Landmark Reforms to Cut Red Tape & Build Housing

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced her “Let Them Build” agenda, a series of landmark reforms to speed up housing and infrastructure projects and lower costs as part of her 2026 State of the State. “Let Them Build” is about making government work better on behalf of New Yorkers. This initiative will spur a series of common sense reforms to New York’s State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) and executive actions to expedite critical categories of projects that have been consistently found to not have adverse environmental impacts. Together, these actions will allow projects that localities want to move forward and that will not harm the environment do so faster, while prioritizing smarter growth to ensure we continue to protect communities, preserve our environment, and conserve New York’s natural resources.

“New York has always been a place of boundless ambitions: from the Erie Canal to the Empire State Building. But for too long, unnecessary red tape has stood in the way of new housing and critical infrastructure.” Governor Hochul said. “If local leaders want to deliver new investments for their communities, I say ‘Let Them Build.’”

Today, it is too difficult to build major projects in New York: an analysis by Empire State Development found that manufacturing, housing and energy projects can take as much as 56 percent longer in New York State to get from concept to groundbreaking compared to peer states. Longer projects equal higher costs, a challenge that is especially critical in the context of New York’s housing crisis, where the only solution to high costs and scarce homes is to build more housing faster and cheaper than before. Similarly, unduly burdensome requirements delay needed investment in clean water infrastructure, child care centers, and parks.

Helping Our Communities Build Housing We Need

When Governor Hochul took office, she vowed to tackle the housing crisis and bring down costs by building the housing that New Yorkers desperately need so that more hard working families can afford a place to call home. However, too many projects in New York, including much-needed affordable housing developments, are forced to navigate a web of red tape created by state mandates that add unnecessary costs and years of needless delays, despite these projects consistently being found to have no significant environmental impact. Studies have quantified how State-mandated environmental review can slow down housing projects by an average of two years, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars per project, at a time when New Yorkers can least afford the wait for the housing they need to continue to live and thrive in New York.

To speed up the development of housing to create a more affordable and sustainable New York, Governor Hochul will propose to amend the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) to exempt certain types of housing projects that have no significant impacts on the environment, which are still subject to local zoning, from additional SEQRA review. Projects will still be required to comply with crucial State regulatory and permit requirements governing water use, air quality, environmental justice, and protection of natural resources, as well as local zoning and other permitting requirements. Projects must also be located outside of flood risk areas in order to qualify. The type of housing project that can be reclassified under SEQRA will differ according to the housing needs and contexts of different parts of the state. In New York City, the State will set caps on the size a building must be to avoid the requirement of additional SEQRA review, with caps varying on the basis of the density of the neighborhoods as determined by the City. In the rest of the state, to avoid additional SEQRA review, housing projects must be on previously disturbed land, connected to existing water and sewer systems, and subject to additional unit caps.

A review by New York City and New York State Homes and Community Renewal over the last five to ten years of over a thousand housing projects found that virtually none of such projects ultimately were found to have significant environmental impacts, but nevertheless were still subject to lengthy reviews. These reforms will accelerate the delivery of much needed housing and reduce the cost of building in ways that are consistent with sustainable and environmentally-protective development, driving down the cost of housing and rents across the state while protecting our natural resources.

Accelerating Critical Infrastructure Projects That New Yorkers Depend On

Governor Hochul will also propose to facilitate the speedier, cheaper delivery of a broad range of beneficial infrastructure projects that New Yorkers depend on. She will propose to adjust SEQRA’s classifications to allow the following important categories of projects not in need of additional SEQRA review to start serving New Yorkers faster:

• Clean Water Infrastructure: Critical water infrastructure projects that avoid impacts to natural resources.
• Green Infrastructure: Nature-based storm water management.
• Parks and Trails: Public parks and recreational bike/pedestrian paths on previously disturbed land.
• Child Care: New or renovated child care centers on previously disturbed land.

Governor Hochul’s proposal would reserve these fast-track environmental review processes for only those projects proceeding at previously disturbed areas, meaning areas that have already been developed or improved, which provides the dual benefit of protecting our natural resources and undisturbed lands, while strengthening our neighborhoods. The Governor’s approach would yield tangible environmental benefits including improved air and water quality, a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and the preservation of critical habitats when compared to policies which encourage sprawl and unchecked development of natural areas. In addition, Governor Hochul will direct the New York Power Authority and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to update their regulations to facilitate and speed up the deployment of clean energy projects.

