Significant reforms to the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) to support infill housing were included in the 2027 fiscal year budget bill passed Tuesday by the Assembly and Senate and signed Wednesday by the Governor — a major win for building housing in Westchester County and throughout New York State.
The Welcome Home Westchester campaign has advocated alongside our partners for the modernization of SEQRA to cut unnecessary red tape for housing projects that will not affect the environment, while maintaining important green spaces in Westchester’s communities. WHW commends Gov. Hochul and members of the Westchester delegation who prioritized these reforms that will help Westchester’s local leaders to more easily address the critical housing shortage.
Important changes to SEQRA affecting Westchester County include:
- Providing exemptions from duplicative environmental review for new housing that is desperately needed and does not result in significant environmental impacts, cutting both costs and speed of construction. Outside of New York City, the exemptions apply to qualifying housing of up to 300 units in urbanized areas, up to 100 units in non-urban areas, and up to 20 units in areas that have no zoning. Housing must be on previously disturbed land and connected to water and sewer systems upon occupancy.
- Adding SEQRA exemptions for categories of beneficial projects including clean water infrastructure, public parks and trails and green infrastructure.
- Establishing a clear, two-year timeline to complete an environmental impact statement, creating a “shot clock” to end the weaponization of environmental review which has led to so many important housing proposals getting caught in an endless cycle of delays, lawsuits, and red tape..
These changes make building simpler for Westchester County municipalities without impacting or impairing local laws and processes that are already in place, including those related to local zoning and other environmental permits.
“By removing these barriers and empowering communities across the state, we are working to drive down costs of critical housing and infrastructure and sending a simple message: now is the time to build,” Gov. Hochul said in a statement, noting that current regulations cause many infrastructure projects to take up to 56 percent longer to build in New York compared to our peers.
Tim Foley, CEO of The Building & Realty Institute and one of the Partners of the Welcome Home Westchester campaign, added, “Every region of the state has lots where there’s existing infrastructure, where something has already been built, and where there’s the skill, the imagination, and the need to rebuild what’s there into desperately needed housing. Thanks to the Governor’s ‘Let Them Build’ agenda in the state budget, small to medium sized infill housing will no longer get bogged down in unnecessary delays, endless lawsuits, and major expenses translating into ever higher sales and rental prices when the project is completed. These reforms to environmental review will cut red tape while strengthening our environmental protections, making it easier to build the housing we need in Westchester and revitalize our downtowns while still protecting against suburban sprawl.”
Michael N. Romita, President & CEO, Westchester County Association, a Welcome Home Westchester partner, stated: “The lack of adequate housing remains one of New York’s primary impediments to economic growth, particularly in our suburban communities. We can protect our environment while also reducing the unnecessary delays that have stalled urgently needed housing and critical infrastructure projects across the State. This year’s budget agreement marks a significant milestone. We applaud Governor Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, and our entire legislative delegation for revising antiquated procedures that are holding back our economy. These common-sense reforms will advance responsible growth and empower our local communities to move critical projects forward.”