NYC Council Proposed 5,000 New Staten Island Apartments
A new development plan could increase residential capacity on Staten Island’s North Shore to address tight housing supply.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Apartments
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The New York City Council released a development plan targeting Staten Island’s North Shore, where officials aim to construct more than 5,000 new apartments. The proposal specifically focuses on the neighborhoods of Tompkinsville, Stapleton, and St. George.
Why it matters
This plan seeks to alleviate a citywide housing crisis by rezoning land currently restricted to commercial or manufacturing use. By increasing density, the city hopes to accommodate growth and improve housing access in an area that has seen a sharp decline in available rental units.
The apartment vacancy rate in the North Shore dropped to 4.4% in 2024, down from 8.4% in 2019. The plan proposes new buildings up to 14 stories tall to support the addition of 5,000 units across the 21,000-resident area.
The players
New York City Council
The local legislative body responsible for land-use policy, zoning, and approving large-scale housing developments.
The details
The development plan calls for rezoning industrial and commercial sites near Front and Bay streets and the intersection of Bay Street and Victory Boulevard. These changes would allow for taller, denser residential buildings in areas previously restricted from housing construction. City planners are using New Jersey waterfront developments, such as the growth seen in Hoboken, as a model to increase density.
Timeline
2006: Previous rezoning of the area occurred.
2008: Previous rezoning of the area occurred.
2019: The local apartment vacancy rate was 8.4%.
2024: The local apartment vacancy rate fell to 4.4%.
September 19, 2026: The City Council released the North Shore NYC development plan.
Money Landscape
This proposal marks a continuation of the density strategy established by the 2006 and 2008 North Shore rezonings. It follows a multi-year trend of declining vacancy rates, signaling an ongoing attempt to manage the balance between current housing supply and population demand.
Residents should monitor public hearings to understand how proposed density changes could influence local rental availability and long-term property values. Homeowners and renters should consult with a qualified professional to discuss how potential neighborhood zoning shifts might impact their specific financial or housing strategy.
The takeaway
The proposed influx of 5,000 units reflects an effort to address the tightening rental market on Staten Island. Readers should track upcoming City Council hearings regarding the zoning of industrial land in their specific neighborhood.
Further reading
For broader trends on housing availability in the region, see Apartments.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Gothamist.
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