Nassau Standard

Gov. Kathy Hochul and religious leaders are advocating for new housing projects that could circumvent local zoning laws in an effort to address the housing crisis in New York State. Hochul's original housing proposal was met with resistance from local government officials and legislators, who argued that it would override local zoning and disrupt communities.

Hochul's revised plan focuses on building 15,000 new housing units statewide on state land, particularly in high-cost areas like Long Island, New York City, and Westchester County. The proposed legislation includes leasing state property for housing development in various locations.

Senator Jack Martins raised concerns about the potential conflict between state-owned land and local zoning laws, emphasizing the importance of local control in housing development projects.

In a separate initiative, a coalition of Black ministers is supporting a bill that would allow for the construction of affordable housing on land owned by houses of worship, even if it goes against local zoning regulations. Bishop Phillip Elliott of Antioch Baptist Church highlighted the need for affordable housing to prevent young New Yorkers from leaving the state.

Both proposals have garnered some support in the State Legislature, with the Senate favoring Hochul's idea of using state land for housing and the Assembly expressing support for the concept of affordable housing on state land. The Senate is also open to further discussions on the Faith Based Affordable Act proposal.

These efforts echo similar actions taken in California, where the state has implemented measures to facilitate housing projects on state land and on properties owned by religious organizations, bypassing local zoning laws.

Lawrence Levy of Hofstra University's National Center for Suburban Studies noted that while there is a consensus on the need for affordable housing, challenges lie ahead due to potential opposition based on the perception of encroaching on local control.

In the ongoing battle to address the housing crisis, Hochul and supporters of faith-based housing initiatives are navigating a complex landscape that involves balancing the need for affordable housing with concerns about local autonomy and control.