Patrick Spauster
@patrickspauster.com
Covering housing and homelessness in NYC for @citylimitsnews.bsky.social. urban planner and NY Liberty diehard 🏀🗽
patrickspauster.com
patrickspauster.com
Pinned
Patrick Spauster
@patrickspauster.com
· Jun 2
Some personal news: I'm joining @citylimitsnews.bsky.social to cover housing and homelessness. Today is my first day! It's a publication I hold in great regard and a topic crucial to NYers. Hit me up with tips and all things housing, policy, and NYC patrick@citylimits.org
Reposted by Patrick Spauster
City and state officials are celebrating the opening today of New York's first hotel that's been converted to affordable housing. Learn more about the project, which reporter @patrickspauster.com toured this summer: citylimits.org/we-cracked-t...
'We Cracked The Code': First Hotel-to-Housing Conversion Using State Program To Open in Queens - City Limits
A pandemic-era program aimed to facilitate hotel and office to affordable housing conversions. After a slow start, and numerous financing and design challenges, its first project is opening in Queens.
citylimits.org
December 18, 2025 at 5:21 PM
City and state officials are celebrating the opening today of New York's first hotel that's been converted to affordable housing. Learn more about the project, which reporter @patrickspauster.com toured this summer: citylimits.org/we-cracked-t...
Fun COPA note: lawyers at firms who work with CLTs both penned opeds in @CityLimitsNews last week, with opposing viewpoints on the law.
“Forces parties into negotiations without protections for the owner” vs “common sense policy”
citylimits.org?post_types=&...
“Forces parties into negotiations without protections for the owner” vs “common sense policy”
citylimits.org?post_types=&...
December 17, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Fun COPA note: lawyers at firms who work with CLTs both penned opeds in @CityLimitsNews last week, with opposing viewpoints on the law.
“Forces parties into negotiations without protections for the owner” vs “common sense policy”
citylimits.org?post_types=&...
“Forces parties into negotiations without protections for the owner” vs “common sense policy”
citylimits.org?post_types=&...
Reposted by Patrick Spauster
A transgender former shelter resident is suing New York, saying the city failed to place her in a shelter for women or transgender people, putting her at risk of assault on multiple occasions. Advocates say she is not alone.
via @patrickspauster.com: citylimits.org/transgender-...
via @patrickspauster.com: citylimits.org/transgender-...
Transgender Resident Faced Discrimination, Assault In City Homeless Shelters: Lawsuit - City Limits
A transgender former shelter resident is suing New York, saying city shelters failed to place her in a shelter for women or transgender people, putting her at risk of assault on multiple occasions. Ad...
citylimits.org
December 16, 2025 at 1:46 PM
A transgender former shelter resident is suing New York, saying the city failed to place her in a shelter for women or transgender people, putting her at risk of assault on multiple occasions. Advocates say she is not alone.
via @patrickspauster.com: citylimits.org/transgender-...
via @patrickspauster.com: citylimits.org/transgender-...
Over a 2.5 year stay across 3 shelters, a transgender woman says the city repeatedly put her in rooms with men who assaulted her, according to a new civil rights suit.
Advocates say it's the tip of the iceberg in NYC's mostly gender-segregated system. @citylimitsnews.bsky.social
buff.ly/NXKA1zG
Advocates say it's the tip of the iceberg in NYC's mostly gender-segregated system. @citylimitsnews.bsky.social
buff.ly/NXKA1zG
December 15, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Over a 2.5 year stay across 3 shelters, a transgender woman says the city repeatedly put her in rooms with men who assaulted her, according to a new civil rights suit.
Advocates say it's the tip of the iceberg in NYC's mostly gender-segregated system. @citylimitsnews.bsky.social
buff.ly/NXKA1zG
Advocates say it's the tip of the iceberg in NYC's mostly gender-segregated system. @citylimitsnews.bsky.social
buff.ly/NXKA1zG
COPA, a bill that will let community land trusts have first dibs on bidding on distressed properties, is poised for a breakthrough with the city council, 5 yrs after it was first proposed. Now the city's housing agency is on board.
