"NYC's Vanishing Apartments: A Housing Crisis Unveiled"
An analysis of building records reveals that New York City has lost over 100,000 apartments since 1950 due to apartment combinations and building conversions into single-family homes. While the overall number of apartments in the city has grown, it hasn't kept up with the population and demand. The rate of combinations increased in the 1990s, particularly in wealthier neighborhoods, exacerbating the city's housing shortage. While some view these combinations as restoration projects, others argue that they contribute to the housing crisis. The need for new construction to address the housing crisis is emphasized, as combining apartments may not always be a good investment.