File source :

The 2025 New York City Charter Revision Commission (CRC) has released a sweeping preliminary staff report that lays the groundwork for transformative changes to how the city governs housing, elections, nonprofit contracts, climate resiliency, and infrastructure.

The report follows months of intensive public engagement, including over 16 hours of testimony and nearly 1,000 written submissions from New Yorkers across the five boroughs.

“This preliminary staff report is an ambitious document that presents proposals to ensure that New York City remains an engine of opportunity,” said CRC Chair Richard Buery, Jr., emphasizing reforms aimed at addressing housing inequity and improving government responsiveness.

Key recommendations include reforms to the city’s land use system to boost affordable housing production, proposals for open primaries and shifting elections to even-numbered years to increase voter turnout, and changes to procurement policies to speed up payments to nonprofits.

On climate resilience, the report highlights the need to modernize the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) and accelerate infrastructure projects such as flood mitigation and electric vehicle charging networks. It also calls for a modernization of the City Map — currently spread across 8,000 paper maps — to streamline infrastructure planning.

“The testimony we’ve received tells a story of a city facing urgent crises — in housing, democracy, climate, and delivery of services,” said Alec Schierenbeck, CRC Executive Director. “This report aims to chart a path forward.”

The CRC has announced five upcoming public hearings across all boroughs beginning in May to gather further input before finalizing proposals for a potential ballot referendum.