NYC follows SF and DC, which have similar laws.
buff.ly/s3ebXuV
NYC follows SF and DC, which have similar laws.
buff.ly/s3ebXuV
Social Housing Bill Poised for Breakthrough in City Council - City Limits
The Community Opportunity to Purchase Act (COPA) will give community land trusts and other community groups first dibs at buying distressed properties.
citylimits.org
December 1, 2025 at 8:20 PM
COPA, a bill that will let community land trusts have first dibs on bidding on distressed properties, is poised for a breakthrough with the city council, 5 yrs after it was first proposed. Now the city's housing agency is on board.
NYC follows SF and DC, which have similar laws.
buff.ly/s3ebXuV
NYC follows SF and DC, which have similar laws.
buff.ly/s3ebXuV
Reposted by Patrick Spauster
Dubbed “The Hole” because it sits below the other land that surrounds it, the neighborhood is slated for resiliency upgrades, a rezoning and more housing. Take a tour of the area being eyed for transformation, via @patrickspauster.com: citylimits.org/housing-in-t...
November 24, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Dubbed “The Hole” because it sits below the other land that surrounds it, the neighborhood is slated for resiliency upgrades, a rezoning and more housing. Take a tour of the area being eyed for transformation, via @patrickspauster.com: citylimits.org/housing-in-t...
This story reminded me why I love my beat: organized residents, dedicated public servants, and hope for something better.
The Hole is getting housing-5,000 units-under a city plan to install sewers in the infamous floodprone NYC nhood
@citylimitsnews.bsky.social got a walking tour buff.ly/9KCTjhr
The Hole is getting housing-5,000 units-under a city plan to install sewers in the infamous floodprone NYC nhood
@citylimitsnews.bsky.social got a walking tour buff.ly/9KCTjhr
November 24, 2025 at 6:54 PM
This story reminded me why I love my beat: organized residents, dedicated public servants, and hope for something better.
The Hole is getting housing-5,000 units-under a city plan to install sewers in the infamous floodprone NYC nhood
@citylimitsnews.bsky.social got a walking tour buff.ly/9KCTjhr
The Hole is getting housing-5,000 units-under a city plan to install sewers in the infamous floodprone NYC nhood
@citylimitsnews.bsky.social got a walking tour buff.ly/9KCTjhr
Reposted by Patrick Spauster
After the Pinnacle Group sent 93 of its buildings into a bankruptcy auction, tenants are calling on the city to responsibly steward their properties to a new owner. via @patrickspauster.com: citylimits.org/pinnacle-ten...
Pinnacle Tenants Demand City Intervene to Save Their Homes, And What Else Happened This Week in Housing - City Limits
After the Pinnacle Group sent 93 of its buildings into a bankruptcy auction, tenants are calling on the city to responsibly steward their properties to a new owner.
citylimits.org
November 21, 2025 at 7:19 PM
After the Pinnacle Group sent 93 of its buildings into a bankruptcy auction, tenants are calling on the city to responsibly steward their properties to a new owner. via @patrickspauster.com: citylimits.org/pinnacle-ten...
Reposted by Patrick Spauster
Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams is weighing new appointments to the Rent Guidelines Board in an effort to block Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s pledged rent freeze. But tenant groups say they won’t make it easy for him. citylimits.org/as-mayor-ada...
As Mayor Adams Looks to Stack Rent Board, Tenant Groups Press Potential Appointees to 'Refuse' - City Limits
Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams is weighing new appointments to the Rent Guidelines Board in an effort to block Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s pledged rent freeze. But finding candidates willing to take the p...
citylimits.org
November 20, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams is weighing new appointments to the Rent Guidelines Board in an effort to block Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s pledged rent freeze. But tenant groups say they won’t make it easy for him. citylimits.org/as-mayor-ada...
Who actually wants this job? It doesn't pay much and you get yelled at a lot.
As Mayor Adams considers appointments to the rent guidelines board to block a rent freeze, tenants are pledging to make any candidate's life hell.
w/@jeanmarieevelly.bsky.social
As Mayor Adams considers appointments to the rent guidelines board to block a rent freeze, tenants are pledging to make any candidate's life hell.
w/@jeanmarieevelly.bsky.social
As Mayor Adams Looks to Stack Rent Board, Tenant Groups Press Potential Appointees to ‘Refuse’
Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams is weighing new appointments to the Rent Guidelines Board in an effort to block Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s pledged rent freeze. But finding candidates willing to take the…
buff.ly
November 20, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Who actually wants this job? It doesn't pay much and you get yelled at a lot.