Combined, these actions will drastically reduce administrative steps and accelerate project timelines, while maintaining local zoning requirements and environmental standards of all other state permits, ensuring progress does not come at the expense of New Yorkers or natural resources.

Delivering Faster Decisions for Local Communities Through Clear Timelines and Accountability

Currently SEQRA review timelines vary greatly across projects, creating unpredictability for local communities, project sponsors, and state agencies alike. This unpredictability can contribute to significant project delays and add substantial costs to project budgets. To drive further accountability and streamline the environmental review process, Governor Hochul will ensure project review is subject to a two-year maximum deadline for completion of a SEQRA environmental impact statement from a positive declaration (i.e., the initial decision to move forward with an environmental impact statement) to the issuance of the final agency decision. Extensions could be evaluated in certain circumstances.

Governor Hochul will also clarify exactly when the time to challenge an environmental review begins to accrue. This change aligns the legal clock for environmental concerns with the clock for the project’s actual permits, such as a site plan or subdivision approval. By doing this, the State removes court confusion and ensures that all legal challenges follow the same schedule.

Streamlining Environmental Impact Statements To Cut Down Review Timelines

To accelerate the process of developing Environmental Impact Statements, which are time-intensive assessments of how a proposed project would impact the environment, Governor Hochul will direct the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to develop ‘Generic Environmental Impact Statements' (GEISs). GEISs are comprehensive reviews for common project types which allow developers to quickly progress through the environmental review process and guide their upfront decision making and site selection. Governor Hochul will direct DEC to develop new GEISs to cut down environmental review timelines for selected types of renewable energy and housing projects.

Modernizing New York’s Permitting Processes to Save Time and Money for Localities

It has been decades since some of New York’s state agencies have updated their processes and technologies used to review and approve permits, which are a critical and often time-consuming step in building desired new infrastructure. Outdated permitting processes drive up costs and create needless bureaucratic hoops for projects to jump through. To modernize and expedite these processes, Governor Hochul will direct state agencies involved in permitting and environmental reviews to conduct an end-to-end review of their processes and identify opportunities to accelerate reviews and alleviate bottlenecks.

Governor Hochul will also provide support to agencies to consider and implement new technologies to help streamline reviews. As part of this effort, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will launch “Smart Access,” a consolidated platform for applicants and government agencies to follow the progress of permits and environmental reviews in real time and access the latest documents. In addition, to drive accountability, increase transparency, and help agencies meet timelines established in law, Governor Hochul will direct state agencies, in partnership with the newly established Office of Performance Management and Innovation (OPMI), to develop internal performance tracking systems to monitor the status of permits and environmental reviews.

Together, these efforts will help us accelerate project reviews, while maintaining our commitment to important permits and reviews intended to protect our environment and keep our communities safe.

Expediting Major State Infrastructure Projects to Serve New Yorkers Faster

To help expedite the delivery of the most significant projects in the state, Governor Hochul will establish a new program to streamline and speed up permitting processes for key economic development and infrastructure projects across New York, within the relevant legislative framework. The program would oversee and monitor the permitting process of designated projects of statewide significance such as the new Nuclear Generation Project in Upstate New York or the new IBX transit line in New York City to reduce wait times for the workers, businesses, students and families who depend on these projects while continuing to prioritize safety. For designated projects, the program would be responsible for setting and overseeing clear, transparent permitting schedules; assist with interagency, federal, and local coordination; accelerate permitting processes; and address other issues as they arise.

Supporting Local Communities Through a Permitting Academy

Many localities face significant challenges navigating the complicated web of local, state, and federal permitting requirements, especially smaller localities with limited staff. To tackle this issue, the State will provide enhanced support and education to local governments to help them better understand the SEQRA process, which will help ensure a more effective environmental review. The State, in partnership with Regional Economic Development Councils, will conduct a series of workshops with local governments to cover best practices and provide assistance for localities in need of additional support.

Driving Economic Growth by Activating Underutilized Sites in the North Country

New York’s commitment to our forest preserves, including the Adirondack Park, is defined by the “Forever Wild” clause, which is a constitutional promise that our Forest Preserve will remain a pristine legacy for generations. However, today, several former correctional facilities - Camp Gabriels, Moriah Shock, and Mount McGregor - sit dormant. These crumbling sites are more than just eyesores; they are environmental hazards and lost opportunities for the people who call the North Country home.

