NYC asking developers to test tiny apartments

NEW YORK — New York City renters have long made a habit of sacrificing square footage to save money. Now, the government wants to help them move into even smaller spaces.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg is inviting developers to propose ways to turn a city lot into a building filled mostly with micro-units of no more than 300 square feet.

The pilot program could lead to a change in regulations that currently require new apartments to be at least 450 square feet.

Bloomberg said Monday the shift will help accommodate the changing population. He says young professionals are waiting longer to start families.

Bloomberg says a shortage of small homes is forcing people to move into illegal subdivisions. The city has 1 million studio and one-bedroom apartments for 1.8 million one- and two-person households.