G
ov. Kathy Hochul's approach to the housing problem seems to be taking small steps towards a solution, but ultimately falling short of making significant progress. Two out of three legislative priorities from pro-housing group Open New York made it into Hochul's new agenda, but one key proposal was watered down.

    Open New York's 2025 wish list includes empowering religious organizations to develop affordable housing, creating a state fund for equitable mixed-income projects, and streamlining the State Environmental Quality Review Act. However, Hochul ignored the first point, likely due to suburban opposition that led her to exclude the Faith-Based Affordable Housing Act from last year's housing deal.

    The second proposal, a revolving loan fund for mixed-income housing, was included in Hochul's agenda but with more modest goals than Open New York had hoped for. The group's bill would allow for larger projects, while Hochul's version is limited to smaller developments.

    On the third point, Hochul proposed streamlining reviews for small home development projects, but this falls short of Open New York's goal of removing opportunities for NIMBY types to block new homes through litigation and other tactics. Executive director Annemarie Gray said that without addressing restrictive local zoning rules, no housing strategy can succeed.

    The bill allowing churches, synagogues, and mosques to build mixed-income housing on their own land was a missed opportunity, as it failed last year due to opposition from Long Island officials. This bill is needed because many religious institutions own land not zoned for housing, making it difficult or impossible to get rezoned. The proposed legislation would require at least 20% of the development's floor area to be affordable to households earning up to 80% of the area median income.

    Overall, Hochul's 2025 housing agenda is seen as too timid by Open New York, which argues that addressing local zoning rules is crucial for solving the state's housing crisis.