Leaders and Elected Officials in New York's Capital Region Endorse Governor Hochul's New York Housing Compact Following Albany Visit

 

Governor Kathy Hochul toured an affordable housing development in Albany with local leaders and elected officials to highlight key components of the New York Housing Compact - the Governor's comprehensive strategy announced in the Fiscal Year 2024 Executive Budget to address New York's housing crisis and build 800,000 new homes in the next decade. Advocates voiced their support for the plan, which builds on the Governor's vision to make New York more livable, more accessible, and more affordable.

City of Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan said, "We have created and renovated more than 1,500 units of affordable housing and more than 1,000 units of market rate housing in Albany since 2015. Our proven track record is why I know we will easily meet and exceed the target goals laid out by Governor Hochul's plan to create more housing across our state. Governor Hochul has listened to local leaders in every corner of New York and knows that to grow our economy, we need to create more housing. Governor Hochul's plan ensures that all communities - especially our suburban neighbors - are helping add to our housing stock, especially when it comes to creating more affordable housing. Thank you, Governor Hochul, for listening to the facts, working with localities, and developing a framework that will create more quality housing for all New Yorkers."

City of Albany Treasurer Darius Shahinfar said, "It's refreshing to have a Governor fostering local development from the bottom-up and not the top-down. As much as public housing is a necessary component of meeting our housing challenges, the private sector will always have a bigger role to play in creating housing for the workforce of today and tomorrow."

Albany Housing Authority Executive Director Chiquita D'Arbeau said, "Housing is the foundation for improved quality of life, and in this area, Governor Hochul is a true visionary. It takes everyone in the community, including private and public partners, to meet housing needs in an affordable and equitable way, and Governor Hochul's bold vision is making affordable housing a priority in New York once again."

Redburn Development Principal Jeff Buell said, "This is an incredibly bold initiative by Governor Hochul to increase housing across the spectrum. Housing is a basic human right. Say it again and again. As a company, we have long believed this is the best strategy for rebuilding our cities into walkable, engaging communities. The 21st century City must have housing for everyone and we appreciate the governor taking a proactive approach. If it was easy, it would’ve already been done. Let’s work together to do it now."

Capitalize Albany Corporation President Sarah Reginelli said, "We are grateful for the Governor’s ongoing recognition that housing development is strategic economic development. In the City of Albany more than $500 million has been invested in the creation of not only much-needed affordable and market rate multifamily housing, but also the resulting construction jobs, retail demand, historic preservation, blight removal and enhanced quality of place that increased density drives."

Galvan Foundation Vice President Dan Kent said, "Thank you Governor Kathy Hochul for bringing Capital Region housing leaders and elected officials together in support for more homes in New York State! We strongly support your plan to address the root cause of our housing crisis by ending exclusionary zoning."

SWBR Principal Scott Townsend said, "Everyone deserves a home; a foundation from which to live. Homes need to be created and offered to those already residing in New York but also for others to come live alongside those already here. We ask people to come to our great state to make a living, but we must also provide a dignified place to reside. Governor Hochul's proposed New York Housing Compact addresses these housing needs head on."

TAP Inc. Executive Director Barb Nelson said, "TAP is deeply encouraged by Governor Hochul's acknowledgement that the region's housing stock is an economic development tool that needs to be sharpened, both in quality and quantity. Good housing choices help attract and retain workers at all income levels."

RISE Housing and Support Services said, "RISE is honored to be invited to the Governor's announcement yesterday about her desire to grow affordable and market rate housing over the next 3 years."