GUEST VIEWPOINT: Gov. Hochul’s Plan is a Game Changer for Suburban Communities Facing Mounting Housing Pressures

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared in the Rockland County Business Journal.

As New York grapples with a generational housing crisis, Governor Kathy Hochul has once again demonstrated a firm commitment to tackling affordability, accessibility, and equity in housing development. Last year, her administration broke a 50-year stalemate to secure landmark housing reforms. In her 2025 State of the State address, she laid out an ambitious roadmap to address housing challenges statewide, including suburban communities.

Housing scarcity and soaring costs have disproportionately impacted teachers, nurses, first responders, young families, and retirees—the very backbone of our communities. With suburban areas facing unique hurdles to development, the governor’s focus on unlocking suburban housing growth is both timely and transformative.

Pathways for Suburban Housing Development

Hochul’s plan emphasizes innovative strategies to increase housing supply while respecting suburban character. For starters, her proposal to incentivize starter home construction marks a significant shift. Traditionally, new homes built in suburban markets have leaned larger and pricier, sidelining younger families and first-time buyers. By allocating new capital funding for factory-built and modular starter homes, the governor aims to create attainable homeownership opportunities for working- and middle-class families.

Another key element of her plan is down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers. Saving for a down payment remains one of the largest barriers to homeownership, especially for lower-income households. Providing targeted support to help families achieve this milestone is an essential step toward leveling the playing field.

Gov. Hochul is also proposing a groundbreaking Affordable Homebuyer Tax Incentive. By addressing local property tax assessments, this initiative seeks to reduce the financial burden on low- and moderate-income buyers. Coupled with legislation to disincentivize bulk home purchases by institutional investors, the governor’s approach prioritizes families and individuals over hedge funds, creating a fairer and more competitive housing market.

Empowering Localities to be Part of the Solution

One of the most pressing challenges in suburban housing development is the resistance from local communities, often rooted in outdated zoning laws or infrastructure limitations. Hochul’s plan seeks to address this by creating a Pro-Housing Supply Infrastructure Fund. This $100-million fund will assist municipalities in upgrading critical infrastructure—like water and sewer systems—necessary to accommodate new housing.

Additionally, the governor is doubling down on technical assistance for communities seeking to adopt pro-housing policies. From zoning updates to streamlined permitting, these resources will empower localities to embrace housing development while maintaining their unique character.

The environmental review process, often a bottleneck for smaller-scale projects, will also see much-needed reform. By categorizing modestly-sized developments as “Type II” projects under SEQRA, the governor aims to simplify and expedite approvals, ensuring that essential housing is built faster.

Protecting Affordability and Combatting Discrimination

Hochul’s vision extends beyond creating more housing; it’s about ensuring that housing remains affordable and accessible. Her commitment to combating appraisal discrimination is a critical step in addressing the racial wealth gap. By diversifying the appraiser workforce and enforcing anti-bias measures, she seeks to restore fairness to a system that has long disadvantaged communities of color.

The governor’s plan also targets skyrocketing rents, including the predatory practices of algorithm-driven rent price fixing. By proposing the nation’s first legislation to ban this practice, Hochul is taking a bold stance to protect renters from artificially inflated housing costs.

What This Means for Suburban Communities

Gov. Hochul’s plan is a game changer for suburban communities facing mounting housing pressures. It provides the tools and funding needed to strike a balance between growth and preservation, ensuring that suburbs can welcome new families without losing their identity.

However, the success of these initiatives will hinge on collaboration between the state and local governments. Suburban leaders must rise to the challenge, embracing solutions that serve the greater good while addressing local concerns.

A Call to Action

Gov. Hochul’s housing agenda is more than a set of policies—it’s a call to action for New Yorkers to reimagine the future of our neighborhoods. The stakes are high, but the rewards are greater: vibrant, diverse communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

As we move forward, let’s remember that housing is not just about shelter; it’s about building the foundation for strong families, resilient communities, and a more equitable state. Gov. Hochul has shown the way—now it’s up to us to make it a reality.