Maloney, a Brooklyn homeowner, seeks to rent her basement but must wait for a city pilot program to legalize basement apartments. After an electrical fire in 2022, she plans upgrades before proceeding. Although the law took effect on June 16, rules are not finalized, preventing applications. This five-year program aims to make basement apartments safe, addressing flooding and fire risks. Advocates see it as crucial for improving informal living arrangements. The program is authorized only until April 20, stressing the need for timely city agency action.
"I'm waiting for the program to come into fruition because I can't put anyone there until I'm authorized to do so," Maloney said. "I have to wait for them to start the process and bring in the correct people to ensure it's approved."
Though the law regulating basement apartments went into effect June 16, city agencies have not finalized related rules. There is no way for interested homeowners to apply to the pilot program, and an online portal the Adams administration announced nearly a year ago has not yet materialized.
Attrition of basement apartments leads to unsafe living conditions. Advocates for tenants and homeowners hailed the pilot program as a significant step to bring informal but often affordable living spaces out of the shadows.
The pilot program is only authorized until April 20, highlighting the urgency for city agencies to act quickly to finalize different aspects related to the legalization of basement apartments.
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