Gov. Hochul's affordable housing plan still stalling point in state budget negotiations

The governor's proposal to force local municipalities to comply with state plans to increase housing is in limbo after being stripped from the budget by members of her own party.

Joe Arena

Apr 8, 2023, 2:33 AM

Updated 628 days ago

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State budget negotiations are still delayed and Gov. Kathy Hochul's plan to create new housing in the suburbs is one issue legislators are fighting over.
Hochul's proposal to force local municipalities to comply with state plans to increase housing is in limbo after being stripped from the budget by members of her own party.
Affordable housing is a major issue on Long Island for residents like Peggy Smith, who is a nurse.
"I've been a nurse for 40 years - if I can't find affordable housing on Long Island, if firefighters can't find affordable housing on Long Island, what happens to other people who are making less than $50,000?" Smith says.
Younger people are also concerned about finding affordable housing in the area.
Some who oppose the governor's proposal say the environment could suffer as a result of an increase in housing.
Eric Swenson, executive director of Friends of the Bay, says potential environmental impacts should be considered when talking about building houses.
He says issues like excess nitrogen from sewage and what will happen to the groundwater specifically are issues that should be considered.
The governor's proposal would set growth targets, drive development near train stations and potentially let state officials override local zoning decisions.
Other plans now being floated would offer state funding to communities that opt to build more housing.