As Mayor Adams considers appointments to the rent guidelines board to block a rent freeze, tenants are pledging to make any candidate's life hell.
w/@jeanmarieevelly.bsky.social
As Mayor Adams considers appointments to the rent guidelines board to block a rent freeze, tenants are pledging to make any candidate's life hell.
w/@jeanmarieevelly.bsky.social
NYC neighborhoods that have been building the most affordable housing in the city voted overwhelmingly to make their neighbors build more w/ November's housing ballot measures.
Those neighbors... not as much.
Check out the data and maps in @citylimitsnews.bsky.social
buff.ly/hcapyFZ
Those neighbors... not as much.
Check out the data and maps in @citylimitsnews.bsky.social
buff.ly/hcapyFZ
November 18, 2025 at 5:10 PM
NYC neighborhoods that have been building the most affordable housing in the city voted overwhelmingly to make their neighbors build more w/ November's housing ballot measures.
Those neighbors... not as much.
Check out the data and maps in @citylimitsnews.bsky.social
buff.ly/hcapyFZ
Those neighbors... not as much.
Check out the data and maps in @citylimitsnews.bsky.social
buff.ly/hcapyFZ
October 2025
Tame Impala
Amaare
CAPICU
Kodak Black
Hana Vu
Bob Dylan
Spotify: buff.ly/uEdkmkB
Apple: buff.ly/MmuHjgr
Tame Impala
Amaare
CAPICU
Kodak Black
Hana Vu
Bob Dylan
Spotify: buff.ly/uEdkmkB
Apple: buff.ly/MmuHjgr
October 2025
Playlist · Patrick Spauster · 28 items
open.spotify.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:12 AM
October 2025
Tame Impala
Amaare
CAPICU
Kodak Black
Hana Vu
Bob Dylan
Spotify: buff.ly/uEdkmkB
Apple: buff.ly/MmuHjgr
Tame Impala
Amaare
CAPICU
Kodak Black
Hana Vu
Bob Dylan
Spotify: buff.ly/uEdkmkB
Apple: buff.ly/MmuHjgr
The race became about who belongs in New York—and who can afford to stay in it.
One last election week housing story from
@citylimitsnews.bsky.social + what you missed in housing this week while everything was happening
citylimits.org/the-election...
One last election week housing story from
@citylimitsnews.bsky.social + what you missed in housing this week while everything was happening
citylimits.org/the-election...
The Election's Number One Issue, and What Else Happened This Week in Housing - City Limits
The race became about who belongs in New York—and who can afford to stay in it.
citylimits.org
November 7, 2025 at 5:51 PM
The race became about who belongs in New York—and who can afford to stay in it.
One last election week housing story from
@citylimitsnews.bsky.social + what you missed in housing this week while everything was happening
citylimits.org/the-election...
One last election week housing story from
@citylimitsnews.bsky.social + what you missed in housing this week while everything was happening
citylimits.org/the-election...
Now that we have a mayor-elect Mamdani, might be helpful to dig in on what exactly is going on with the RGB + the rent freeze promise (and how Eric Adams could muck things up). Things could get weird!
If outgoing Mayor Eric Adams appoints new members to the Rent Guidelines Board, it could make it harder for frontrunner Zohran Mamdani to fulfill his "rent freeze" promise. Reporter @patrickspauster.com breaks down the possibilities (with a handy chart!) citylimits.org/can-eric-ada...
November 6, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Now that we have a mayor-elect Mamdani, might be helpful to dig in on what exactly is going on with the RGB + the rent freeze promise (and how Eric Adams could muck things up). Things could get weird!
