New York governor strikes deal to revive affordable housing

New York

FOR the second time in three months, Governor Andrew Cuomo has forged a deal with developers and union construction officials to revive a programme designed to create apartments for poor and working-class New Yorkers. But will it get done?

The programme, known as 421-a, expired in January. It grants cuts in property taxes to developers who set aside subsidised apartments for low, moderate and middle-income families or individuals in their otherwise luxury projects. It is a city programme governed by state legislation.