Unused NYC Hotels Can Be Converted To Apartments Under New Law

NEW YORK CITY — Vacant hotel rooms soon could be New York City's next affordable apartments.

Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a bill Tuesday that will make it easier for city officials to convert hotels into residential space.

The law will also help unlock $200 million to help city officials actually fund the transitions from empty hotel to permanent home.

"No longer will these rooms sit vacant, mocking as people sleep on the street in front of them, or struggle to find a home," she said.

Mayor Eric Adams advocated for the bill as the city faces perpetual problems with the availability of affordable housing

He said the law will "dramatically change the lives of a countless number of New Yorkers."

"Today, we're saying 'yes' to more housing," he said.

Hochul emphasized that the bill is not designed to undercut the city's hotel industry, which is an important business sector.

But she also pointed to what she called a "large number" of failing hotels in neighborhoods.

"They pay people low wages, they're run down and sometimes they present a safety risk," she said. "These hotels need to be reimagined."

Adams, for his part, called the hotel market "over-saturated" and argued many could be converted to housing.