City Council:
A LOCAL LAW AUTHORIZING THE AMENDMENT
OF CHAPTER 267 (ZONING) OF THE CODE OF
THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON TO ESTABLISH AN
AFFORDABLE HOUSING SET ASIDE PROGRAM
BE IT ENACTED by the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon, in the County of Westchester, State of New York, as follows:
Section 1. Title. This Local Law shall be known and may be cited as:
"A Local Law Amending the Mount Vernon City Code to Establish an Affordable Housing Set Aside Program."
Section 2. Legislative Findings and Purpose.
WHEREAS, there is a national shortage of affordable housing, with over 50,000 units in Westchester alone; and
WHEREAS, the City of Mount Vernon is committed to diverse housing opportunities; and
WHEREAS, the County has provided a model ordinance to help municipalities provide housing in cooperation with local developers; and
WHEREAS the City Council received a referral letter dated January 22, 20226 from the Office of the Mayor and a supplemental letter dated January 26, 2026 from the Department of Planning and Community Development requesting legislation requiring future market-rate residential developments set aside no less than ten percent (10%) of total dwelling units for multi-family developments with ten or more (10+) units as affordable housing; and
WHEREAS, the proposed local law would provide for the construction of rental housing units that will be capped between 80% and 130% of AMI the Westchester County area median income on a project-by-project basis; and
WHEREAS, a goal of the proposed local law would be to promote economic diversity and long-term community stability through the development of affordable housing units throughout the City; and
WHEREAS, the stated goals of the ordinance are aligned with recommendations in Mount Vernon's Comprehensive Plan regarding housing access for all, neighborhood diversity, and inclusi...
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