In a Joint Statement from Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (excerpted below), Leader Stewart-Cousins and Speaker Heastie announced they were unable to come to agreement with Governor Kathy Hochul on a range of housing proposals including extension of the 421-a completion deadline, “Good Cause Eviction,” conversion of commercial buildings and more. Said the Joint Statement: “All three chambers must immediately redouble our efforts and come up with a plan that the governor will sign into law. This plan must prioritize not only the construction of new units of affordable housing but also robust protections for tenants including good cause eviction.”
R&E attorneys are following developments in Albany, and the Legislature will reportedly remain in session through Saturday, so there remains the possibility that some standalone bills may still progress. We will report if and when the Governor and the Legislature reengage on these and other key housing issues.
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Joint Statement From Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (issued June 8, 2023)
After months of deliberations both during and after the budget process, the Legislature was able to work toward an agreement on historic rent protections as well as a massive and transformational housing program, that includes:
- the Homeowner Protection Plan;
- Housing Access Voucher Program;
- Affordable Housing Rehabilitation Program;
- conversion of commercial buildings;
- the extension of 421-A;
- strong labor standards;
- raising the individual apartment improvement cap;
- a Dilapidated Apartment Repair Program;
- the creation of a local affordable housing plan;
- the creation of the Office of Civil Representation;
- a program to provide legal representation for eligible individuals in eviction proceedings;
- and good cause eviction legislation.
Unfortunately, it was clear that we could not come to an agreement with the governor on this plan. It takes all three parties – the Senate, the Assembly and the governor – in order to enact legislation into law. There is no debate – New York is experiencing a housing crisis. All three chambers must immediately redouble our efforts and come up with a plan that the governor will sign into law. This plan must prioritize not only the construction of new units of affordable housing but also robust protections for tenants including good cause eviction.