Stringer plan to boost housing for homeless

Saying he’s declaring “a real war on poverty,” city Comptroller Scott Stringer on Thursday called on the city to triple the number of new affordable apartments set aside for the homeless.

He said 15 percent should go to the homeless, compared with the 5 percent now being reserved.

Mayor de Blasio previously rejected demands for an increase to 10 percent, making Stringer’s proposal a nonstarter at City Hall.

Stringer argued that his plan would help the poor as well as the homeless.

“Today we declare a real war on poverty,” said Democrat Stringer, who is widely considered a mayoral contender in 2021.

He suggested spending an additional $370 million a year on affordable housing, while providing $125 million in new rent subsidies.

The revenue would come from a new property-transfer tax based on a home’s sale price, which would replace several other city and state taxes, including mortgage-recording levies.

That would wipe out one big benefit enjoyed by wealthy home buyers — they don’t pay the current city/state mortgage-recording tax if their purchase is all cash.

Stringer said 80 percent of all condo sales above $5 million in Manhattan close without mortgages.

Albany would have to approve any changes.