August 31, 2023
Albany, NY

Governor Hochul Launches Pro-Housing Communities Program to Prioritize $650 Million in State Discretionary Funding to Localities Committed to Housing Growth

Qualifying Localities With Pro-Housing Community Certification Will Receive Priority Consideration for Key Economic Development and Housing Programs

Part of Governor’s Package of Executive Actions to Promote Housing Growth Across New York State

Application and Program Page Available Here

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Governor Kathy Hochul today launched the Pro-Housing Communities Program, a statewide initiative to give priority consideration for up to $650 million in state discretionary funds to localities committed to housing growth. The program, announced by Governor Hochul earlier this summer as part of a package of executive actions to promote housing growth, invites municipalities (cities, towns, and villages) to apply for Pro-Housing Community certification. Certified Pro-Housing Communities will receive priority over other localities in their applications for certain discretionary funds, including $650 million in State grant programs like the Downtown Revitalization Initiative that were included in the FY24 Budget. Applications for the new program are now open.

“Communities willing to help us solve the housing crisis should be first in line for State discretionary funding,” Governor Hochul said. “Increasing the housing supply in New York is critical, and I’m using every tool a governor has at her disposal to make an impact. I look forward to visiting Certified Pro-Housing communities across New York to celebrate their accomplishments in the months to come.”

New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “Local governments are a critical part of the solution to the housing shortage in New York State and we now have a program in place to reward them for their efforts. Communities who do their part to increase housing supply will receive a boost in their applications for some of the State’s most in-demand discretionary funding streams. This is a win-win for everyone and an important step toward growing the housing that New York needs.”To be designated a Pro-Housing Community, municipalities must provide key information about their local zoning map/code and information detailing local housing permit approvals over the past five years.

Localities who submit documentation that their housing stock has increased by one percent in the previous year or 3 percent over the previous three years (downstate) or by 0.33 percent in the last year or 1 percent over the previous three years (upstate) will qualify for the certification. Communities that have not yet seen housing growth can also achieve Pro-Housing Community designation by passing a resolution stating their commitment to Pro-Housing principles.

The New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal will review program applications on a rolling basis and provide approval or denial within 90 days of submission. Those receiving certification must resubmit their housing permit data and any updates to their zoning on an annual basis to remain certified and qualify for prioritization.

Certified Pro-Housing Communities will be considered first among localities applying for:

The Pro-Housing Communities Program builds on Governor Hochul’s bold vision to increase the housing supply and address New York’s housing crisis. The Governor’s executive actions also included:

  • A program to advance residential projects halted by the expiration of 421-A that include affordable housing in the Gowanus neighborhood in Brooklyn.
  • A new requirement that all State entities identify the potential for their state-owned lands to support housing.
  • Recent and forthcoming regulatory initiatives to identify opportunities for greater efficiencies to promote housing growth.
  • The launch of the beta version of a new, interactive portal to collect and share community-level housing and zoning data and information on an ongoing basis.

For more information about the Governor’s housing agenda, including recent executive actions like the Pro-Housing Communities Program, visit the Governor’s website.

Contact the Governor’s Press Office

Contact us by phone:

Albany: (518) 474 - 8418
New York City: (212) 681 - 4640

Translations

الترجمة إلى العربية
বাংলা অনুবাদ
Traduction en français
Tradiksyon kreyòl ayisyen
Traduzione italiana
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Traducción al español
پیلے رنگ سے نمایاں کردہ ٹیکسٹ
אידישע איבערטייטשונג