To address this, Governor Hochul will propose a constitutional amendment to return these underutilized sites to productive and critically-needed uses, such as for housing development, while also securing a win for conservation. By authorizing the redevelopment of these specific locations, Governor Hochul will at the same time propose adding even more land into the Forest Preserve.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said, "We cannot address our housing crisis without making it easier to build housing in New York City. Environmental review reform would bring our regulations into the 21st century and ensure we can deliver an affordability agenda on the timetable needed," said New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. "I commend Governor Hochul for this commonsense proposal and hope it will be a part of the enacted state budget this year. New Yorkers can't wait any longer for action on housing."

New York State Association for Affordable Housing President and CEO Carlina Rivera said, The Governor’s proposed ‘Let Them Build Agenda,’ including changes to the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) aimed at streamlining approvals for certain housing and infrastructure projects, is both welcome and necessary. NYSAFAH has consistently advocated for reforms that strike the right balance between accelerating the construction of much needed housing and maintaining strong environmental protections. These changes will help remove unnecessary delays, reduce costs, and allow responsible projects to move forward more efficiently, which is critical to addressing New York’s housing shortage at the scale the crisis demands.”

SEIU 32BJ President Manny Pastreich said, “We have a housing crisis. How we address that crisis must be balanced with the environmental impacts of new building. This policy proposal maintains environmental protections, while making it less cumbersome for housing to get built. Governor Kathy Hochul is striking the right balance here.”

President of the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council Rich Maroko said, "New York’s housing crisis threatens the livelihoods of hardworking families across our state. Once again, Governor Hochul’s bold strategy demonstrates real leadership and a clear commitment to making New York more affordable for the people who live and work here.”

City of New Rochelle Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert said, “Local governments are on the front lines of delivering housing, infrastructure, and community improvements, and lengthy, duplicative review processes can slow down projects residents are counting on. Governor Hochul’s proposal to modernize SEQRA recognizes the need to protect our environment while also making it easier for communities to move forward responsibly. By reducing unnecessary delays and improving coordination, these reforms will help lower costs, increase transparency, and allow municipalities like ours to plan and build more effectively. I appreciate the Governor’s leadership in advancing thoughtful reforms that support sustainable growth and stronger, more resilient communities.”

City of Peekskill Mayor Vivian C. McKenzie said, “For local governments, time matters. Governor Hochul’s proposal to modernize SEQRA is about cutting through unnecessary delays so communities can move forward on housing, infrastructure, and quality-of-life projects residents have been waiting for. These reforms respect environmental protections while giving cities and towns the tools we need to plan, build, and grow responsibly. I appreciate the Governor’s leadership in recognizing that smart reform can strengthen both our environment and our local economies.”

Village of Pelham Mayor and Housing Council Executive Director Chance Mullen said, “Local leaders have been calling for SEQRA reform for years, and it’s encouraging to see Governor Hochul listening. I’m cautiously optimistic this proposal can help communities deliver the housing our residents need while cutting unnecessary red tape. Making it easier to build homes is essential to easing costs for everyday New Yorkers and meeting the needs of our constituents.”

Village of Fredonia Mayor Mike Ferguson said, “Governor Hochul’s proposed amendment to current items of the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) will have the largest impact by helping to eliminate more roadblocks for citizens wanting to buy small-scale and multi-family homes. This will remove yet another financial burden for homebuyers. That’s a big help to communities our size. Once again the Governor is showing that she fights for families and fights for us everyday.”

East Hampton Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez said, “East Hampton needs more affordable housing so the people who keep our town running can continue living here, including teachers, health care workers, first responders, town employees, and young families. I appreciate Governor Hochul for making this a priority and for backing a clearer, more consistent review process that helps communities build the homes New Yorkers need while continuing to protect our environment, our water, and our open space.”

Rochester Mayor Malik Evans said, “I applaud Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposed regulatory reforms, which will continue to protect our environment while cutting through unnecessary red tape. These reforms will allow us to move expeditiously on projects that are critical to the health and safety of our residents.”

Partnership for New York City President and CEO Kathryn Wylde said, “The SEQRA process has long been in need of reform. It is overly bureaucratic and lengthy. It is great that Governor Hochul will take on this unnecessary contributor to the high cost of housing development in the city.”

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, and Former Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy said, “I applaud Governor Hochul’s plan to reform and modernize the SEQR process. The current process and elongated timelines have made NYS far less attractive and competitive for construction and growth. The current SEQR process along with other regulatory impediments have dramatically slowed down home construction at a time when NYS needs housing now more than ever. The Governor is spot on with her proposal - which will have a profound impact on housing, construction, and our economy.”

