Chris Banks: Policy Positions
Affordable Housing and Homeownership
Banks has made affordable housing a centerpiece of his legislative agenda, with particular emphasis on expanding pathways to homeownership for low- and middle-income families . His campaign platform called for increasing access to affordable housing, enforcing affordability standards, requiring developers to set aside units for low- and middle-income families in large projects, and protecting renters from being priced out of neighborhoods they helped build . He has consistently argued that housing affordability in his district must be measured against the area's median incomes, noting that much of the housing built in East New York remains inaccessible to residents earning between $50,000 and $100,000 annually .
Public Housing and NYCHA
As Chair of the Committee on Public Housing, Banks has positioned NYCHA oversight as his primary legislative priority . He has advocated for preserving and protecting Section 9 public housing and investing in critical infrastructure for NYCHA developments . Banks has been a vocal opponent of the privatization of NYCHA housing through the RAD/PACT program, arguing that placing the city's affordable housing stock in the hands of private developers who have not historically served the community is a flawed approach . He has repeatedly pressed NYCHA officials on eviction rates, repair accountability, and resident protections in PACT-converted developments 7.
Land Use and Development
Banks opposed the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity zoning reform plan in December 2024, citing concerns about insufficient affordability protections, the absence of meaningful homeownership provisions, inadequate parking accommodations, and the impact on neighborhood character 8. He noted that all four community boards in his district disapproved of the proposal and stated that his vote reflected the wishes of his constituents . Banks has also opposed housing-related ballot proposals put forward by former Mayor Adams, characterizing them as an encroachment on Council authority and the ULURP process that would strip communities of the power to negotiate community benefits agreements .
Senior Services
Banks has prioritized senior housing, services, and safety. He successfully advocated for the restoration of $6.8 million in budget funding for NYCHA's in-person unarmed security guard program at senior developments . He has called for increasing the budget of the Department for the Aging and has worked to protect senior centers from closure, building on pre-office organizing that preserved the Theresa Moore Senior Center at Pink Houses and the Penn Wortman Senior Center .
Public Safety and Policing
Banks has framed public safety as a core district priority. As former president of the 75th Precinct Council, he worked on improving police-community relations in a neighborhood with a documented history of contentious policing . After a police-involved shooting at the Sutter Avenue L train station near the Brownsville-East New York border, Banks appeared on PIX11 to discuss the incident and called for transparency regarding the released body camera footage .
Deed Theft and Predatory Lending
Banks has worked on legislation to strengthen early-notification requirements for homeowners when any deed-related action is taken against their property . He has highlighted that his district ranks second citywide for tax lien issues and has cited cases of families losing their homes to small water liens through predatory practices . He supports enforcement of existing state statutes that provide authority to pause eviction proceedings in cases where deed theft is being investigated .
Environmental Justice and Sanitation
Banks has pursued environmental justice issues including combating illegal dumping, a significant quality-of-life concern in his district, through investment in organizations such as ACE that provide supplemental sanitation services . He has also focused on climate resilience, particularly in flood-prone areas like Canarsie, and has led block-level environmental initiatives including green thumb planting and public art beautification through the Van Siclen Block Association .
Economic Development and Small Business
Banks has emphasized responsible economic development, calling for sensible development that serves community needs rather than developer interests . He championed legislation (Intro 0061-2026) to create a business directory for NYCHA tenant-owned businesses and establish a marketing campaign to promote them 17. He has also collaborated with the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection on compliance education visits to businesses along the New Lots Avenue commercial corridor .