Patrick Spauster
@patrickspauster.com
Covering housing and homelessness in NYC for @citylimitsnews.bsky.social. urban planner and NY Liberty diehard 🏀🗽
patrickspauster.com
patrickspauster.com
Pinned
Patrick Spauster
@patrickspauster.com
· Jun 2
Some personal news: I'm joining @citylimitsnews.bsky.social to cover housing and homelessness. Today is my first day! It's a publication I hold in great regard and a topic crucial to NYers. Hit me up with tips and all things housing, policy, and NYC [email protected]
Just Home is back.
At a presser this afternoon, Mamdani announced that the affordable housing project was going forward after the Adams administration had tried to stop it this fall.
83 homes for ppl leaving jail had hung in the balance in the mayors race.
At a presser this afternoon, Mamdani announced that the affordable housing project was going forward after the Adams administration had tried to stop it this fall.
83 homes for ppl leaving jail had hung in the balance in the mayors race.
January 19, 2026 at 8:56 PM
Just Home is back.
At a presser this afternoon, Mamdani announced that the affordable housing project was going forward after the Adams administration had tried to stop it this fall.
83 homes for ppl leaving jail had hung in the balance in the mayors race.
At a presser this afternoon, Mamdani announced that the affordable housing project was going forward after the Adams administration had tried to stop it this fall.
83 homes for ppl leaving jail had hung in the balance in the mayors race.
“I consider that to be a victory,” Mamdani says at a presser in the Bronx just now. He says that as a result of the city’s intervention in the Pinnacle case the new owner is committed to $30m in repairs.
(It’s unclear how firm that promise is and if the city can enforce it)
(It’s unclear how firm that promise is and if the city can enforce it)
The sale to Summit, which the admin oppossed, is a blow to Mamdani and tenants, but if a goal was to bring their future landlord to the negotiating table, they might find a silver lining.
citylimits.org/judge-approv...
citylimits.org/judge-approv...
January 19, 2026 at 8:48 PM
“I consider that to be a victory,” Mamdani says at a presser in the Bronx just now. He says that as a result of the city’s intervention in the Pinnacle case the new owner is committed to $30m in repairs.
(It’s unclear how firm that promise is and if the city can enforce it)
(It’s unclear how firm that promise is and if the city can enforce it)
The sale to Summit, which the admin oppossed, is a blow to Mamdani and tenants, but if a goal was to bring their future landlord to the negotiating table, they might find a silver lining.
citylimits.org/judge-approv...
citylimits.org/judge-approv...
January 16, 2026 at 7:19 PM
The sale to Summit, which the admin oppossed, is a blow to Mamdani and tenants, but if a goal was to bring their future landlord to the negotiating table, they might find a silver lining.
citylimits.org/judge-approv...
citylimits.org/judge-approv...
A bankruptcy judge approved the sale of 5k rent stabilized units from the troubled Pinnacle group this afternoon.
The Mamdani admin had objected to stop or delay the sale, saying the buyer, Summit did not have an adequate plan to fix thousands of code violations. Story TK
The Mamdani admin had objected to stop or delay the sale, saying the buyer, Summit did not have an adequate plan to fix thousands of code violations. Story TK
January 16, 2026 at 7:03 PM
A bankruptcy judge approved the sale of 5k rent stabilized units from the troubled Pinnacle group this afternoon.
The Mamdani admin had objected to stop or delay the sale, saying the buyer, Summit did not have an adequate plan to fix thousands of code violations. Story TK
The Mamdani admin had objected to stop or delay the sale, saying the buyer, Summit did not have an adequate plan to fix thousands of code violations. Story TK
I spoke with Sumathy Kumar, New York State's new top tenant advocate with @tenantbloc.bsky.social, a group upending the balance of power in housing.
5 questions on her alliance w/the Mamdani admin, defending rent stabilization in Albany, and what she brings to the role ⤵️
5 questions on her alliance w/the Mamdani admin, defending rent stabilization in Albany, and what she brings to the role ⤵️
January 16, 2026 at 3:35 PM
I spoke with Sumathy Kumar, New York State's new top tenant advocate with @tenantbloc.bsky.social, a group upending the balance of power in housing.
