Contributing Writer November 24, 2021

In October 2020, Bill de Blasio’s administration proposed an upzoning of the SoHo/NoHo neighborhood that would add 3,200 housing units over 10 years. Village Preservation, a...

The privatization of housing has become a priority to the NYCHA. This leaves residences dealing with problems such as asbestos and mold. (Photo by Alexandria Johnson)

Opinion: NYCHA’s privatization plans must be put on hold

Ongoing class-action lawsuits filed by tenants of Queensbridge Houses underscore the hazardous living conditions and lack of transparency that characterize the New York City Housing Authority’s transition to private management through the Rental Assistance Demonstration program. Until residents are given a seat at the table, RAD must be put on hold.
Michelle Han, Deputy Opinion Editor September 17, 2021

Asbestos, lead, mold, severe leaking, flooding and vermin infestations: These are just a few of the concerns cited by Queensbridge Houses residents in the ongoing pair of class-action...

NYU continues construction on 181 Mercer Street in SoHo gentrifying the area. Mayor DeBlasio’s plan for affordable housing in the area does not serve the public interest of the surrounding area. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Opinion: De Blasio’s rezoning plan is gentrification in the making

Mayor Bill de Blasio pledged to increase access to affordable housing for SoHo, NoHo and Chinatown residents with a controversial upzoning plan. The plan, however, will likely instead increase gentrification in NYU’s backyard and reduce net affordable housing. The City Planning Commision should reject it outright.
Asha Ramachandran, Opinion Editor September 1, 2021

Last year, Mayor Bill de Blasio’s office introduced a rezoning plan targeting much of SoHo, NoHo and parts of Chinatown. The city has emphasized the plan’s potential to create...

NYCHA, Buy Up Vacant Apartments

NYCHA, Buy Up Vacant Apartments

In order to deal with the housing affordability crisis, NYCHA should purchase the 250,000 vacant apartments in the city and convert them into affordable housing units.
Kevin Kurian, Staff Writer March 3, 2020

New York City’s housing crisis is a bizarre paradox. Currently, hundreds of thousands of residents grapple with cost barriers while trying to find affordable apartments through...

Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer held a public hearing last Monday night to discuss the best way to religious buildings to share spaces for non-profit organizations. (Photo by Alexandria Johnson)

Religious Congregations, Nonprofits Voice Struggles to Afford Space in New York City

Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer hosted a city hall meeting as part of her ongoing efforts to help religious congregations that cannot afford meeting space in the extremely expensive area.
Alexandria Johnson, Deputy News Editor December 3, 2019

Last week, what started as a City Hall meeting addressing building repurposing in New York City turned into a forum for nonprofits and religious leaders on the inaccessibility...

NYU commuters are moving into residence halls for the spring semester to save themselves time and stress.

A Senior Citizen As Your New Roommate

Sierra Jackson, Contributing Writer October 16, 2016
As part of its plan to make NYU more affordable, the Affordability Steering Committee plans to match students with senior citizens who have a spare bedroom by the fall of 2017.
Millennial Homeownership is More Dream Than Reality

Millennial Homeownership is More Dream Than Reality

Richard Shu, Opinion Editor April 27, 2016
A spectre is haunting America — the spectre of renting.
Affordable Housing Battles in the Backyard

Affordable Housing Battles in the Backyard

Aaron Reuben, Contributing Writer April 25, 2016
Failing to create a pathway for legal ADUs will force the number of illegal, and often unsafe units to rise.