Opinion: We can’t abandon working-class New Yorkers and LGBT seniors in an affordability crisis

New York’s affordability crisis has gotten worse, with over 200,000 seniors on waiting lists for affordable housing. In 2019, after years of community input, New York City finished approving the construction of a new building for 123 affordable apartments for low-income, homeless and LGBTQ seniors on city-owned land on Elizabeth and Mott Streets. It was called Haven Green. Construction was about to begin. In addition to providing affordable housing for some of the most vulnerable New Yorkers, the completed project would also have included 16,000 square feet of public green space. 

Those opposed to this much needed affordable housing have misrepresented the facts for years. Since 1991, this lot had been rented from the city for $4,000 a month by Allan Reiver, owner of the Elizabeth Street Gallery, to store his sculptures. After the city decided to designate the land for affordable housing in 2012, Reiver opened the gate with volunteers in 2016 and invited the public to his new “Elizabeth Street Garden.” 

Soon, opponents of Haven Green began filing lawsuits against the project, arguing that the city was eliminating a beloved community garden. But those crying out for green space could have easily walked a few blocks away to DeSalvio Playground on Spring and Mulberry or Sara D. Roosevelt Park on Chrystie Street or Rapkin-Gayle Plaza on Grand Street, while Haven Green was being built. Except for some people filing frivolous lawsuits and saying this was more important than housing for the homeless, some seniors could have moved in by 2022. 

The city had won every single frivolous lawsuit in 2024 and was ready to move ahead with Haven Green in 2025. We would have changed the lives of hundreds of vulnerable New Yorkers.

When Zohran Mamdani ran for mayor, he pledged to support Haven Green, but on Nov. 6, 2025 – two days after he was elected mayor but before he took office – Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro illegally cancelled the Haven Green project and designated the Elizabeth Street lot as parkland. In August, Mamdani announced the city would give up on the Haven Green development because it was too difficult to reverse Mastro’s designation of the lot as parkland.

But Mamdani cannot afford to turn his back on his own promises, and the city has strong legal standing to continue pursuing affordable housing at Haven Green. The state Legislature could also pass a bill to approve the parkland being returned to the city government for housing development. There is recent precedent for this. Last year, Albany voted to turn over part of Flushing Meadows Corona Park to be developed into a casino. A bill was proposed in both houses in March and April 2025 and signed by the governor in June 2025. Among those who voted to approve this transfer were Assembly Members Grace Lee and Deborah Glick and state Sen. Brian Kavanagh.

As New Yorkers struggle to afford a roof over their head, we cannot abandon our fight for those who are low-income, homeless, and LGBTQ seniors. There are still pathways to affordable housing at Haven Green. We just need political courage.