5 questions on her alliance w/the Mamdani admin, defending rent stabilization in Albany, and what she brings to the role ⤵️
5 questions on her alliance w/the Mamdani admin, defending rent stabilization in Albany, and what she brings to the role ⤵️
Some interesting results from Times readers asked about NYC urban projects. Homeruns like more parks, but the least popular are decking the Cross Bronx and fixing fifth avenue. They even asked if we should teach urban planning in schools!
January 10, 2026 at 10:08 PM
Some interesting results from Times readers asked about NYC urban projects. Homeruns like more parks, but the least popular are decking the Cross Bronx and fixing fifth avenue. They even asked if we should teach urban planning in schools!
NEW: Dan Garodnick told Mayor Mamdani that he will leave his role as head of the Department of City Planning "in the coming weeks," according to a staff email this morning
Garodnick led the "City of Yes" rezoning and five neighborhood rezonings in his tenure. Mamdani will appoint a new head planner
Garodnick led the "City of Yes" rezoning and five neighborhood rezonings in his tenure. Mamdani will appoint a new head planner
January 8, 2026 at 4:33 PM
NEW: Dan Garodnick told Mayor Mamdani that he will leave his role as head of the Department of City Planning "in the coming weeks," according to a staff email this morning
Garodnick led the "City of Yes" rezoning and five neighborhood rezonings in his tenure. Mamdani will appoint a new head planner
Garodnick led the "City of Yes" rezoning and five neighborhood rezonings in his tenure. Mamdani will appoint a new head planner
NYC urban planners: now is the time to get your "department of zoning" jokes off
The agency reassigned the central design division that used zoning tools to manage public spaces and craft neighborhood character, a move critics say will deprioritize livability as the city pledges to build more housing, @patrickspauster.com reports: citylimits.org/department-o...
Department Of City Planning Shutters Design Division - City Limits
Last month, the Department of City Planning reassigned the central design division that used zoning tools to manage public spaces and craft neighborhood character. Critics say the move will deprioriti...
citylimits.org
January 8, 2026 at 4:05 PM
NYC urban planners: now is the time to get your "department of zoning" jokes off
The NYC Department of City Planning is shuttering its urban design division right before a leadership transition.
Critics worry that by reassigning designers who consider the public realm will deprioritize livability as the city plans to build much more housing. buff.ly/GlB9MgY
Critics worry that by reassigning designers who consider the public realm will deprioritize livability as the city plans to build much more housing. buff.ly/GlB9MgY
January 8, 2026 at 4:02 PM
The NYC Department of City Planning is shuttering its urban design division right before a leadership transition.
Critics worry that by reassigning designers who consider the public realm will deprioritize livability as the city plans to build much more housing. buff.ly/GlB9MgY
Critics worry that by reassigning designers who consider the public realm will deprioritize livability as the city plans to build much more housing. buff.ly/GlB9MgY
With a slim majority of appointees on the board, Mamdani will need to find a member who represents owners and is willing vote for a freeze: not the easiest task! But he has more time to search than Adams, who had to make the appointments at the 11th hour.
Mayor Mamdani's promise to freeze rents for roughly 2 million New Yorkers survived a late-game challenge when a homeowner advocate on Friday night rejected ex-Mayor Adams' 11th hour offer for her to serve on the city's Rent Guidelines Board. www.nydailynews.com/2026/01/02/a...
Mamdani rent freeze hopes survive Adams’ late bid to block plan with Rent Guidelines Board picks
Mayor Mamdani’s promise to freeze rents for roughly 2 million New Yorkers survived a late-game challenge when a homeowner advocate rejected ex-Mayor Adams’ 11th hour offer for her to se…
www.nydailynews.com
January 3, 2026 at 12:49 AM
With a slim majority of appointees on the board, Mamdani will need to find a member who represents owners and is willing vote for a freeze: not the easiest task! But he has more time to search than Adams, who had to make the appointments at the 11th hour.
