Governor Kathy Hochul on Tuesday announced a series of executive actions to tackle New York’s housing crisis, which is largely caused by an extreme shortage in available housing. The initiatives include:
• A program to advance residential projects stalled due to the expiration of 421-A that feature affordable housing in Brooklyn’s Gowanus neighborhood;
• An executive order creating preference for localities across the state that satisfy a new “Pro-Housing Community” certification process when it comes to certain discretionary funding programs;
• A requirement for all state entities identify potential uses of their own lands for supporting additional housing; • Regulatory efforts intended at identifying opportunities for greater efficiency and promoting increased construction activity; and • The launch of a beta version interactive portal collecting community-level zoning data as well as information about existing or proposed developments.
“These executive actions are an essential first step towards expanding our supply and stimulating growth,” said Hochul. “Nevertheless, we need action from legislature if we want fully address this issue – I’m committed continuing our work on this matter during upcoming months.”
Rafael Cestero, CEO at Community Housing Preservation Corp., commented Wednesday: “I applaud Governor Hochul taking decisive action so we can start developing again after legislative session failed providing meaningful results. We cannot provide relief rent burdened New Yorkers nor begin solving homelessness crisis unless having tools, incentives plus common sense policies needed build more homes”.
