Governor Hochul Takes Executive Action on Housing Production

Governor Kathy Hochul has announced several executive actions intended to promote housing growth in communities across the state, including creating a “Pro-Housing Community” designation that could give localities a leg up in competing for existing community development funds.

In total, the actions:

create a program to advance certain residential development projects in the Gowanus neighborhood of Brooklyn that were halted by the expiration of the 421-a tax incentive program;
announce Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for two State-owned sites that can support residential use;
require all State agencies to identify other State-owned lands with the potential to support housing development;
launch a beta version of a new, interactive portal database of community-level housing and zoning data;
highlight recent and forthcoming regulatory efforts to improve efficiency and promote housing growth; and
create a preference for certain discretionary funding for localities that comply with the new “Pro-Housing Community” certification process. Communities will apply by reporting on their zoning, housing stock, permit approvals, and other relevant datapoints and, once certified, will receive a preference when competing for funding through programs like the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and the Main Street Program.

This year’s legislative session ended with little action on housing after lawmakers and local officials rejected the Governor’s “NY Housing Compact” budget proposal to require communities throughout the state to meet mandated housing stock growth targets and the Governor, in turn, rejected the Legislature’s counterproposal to pair incentives for affordable housing stock growth with rental assistance and stronger tenant protections (like the controversial “good cause eviction” policy).

The Governor characterized these executive actions as “an important first step,” but reiterated the need for legislative action to fully address the state’s housing crisis and recommitted to working on the issue in the coming months. In response, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie indicated that Assembly Democrats are ready to work with the Governor on a plan that includes elements like tenant protections, investments in affordable housing, and more pathways to homeownership. LeadingAge NY will continue to monitor and report on these negotiations and other policy proposals with the potential to affect senior housing developers and providers.

Contact: Annalyse Komoroske Denio, akomoroskedenio@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8866