The New York City Council has proposed a proposal to use small lots in residential areas to alleviate the city's housing crisis. The proposal includes reforming outdated building rules and creating modest, mid-rise housing on these lots, using them as hidden-in-plain-sight opportunities to create housing, strengthen neighborhoods, and revitalize blocks. The Council identified 2,850 small lots across every borough and could unlock up to 35,000 new homes, including thousands of affordable units, without lengthy rezonings. This approach is also about fairness and flexibility, and can help alleviate pressure on rents and create more options for New Yorkers at a range of income levels. The council has also convened a new Advisory Group on Housing Affordability to discuss these ideas.