Reposted by Patrick Spauster
City and state officials are celebrating the opening today of New York's first hotel that's been converted to affordable housing. Learn more about the project, which reporter @patrickspauster.com toured this summer: citylimits.org/we-cracked-t...
'We Cracked The Code': First Hotel-to-Housing Conversion Using State Program To Open in Queens - City Limits
A pandemic-era program aimed to facilitate hotel and office to affordable housing conversions. After a slow start, and numerous financing and design challenges, its first project is opening in Queens.
citylimits.org
December 18, 2025 at 5:21 PM
City and state officials are celebrating the opening today of New York's first hotel that's been converted to affordable housing. Learn more about the project, which reporter @patrickspauster.com toured this summer: citylimits.org/we-cracked-t...
Fun COPA note: lawyers at firms who work with CLTs both penned opeds in @CityLimitsNews last week, with opposing viewpoints on the law.
“Forces parties into negotiations without protections for the owner” vs “common sense policy”
citylimits.org?post_types=&...
“Forces parties into negotiations without protections for the owner” vs “common sense policy”
citylimits.org?post_types=&...
December 17, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Fun COPA note: lawyers at firms who work with CLTs both penned opeds in @CityLimitsNews last week, with opposing viewpoints on the law.
“Forces parties into negotiations without protections for the owner” vs “common sense policy”
citylimits.org?post_types=&...
“Forces parties into negotiations without protections for the owner” vs “common sense policy”
citylimits.org?post_types=&...
Reposted by Patrick Spauster
A transgender former shelter resident is suing New York, saying the city failed to place her in a shelter for women or transgender people, putting her at risk of assault on multiple occasions. Advocates say she is not alone.
via @patrickspauster.com: citylimits.org/transgender-...
via @patrickspauster.com: citylimits.org/transgender-...
Transgender Resident Faced Discrimination, Assault In City Homeless Shelters: Lawsuit - City Limits
A transgender former shelter resident is suing New York, saying city shelters failed to place her in a shelter for women or transgender people, putting her at risk of assault on multiple occasions. Ad...
citylimits.org
December 16, 2025 at 1:46 PM
A transgender former shelter resident is suing New York, saying the city failed to place her in a shelter for women or transgender people, putting her at risk of assault on multiple occasions. Advocates say she is not alone.
via @patrickspauster.com: citylimits.org/transgender-...
via @patrickspauster.com: citylimits.org/transgender-...
Over a 2.5 year stay across 3 shelters, a transgender woman says the city repeatedly put her in rooms with men who assaulted her, according to a new civil rights suit.
Advocates say it's the tip of the iceberg in NYC's mostly gender-segregated system. @citylimitsnews.bsky.social
buff.ly/NXKA1zG
Advocates say it's the tip of the iceberg in NYC's mostly gender-segregated system. @citylimitsnews.bsky.social
buff.ly/NXKA1zG
December 15, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Over a 2.5 year stay across 3 shelters, a transgender woman says the city repeatedly put her in rooms with men who assaulted her, according to a new civil rights suit.
Advocates say it's the tip of the iceberg in NYC's mostly gender-segregated system. @citylimitsnews.bsky.social
buff.ly/NXKA1zG
Advocates say it's the tip of the iceberg in NYC's mostly gender-segregated system. @citylimitsnews.bsky.social
buff.ly/NXKA1zG
COPA, a bill that will let community land trusts have first dibs on bidding on distressed properties, is poised for a breakthrough with the city council, 5 yrs after it was first proposed. Now the city's housing agency is on board.
NYC follows SF and DC, which have similar laws.
buff.ly/s3ebXuV
NYC follows SF and DC, which have similar laws.
buff.ly/s3ebXuV
Social Housing Bill Poised for Breakthrough in City Council - City Limits
The Community Opportunity to Purchase Act (COPA) will give community land trusts and other community groups first dibs at buying distressed properties.
citylimits.org
December 1, 2025 at 8:20 PM
COPA, a bill that will let community land trusts have first dibs on bidding on distressed properties, is poised for a breakthrough with the city council, 5 yrs after it was first proposed. Now the city's housing agency is on board.
