White Plains, N.Y., Mun. Code ch. 9-7 § 9-7-1
Statement of policy
Operative Text
The City of White Plains finds that having housing that is affordable to a range of income groups is necessary in order to ensure the continued social and economic diversity of its population, which is one of its defining characteristics. The City finds that Fair Market Rents are unaffordable to low and moderate income households, and that there is a shortage of affordable housing due to the high cost of existing housing, land, and construction in the region. In the interest of reducing the number of cost-burdened households (those spending more than 30% of gross income on housing costs), the City has established a policy requiring that Affordable Rental Housing be a component of the development of multi-family or mixed-use residential rental developments greater than ten (10) dwelling units, including the conversion of existing non-residential buildings to residential, or substantial renovation of vacant residential structures.
White Plains Mun. Code ch. 9-7 § 9-7-1 establishes the city's foundational policy rationale for requiring affordable rental housing in larger residential developments. The provision recognizes that Fair Market Rents exceed what low- and moderate-income households can afford, and that a regional shortage of affordable housing threatens the city's socioeconomic diversity. As a result, the city has committed to a policy that makes affordable rental units a required component of new multi-family or mixed-use rental developments with more than ten dwelling units, as well as qualifying conversions and substantial renovations.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under White Plains Mun. Code ch. 9-7 § 9-7-1, operators developing, converting, or substantially renovating multi-family or mixed-use residential rental properties with more than ten dwelling units are subject to the city's affordable housing inclusion policy. Compliant developers generally account for the affordable rental housing requirement at the earliest stages of project planning, ensuring that the required affordable units are integrated into the overall development design. Familiarity with this policy statement helps property owners understand the broader framework that subsequent sections of Chapter 9-7 implement in more specific terms.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
White Plains Mun. Code ch. 9-7 § 9-7-1 reflects the city's formal recognition that affordable housing access is a matter of public policy, particularly for low- and moderate-income households who may be cost-burdened by prevailing market rents. Tenants seeking affordable units in newer or converted residential buildings in White Plains may find that this policy framework underlies the availability of income-restricted units in those developments. Tenant-rights organizations and the city's housing office can be resources for understanding how this policy translates into specific rights or available units under the broader Chapter 9-7 framework.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 1, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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