Maria Torres-Springer will co-chair the Mamdani transition team. My July piece has several helpful nuggets about her governing philosophies that may shape the admin. She believes in partnerships, efficiency and "a maniacal focus on execution"
Read @citylimitsnews.bsky.social:
buff.ly/CTvvPHr
Read @citylimitsnews.bsky.social:
buff.ly/CTvvPHr
November 5, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Maria Torres-Springer will co-chair the Mamdani transition team. My July piece has several helpful nuggets about her governing philosophies that may shape the admin. She believes in partnerships, efficiency and "a maniacal focus on execution"
Read @citylimitsnews.bsky.social:
buff.ly/CTvvPHr
Read @citylimitsnews.bsky.social:
buff.ly/CTvvPHr
ICYMI: Marmarato, Rep Bronx councilmember falls to Dem challenger Shirley Aldebol.
Marmarato oppossed the Just Home aff housing project, which helped her win 2 yrs ago. Aldebol, endorsed by @openny.org is presumably more open to it: buff.ly/gYAvJEH
Marmarato oppossed the Just Home aff housing project, which helped her win 2 yrs ago. Aldebol, endorsed by @openny.org is presumably more open to it: buff.ly/gYAvJEH
November 5, 2025 at 7:56 PM
ICYMI: Marmarato, Rep Bronx councilmember falls to Dem challenger Shirley Aldebol.
Marmarato oppossed the Just Home aff housing project, which helped her win 2 yrs ago. Aldebol, endorsed by @openny.org is presumably more open to it: buff.ly/gYAvJEH
Marmarato oppossed the Just Home aff housing project, which helped her win 2 yrs ago. Aldebol, endorsed by @openny.org is presumably more open to it: buff.ly/gYAvJEH
Mamdani on NYCHA: doesn't rule out PACT conversions (or the preservation trust) which convert public housing to section 8, (and private mgmt in the case of PACT).
Says he wants residents to decide. 7 that have voted went Trust (4), stay Section 9 (2), PACT (1)
h/t @katiehonan.bsky.social
Says he wants residents to decide. 7 that have voted went Trust (4), stay Section 9 (2), PACT (1)
h/t @katiehonan.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Mamdani on NYCHA: doesn't rule out PACT conversions (or the preservation trust) which convert public housing to section 8, (and private mgmt in the case of PACT).
Says he wants residents to decide. 7 that have voted went Trust (4), stay Section 9 (2), PACT (1)
h/t @katiehonan.bsky.social
Says he wants residents to decide. 7 that have voted went Trust (4), stay Section 9 (2), PACT (1)
h/t @katiehonan.bsky.social
Earnest post: very proud of @citylimitsnews.bsky.social election coverage. Video, live coverage (w/data), practical guides, undercovered topics like NYCHA. What we do with a tiny staff amazes me!
+we put housing affordability at the center--just like voters!
Check us out! buff.ly/T3cJGEE
+we put housing affordability at the center--just like voters!
Check us out! buff.ly/T3cJGEE
November 5, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Earnest post: very proud of @citylimitsnews.bsky.social election coverage. Video, live coverage (w/data), practical guides, undercovered topics like NYCHA. What we do with a tiny staff amazes me!
+we put housing affordability at the center--just like voters!
Check us out! buff.ly/T3cJGEE
+we put housing affordability at the center--just like voters!
Check us out! buff.ly/T3cJGEE
NEWS! Looking likely that the housing related ballot measures will pass with over 1.5 million votes counted.
Prop 1 (upstate ski resort) and Prop 6 (moving election years) might be in peril
But people love digitizing the city map! (Prop 5)
Updates on @citylimitsnews.bsky.social
Prop 1 (upstate ski resort) and Prop 6 (moving election years) might be in peril
But people love digitizing the city map! (Prop 5)
Updates on @citylimitsnews.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 2:50 AM
NEWS! Looking likely that the housing related ballot measures will pass with over 1.5 million votes counted.
Prop 1 (upstate ski resort) and Prop 6 (moving election years) might be in peril
But people love digitizing the city map! (Prop 5)
Updates on @citylimitsnews.bsky.social
Prop 1 (upstate ski resort) and Prop 6 (moving election years) might be in peril
But people love digitizing the city map! (Prop 5)
Updates on @citylimitsnews.bsky.social
Quickly up to 53 percent reporting - still tight!
November 5, 2025 at 2:31 AM
Quickly up to 53 percent reporting - still tight!
With (still early!) 25 percent of the vote reporting, the housing ballot measures look in for a close finish. Upstate ski resort (prop 1) and moving election years (prop 6) looking tougher. Digital City Map (prop 5) looks safer!
