The Welcome Home Westchester campaign applauds Governor Kathy Hochul for placing affordable housing as a priority in her State of the State Agenda for 2022. The proposed $25 billion, five-year Housing Plan to preserve 100,000 affordable homes in both urban and rural communities, including 10,000 homes with support services for vulnerable populations, would be truly transformative if passed and would greatly help fill the gap of 11,703 units of new construction desperately needed in Westchester County.
We particularly commend Governor Hochul for support for land use reform to make it easier to build Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in our communities, which can provide more affordable housing options while supplementing incomes to middle-class and senior homeowners. Her support for Transit-Oriented Developments (TOD) and her readiness to engage in moving this conversation forward is a boon not just for our housing needs but reducing our climate impact and supporting the revitalization of downtown business districts. Although we would encourage the Governor to not just support those communities who are already sold on the benefits, but encourage more skeptical communities to take action.
Lastly, converting hotels and offices to residential units will be critical for the housing crisis in NYC, and it would be equally beneficial to have the legislation expanded throughout the state, particularly Westchester County, where there is an abundance of vacant office space and recently-closed hotels that could be transformed into residential use.
–Timothy Foley, CEO and Executive Vice President of the Building and Realty Institute
Campaign Statement: Governor Hochul Makes Affordable Housing a Top Priority in 2022 State of the State Agenda
Posted in News & Events.