New York Housing Plan Launches: Hochul and Mamdani Push Projects Forward

Kathy Hochul Presents Agenda to Streamline Projects

Reform Seeks to Reduce Housing Costs

Proposal Enters Budget Debate

The Governor of New York, Kathy Hochul, introduced her “Let Them Build” agenda, a series of reforms aimed at accelerating housing development across the state.

The proposal is part of her 2026 State of the State address and includes changes to the State Environmental Quality Review Act, known as SEQRA.

Delays Increase Costs and Affect Projects

According to the statement, manufacturing, housing, and energy projects can take up to 56% longer in New York compared to similar states. These delays result in higher costs and extended construction timelines.

New York Housing Plan Launches: Hochul and Mamdani Push Projects Forward – PHOTO: Shutterstock

An official report indicates that bureaucracy increases the cost of building a housing unit by as much as $82,000 in New York City. According to the governor, these additional expenses directly impact the ability to build more homes and address the housing crisis.

Governor Hochul Rallies For «Let Them Build» Agenda As Support Grows Across The State https://t.co/EvqkIOoyLw pic.twitter.com/xtTmnDstyj

— Long Island (@longisland) February 10, 2026

Hochul stated that for too long, unnecessary bureaucracy has hindered the housing and infrastructure New Yorkers need to make life more affordable in their communities.

New York Housing Plan Reform: Project Boost and Requirements

The proposal seeks to amend SEQRA to exempt certain types of housing from additional review if they do not have significant environmental impact. According to the statement, such projects have been subjected to prolonged delays for years despite not causing meaningful harm.

New York Housing Plan Launches: Hochul and Mamdani Push Projects Forward – PHOTO: Shutterstock

The exempt housing projects must still comply with state regulatory requirements related to water use, air quality, environmental justice, and protection of natural resources. They must also be located outside flood risk zones to qualify.

The initiative has received support from the New York State Association of Counties, the Association of Towns, and the Conference of Mayors, as well as New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

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Reform Integrated Into the State Budget

Mamdani stated that the housing crisis cannot be addressed without making it easier to build in the city. He noted that the reform would update regulations and allow the implementation of an affordability agenda within the necessary timeframe.

.@GovKathyHochul Rallies Statewide Support for “Let Them Build” Agenda to Address Housing Crisis, Critical Infrastructurehttps://t.co/Ib7yx4VOLo #NYSaffordability #NYShousing #NYSinfrastructure .@NYSDemocrats .@NassauDems .@greatneckdems

— Karen Rubin (@KarenBRubin) February 10, 2026

The proposal is now part of this year’s state budget process, as state and local leaders continue evaluating its inclusion to accelerate housing and infrastructure construction in New York under the broader New York housing plan reform.