In a surprising move, New York Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that she is dropping her initiative to pass legislation mandating the Empire State expand its housing growth in individual communities. This decision comes as Democrats head into an election season that could prove contentious, with Hochul focusing on her agenda for 2024.
Hochul’s “New York Housing Compact” aimed to build 800,000 new homes and affordable housing over the next decade. The plan would have given the state new authority to override zoning laws in towns that did not want to comply with expanding housing options. However, the legislation failed in the legislature earlier this year, facing opposition from lawmakers, particularly in New York City suburbs, who objected to Albany having a say in how municipalities build and regulate housing.
Political considerations are believed to have played a significant role in Hochul’s decision, as the suburbs of New York are crucial battlegrounds that could sway control of the House and have important races for the State Legislature. John Tomlin, a New York-based Democratic strategist, stated that areas in the Hudson Valley and Long Island opposed many elements of the governor’s Housing Compact, leading Hochul to determine that pushing for these policies would not yield political benefits.
The move to drop the housing expansion plan comes as New York Democrats are working to regain six congressional seats in the upcoming election cycle. Hochul, who became the Empire State’s first female governor after Andrew Cuomo’s resignation, is also fresh off a contentious gubernatorial race against former Republican New York Representative Lee Zeldin in 2022.
While housing affordability remains a major problem in New York, Hochul has shifted her focus to using her executive action power to address the issue following the failure of the legislation. A spokesperson for the governor emphasized that Hochul is committed to tackling the housing crisis and believes that the state needs to build more supply to drive down housing costs. However, until the legislature is ready to hold serious discussions on the matter, she will continue to use her executive powers.
The proposal faced strong opposition from communities outside of New York City, where mayors expressed concerns about Albany’s approach to increasing housing. Some argued that while more affordable housing is needed, forcing small towns to comply with housing mandates was not the right solution. The issue of local control was politically potent, cutting across party lines and drawing criticism from both Democrats and Republicans.
Addressing New York’s housing crisis remains a political winner for Democrats, but the right policy approach is crucial. Converting empty office space into housing, for example, could garner support from both sides of the aisle. Hochul remains determined to find solutions to the housing crisis and has expressed her commitment to resolving the issue within her tenure.
As the election season unfolds, Hochul’s decision to drop the housing expansion plan will likely have implications for both the Democratic Party’s electoral prospects and the future of affordable housing in New York. The governor’s focus on executive action and her dedication to addressing the housing crisis will be closely watched by residents and policymakers alike.