NYC follows SF and DC, which have similar laws.
buff.ly/s3ebXuV
NYC follows SF and DC, which have similar laws.
buff.ly/s3ebXuV
Reposted by Patrick Spauster
Dubbed “The Hole” because it sits below the other land that surrounds it, the neighborhood is slated for resiliency upgrades, a rezoning and more housing. Take a tour of the area being eyed for transformation, via @patrickspauster.com: citylimits.org/housing-in-t...
November 24, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Dubbed “The Hole” because it sits below the other land that surrounds it, the neighborhood is slated for resiliency upgrades, a rezoning and more housing. Take a tour of the area being eyed for transformation, via @patrickspauster.com: citylimits.org/housing-in-t...
This story reminded me why I love my beat: organized residents, dedicated public servants, and hope for something better.
The Hole is getting housing-5,000 units-under a city plan to install sewers in the infamous floodprone NYC nhood
@citylimitsnews.bsky.social got a walking tour buff.ly/9KCTjhr
The Hole is getting housing-5,000 units-under a city plan to install sewers in the infamous floodprone NYC nhood
@citylimitsnews.bsky.social got a walking tour buff.ly/9KCTjhr
November 24, 2025 at 6:54 PM
This story reminded me why I love my beat: organized residents, dedicated public servants, and hope for something better.
The Hole is getting housing-5,000 units-under a city plan to install sewers in the infamous floodprone NYC nhood
@citylimitsnews.bsky.social got a walking tour buff.ly/9KCTjhr
The Hole is getting housing-5,000 units-under a city plan to install sewers in the infamous floodprone NYC nhood
@citylimitsnews.bsky.social got a walking tour buff.ly/9KCTjhr
Reposted by Patrick Spauster
After the Pinnacle Group sent 93 of its buildings into a bankruptcy auction, tenants are calling on the city to responsibly steward their properties to a new owner. via @patrickspauster.com: citylimits.org/pinnacle-ten...
Pinnacle Tenants Demand City Intervene to Save Their Homes, And What Else Happened This Week in Housing - City Limits
After the Pinnacle Group sent 93 of its buildings into a bankruptcy auction, tenants are calling on the city to responsibly steward their properties to a new owner.
citylimits.org
November 21, 2025 at 7:19 PM
After the Pinnacle Group sent 93 of its buildings into a bankruptcy auction, tenants are calling on the city to responsibly steward their properties to a new owner. via @patrickspauster.com: citylimits.org/pinnacle-ten...
Reposted by Patrick Spauster
Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams is weighing new appointments to the Rent Guidelines Board in an effort to block Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s pledged rent freeze. But tenant groups say they won’t make it easy for him. citylimits.org/as-mayor-ada...
As Mayor Adams Looks to Stack Rent Board, Tenant Groups Press Potential Appointees to 'Refuse' - City Limits
Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams is weighing new appointments to the Rent Guidelines Board in an effort to block Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s pledged rent freeze. But finding candidates willing to take the p...
citylimits.org
November 20, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams is weighing new appointments to the Rent Guidelines Board in an effort to block Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s pledged rent freeze. But tenant groups say they won’t make it easy for him. citylimits.org/as-mayor-ada...
Who actually wants this job? It doesn't pay much and you get yelled at a lot.
As Mayor Adams considers appointments to the rent guidelines board to block a rent freeze, tenants are pledging to make any candidate's life hell.
w/@jeanmarieevelly.bsky.social
As Mayor Adams considers appointments to the rent guidelines board to block a rent freeze, tenants are pledging to make any candidate's life hell.
w/@jeanmarieevelly.bsky.social
As Mayor Adams Looks to Stack Rent Board, Tenant Groups Press Potential Appointees to ‘Refuse’
Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams is weighing new appointments to the Rent Guidelines Board in an effort to block Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s pledged rent freeze. But finding candidates willing to take the…
buff.ly
November 20, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Who actually wants this job? It doesn't pay much and you get yelled at a lot.
