New Yorkers face significant risks in basement and cellar apartments, many of which are illegal, especially highlighted by tragedies during Hurricane Ida. The city is grappling with a housing crisis, making the prohibition of underground dwellings potentially harmful. Proposed regulations aim to keep residents safe while easing homeowners' compliance burdens. Safety measures for 'ancillary dwelling units' include restrictions on locations prone to flooding, alongside requirements for dual exits and sprinkler systems in cellar dwellings. The approach seeks to balance safety and housing supply.
Tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of New Yorkers live in basement and cellar apartments, according to research by universities and nonprofits.
The city is in the grips of a housing crisis, and outlawing underground dwellings might only exacerbate the problem.
If approved, the rules for what the city calls 'ancillary dwelling units' would introduce an array of safety regulations.
Under the proposed rules, any cellar unit would have to be equipped with two exits and an automatic sprinkler system.
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