"Illegal home conversions have been putting New Yorkers in harm's way for decades, especially in my district, where we have seen two major fires in converted apartments this past year alone," said Council Member Williams. "Our bill aims to comprehensively end this housing issue once and for all by introducing a number of penalties on bad-actor landlords and gives building inspectors more resources to do their jobs efficiently and effectively. This bill is not aimed at homeowners with basement apartments, but at those who egregiously slice and dice units with no regard to the safety of their tenants. I would like to thank the Borough President and Council Member Gentile for working with me to combat illegal conversions, and look forward to getting this legislation through the Council quickly."

"This legislation is the most significant, proactive effort to date to tackle the illegal conversion crisis, where the safety of Brooklynites in dangerous 'cubicle living' lies in the balance. For the first time, we would properly address the displacement problem that occurs when enforcement on these units occurs, helping to prevent homelessness for innocent families. I thank Council Members Gentile and Williams for joining me in introducing this important bill, and I look forward to working with the City Council on it in the months ahead," said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.  

"Illegal conversions are dangerous, especially to those most vulnerable, such as immigrants, many of whom are unaware that the places they call home are illegal because they are unsafe," said Council Member Gentile. "Illegally converted homes are often places of serious violations of New York City's fire code, overcrowding, faulty wiring, and structural unsoundness caused by illegal excavation and overbearing of weight. It's time we take a stand once and for all against the unscrupulous landlords, architects, and engineers who profit off of the harm they do to our constituents, to our neighborhoods, and to our housing market!"