A rendering of Bronx Point

You may have seen a story in last week’s Wall Street Journal announcing an agreement between L+M and  Laborers’ Local 79. The agreement will set an important precedent for the future of progressive affordable housing development, union job creation and local hiring in New York City. Local hiring has long been an area of focus for L+M, and we will continue that approach alongside Local 79.

Local 79 stood out to me because of its commitment to diversity and local hiring. More than 65 percent of its members are people of color, and more than 70 percent of current members live in the five boroughs.  I appreciated that Local 79 valued social responsibility, which has been a driving force in creating this agreement.

Together, we’ve crafted an agreement around local hiring, primarily in communities of color, in NYCHA communities, and with a formerly incarcerated hiring requirement. The agreement will initially cover the construction and substantial rehabilitation of over 3,000 apartments in developments that are 100% affordable housing in neighborhoods such as Harlem, East Harlem, East New York and the South Bronx. We think it can have a real impact in these communities that have been hit hard by the pandemic while also helping drive recovery and growth.

Long-term, this agreement has the potential to create more opportunities for the industry, good local jobs, and more affordable housing for New Yorkers. I am hopeful that it will also provide a model for the broader industry: if builders and labor can be allies in the push to build affordable housing, it can and will really benefit the City.