CM Banks Q&A: Mangin on 2014 article advocating housing of all types
Banks questions whether Mangin still stands by his article arguing housing advocates should embrace development of all types. Mangin confirms he still believes housing shortages drive a range of problems and that building more of all types is necessary.
Thank you, Chair, and good to see you again, Mr.
Madgen.
Good to see you.
Thank you for coming to my district yesterday and having a meaningful conversation.
Mr.
Madgen, first of all, I would like to begin with some of your past writings, because I believe they provide important insight into your views on housing and land use matters.
You know, as the council considers your nomination, I want to better understand who the real John Madgen is
and what philosophy, perspective, and judgment you would bring to the Board of Standards and Appeals should you be confirmed.
You know, in 2014, writing by you titled The New Exclusionary Zoning, you argued that the housing advocacy community should move away from
what you described as, quote, reflectivity anti-development sentiments.
And embrace increased housing development, quote, of all types.
Do you still stand by that position today?
And looking back, how has your thinking evolved regarding the relationship
between new development, affordability, and displacement.
Thank you for the question, Councilmember.
As I mentioned in my opening statement, first off, I should say that absolutely we need to address the housing shortage.
We need to build more housing of all types in order to address those range of policy problems that
you know, people in neighborhoods like yours experience, whether it's high housing costs, gentrification and displacement pressure, you know, homelessness, overcrowding, segregation, you know, a housing market where tenants have no power.
All of those things emerge from the housing shortage.
So I absolutely still believe that we need to build housing of all types in order to address that range of problems for real New Yorkers.