As Mayor Adams considers appointments to the rent guidelines board to block a rent freeze, tenants are pledging to make any candidate's life hell.
w/@jeanmarieevelly.bsky.social
As Mayor Adams considers appointments to the rent guidelines board to block a rent freeze, tenants are pledging to make any candidate's life hell.
w/@jeanmarieevelly.bsky.social
NYC neighborhoods that have been building the most affordable housing in the city voted overwhelmingly to make their neighbors build more w/ November's housing ballot measures.
Those neighbors... not as much.
Check out the data and maps in @citylimitsnews.bsky.social
buff.ly/hcapyFZ
Those neighbors... not as much.
Check out the data and maps in @citylimitsnews.bsky.social
buff.ly/hcapyFZ
November 18, 2025 at 5:10 PM
NYC neighborhoods that have been building the most affordable housing in the city voted overwhelmingly to make their neighbors build more w/ November's housing ballot measures.
Those neighbors... not as much.
Check out the data and maps in @citylimitsnews.bsky.social
buff.ly/hcapyFZ
Those neighbors... not as much.
Check out the data and maps in @citylimitsnews.bsky.social
buff.ly/hcapyFZ
October 2025
Tame Impala
Amaare
CAPICU
Kodak Black
Hana Vu
Bob Dylan
Spotify: buff.ly/uEdkmkB
Apple: buff.ly/MmuHjgr
Tame Impala
Amaare
CAPICU
Kodak Black
Hana Vu
Bob Dylan
Spotify: buff.ly/uEdkmkB
Apple: buff.ly/MmuHjgr
October 2025
Playlist · Patrick Spauster · 28 items
open.spotify.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:12 AM
October 2025
Tame Impala
Amaare
CAPICU
Kodak Black
Hana Vu
Bob Dylan
Spotify: buff.ly/uEdkmkB
Apple: buff.ly/MmuHjgr
Tame Impala
Amaare
CAPICU
Kodak Black
Hana Vu
Bob Dylan
Spotify: buff.ly/uEdkmkB
Apple: buff.ly/MmuHjgr
The race became about who belongs in New York—and who can afford to stay in it.
One last election week housing story from
@citylimitsnews.bsky.social + what you missed in housing this week while everything was happening
citylimits.org/the-election...
One last election week housing story from
@citylimitsnews.bsky.social + what you missed in housing this week while everything was happening
citylimits.org/the-election...
The Election's Number One Issue, and What Else Happened This Week in Housing - City Limits
The race became about who belongs in New York—and who can afford to stay in it.
citylimits.org
November 7, 2025 at 5:51 PM
The race became about who belongs in New York—and who can afford to stay in it.
One last election week housing story from
@citylimitsnews.bsky.social + what you missed in housing this week while everything was happening
citylimits.org/the-election...
One last election week housing story from
@citylimitsnews.bsky.social + what you missed in housing this week while everything was happening
citylimits.org/the-election...
Now that we have a mayor-elect Mamdani, might be helpful to dig in on what exactly is going on with the RGB + the rent freeze promise (and how Eric Adams could muck things up). Things could get weird!
If outgoing Mayor Eric Adams appoints new members to the Rent Guidelines Board, it could make it harder for frontrunner Zohran Mamdani to fulfill his "rent freeze" promise. Reporter @patrickspauster.com breaks down the possibilities (with a handy chart!) citylimits.org/can-eric-ada...
November 6, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Now that we have a mayor-elect Mamdani, might be helpful to dig in on what exactly is going on with the RGB + the rent freeze promise (and how Eric Adams could muck things up). Things could get weird!
Maria Torres-Springer will co-chair the Mamdani transition team. My July piece has several helpful nuggets about her governing philosophies that may shape the admin. She believes in partnerships, efficiency and "a maniacal focus on execution"
Read @citylimitsnews.bsky.social:
buff.ly/CTvvPHr
Read @citylimitsnews.bsky.social:
buff.ly/CTvvPHr
November 5, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Maria Torres-Springer will co-chair the Mamdani transition team. My July piece has several helpful nuggets about her governing philosophies that may shape the admin. She believes in partnerships, efficiency and "a maniacal focus on execution"
Read @citylimitsnews.bsky.social:
buff.ly/CTvvPHr
Read @citylimitsnews.bsky.social:
buff.ly/CTvvPHr