November 5, 2025 at 2:23 AM
With (still early!) 25 percent of the vote reporting, the housing ballot measures look in for a close finish. Upstate ski resort (prop 1) and moving election years (prop 6) looking tougher. Digital City Map (prop 5) looks safer!
I simply love covering election day. There is joy and hope and frustration and duty.
And for a little fun: reading tea leaves. I talked to 3 Bed-Stuy voters today who were Cuomo in the primary and voted for Mamdani today. @citylimitsnews.bsky.social spoke with a few more
buff.ly/PK2Qdya
And for a little fun: reading tea leaves. I talked to 3 Bed-Stuy voters today who were Cuomo in the primary and voted for Mamdani today. @citylimitsnews.bsky.social spoke with a few more
buff.ly/PK2Qdya
How New Yorkers Say They’re Voting And Why
This election has been defined, in part, by debate over how to address the city's escalating affordability crisis, especially in the face of federal funding cuts.
citylimits.org
November 4, 2025 at 10:38 PM
I simply love covering election day. There is joy and hope and frustration and duty.
And for a little fun: reading tea leaves. I talked to 3 Bed-Stuy voters today who were Cuomo in the primary and voted for Mamdani today. @citylimitsnews.bsky.social spoke with a few more
buff.ly/PK2Qdya
And for a little fun: reading tea leaves. I talked to 3 Bed-Stuy voters today who were Cuomo in the primary and voted for Mamdani today. @citylimitsnews.bsky.social spoke with a few more
buff.ly/PK2Qdya
As the sun sets on election day, a few more councilmembers have come out in support of the ballot measures (or some of them), even as council leadership is united in opposition.
Eric Bottcher and Shaun Abreu were public "Yes" on all, Pierina Sanchez was Y on 2 and Lincoln Restler was Y on 2,3
Eric Bottcher and Shaun Abreu were public "Yes" on all, Pierina Sanchez was Y on 2 and Lincoln Restler was Y on 2,3
November 4, 2025 at 10:20 PM
As the sun sets on election day, a few more councilmembers have come out in support of the ballot measures (or some of them), even as council leadership is united in opposition.
Eric Bottcher and Shaun Abreu were public "Yes" on all, Pierina Sanchez was Y on 2 and Lincoln Restler was Y on 2,3
Eric Bottcher and Shaun Abreu were public "Yes" on all, Pierina Sanchez was Y on 2 and Lincoln Restler was Y on 2,3
Tap in @citylimitsnews.bsky.social where we're tracking what's happening with NYC's four housing related ballot measures:
Polls showed it with healthy 2/3 support and there's been (potentially record) turnout today. citylimits.org/live-updates...
Polls showed it with healthy 2/3 support and there's been (potentially record) turnout today. citylimits.org/live-updates...
Live Updates: New Yorkers Weigh In On Housing Ballot Measures - City Limits
Four measures on the ballot this Election Day would change how New York City permits new affordable housing. City Limits will be tracking the results as votes roll in Tuesday night.
citylimits.org
November 4, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Tap in @citylimitsnews.bsky.social where we're tracking what's happening with NYC's four housing related ballot measures:
Polls showed it with healthy 2/3 support and there's been (potentially record) turnout today. citylimits.org/live-updates...
Polls showed it with healthy 2/3 support and there's been (potentially record) turnout today. citylimits.org/live-updates...
Reposted by Patrick Spauster
Four measures on the ballot this Election Day would change how NYC permits new affordable housing. City Limits reporter @patrickspauster.com will be tracking the results as votes roll in Tuesday night. Read more about the proposals, and check back for updates: citylimits.org/live-updates...
Live Updates: New Yorkers Weigh In On Housing Ballot Measures - City Limits
Four measures on the ballot this Election Day would change how New York City permits new affordable housing. City Limits will be tracking the results as votes roll in Tuesday night.
citylimits.org
November 4, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Four measures on the ballot this Election Day would change how NYC permits new affordable housing. City Limits reporter @patrickspauster.com will be tracking the results as votes roll in Tuesday night. Read more about the proposals, and check back for updates: citylimits.org/live-updates...