Regional Plan Association President and CEO Tom Wright said, “Reforms to the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) will help fast-track the smart, sustainable infrastructure our region needs, and we commend Governor Kathy Hochul for her bold leadership in taking on this long-overdue work. For over one hundred years, RPA has focused on one core mission: improving quality of life across the tri-state region by advancing solutions that lead to economic vitality, environmental resilience, and healthy, thriving communities. SEQR modernization will greenlight the housing, energy, and transit investments New Yorkers support, and that our region needs to remain competitive, equitable, and resilient.”

Association for a Better Long Island Executive Director Kyle Strober said, "This is a significant update for the New York economic development community. One of the biggest hurdles that economic development projects face is unpredictable timelines and prohibitive soft costs for small to mid-sized projects. These reforms, proposed by Governor Hochul, will help spur economic development, create housing and help make New York more affordable."

Long Island Contractors’ Association Executive Director Marc Herbst said, “Contractors across Long Island welcome efforts to modernize SEQRA so essential infrastructure projects can move forward in a more timely and predictable way. Streamlining reviews for projects with minimal environmental impact will help communities deliver critical upgrades to roads, water, energy, and public facilities — supporting good-paying local jobs while maintaining strong environmental standards.”

Open New York Executive Director Annemarie Gray said, “Modernizing SEQRA is about restoring faith that our government can deliver on the things New Yorkers need. When critical projects spend five years being delayed by paperwork, people lose faith in government. Right now, we’re facing both an affordability crisis and a climate crisis—these demand immediate action, and New York families can’t afford to wait years for delays driven by frivolous lawsuits. We commend Governor Kathy Hochul for taking this on and urge the State Legislature to pass SEQRA reform in this year’s state budget.”

Citizens Budget Commission President Andrew Rein said, “We commend Governor Hochul for proposing this bold step to boost much-needed housing production. Reforming the onerous environmental review process will make building housing cheaper and faster, without additional cost to the State. That's the sort of smart choice that will make our state more affordable and competitive.”

Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA Executive Director Lisa Daglian said, "SEQR reform is a crucial complement to transit-oriented development projects around the MTA region, simultaneously combating the housing affordability and climate change crises. We applaud Governor Hochul for taking on this common-sense legislation that will cut red tape and encourage more transit ridership across the region."

New York State Economic Development Council Executive Director Ryan M. Silva said, “Cutting through red tape and reducing timelines for project approvals is critical to achieve our housing, economic development, and renewable energy goals. The governor’s proposal to exempt housing projects from SEQRA and install a two year cap for review is an important and necessary first step to help support New York’s business climate. These initiatives will help reduce project costs, create predictability in the permitting approval process, and create economic opportunity across the state.”

New York State Association of Counties Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario said, “Counties across New York State recognize that the State Environmental Quality Review Act plays an important role in protecting our natural resources and communities, but we also know that the current SEQR process can be overly complex, time-consuming, and costly — often delaying housing and infrastructure projects that have little or no environmental impact. We welcome the Governor’s review of the SEQR framework and look forward to working with her and the Legislature to modernize the process in a way that preserves strong environmental protections while allowing counties and municipalities to deliver the housing and infrastructure New Yorkers urgently need.”

Westchester County Association President & CEO Michael N. Romita said, “Governor Hochul’s SEQRA reforms are a very important step toward addressing the state’s critical housing shortage. Notwithstanding its noble underpinnings, over the past half century, SERQRA has become increasingly abused by overuse and modernization is overdue. These reforms do not override local control, and they don’t require communities to change their zoning. Rather, they empower local officials to meet today’s needs.”

Long Island Association President & CEO Matt Cohen said, “Red tape and overregulation stifles innovation and hinders sorely needed projects that contribute to economic growth. The LIA commends the Governor’s proposal to streamline environmental reviews for new housing, which would go a long way to addressing our existential cost-of-living crisis on Long Island.”

Adirondack Association of Towns and Villages President, Essex County Chair of Board of Legislators, and Minerva Town Supervisor Steve McNally said, “Although it’s not going to be the silver bullet for the housing crisis, it will certainly expedite things. The Governor is really listening and we appreciate the help she is giving us.”

New York State Business Council President & CEO Heather Mulligan said, “New York’s housing shortage is an ongoing economic concern in all regions of New York State. Modernizing environmental review rules — without hindering protections — can cut years of red tape, lower construction costs, and accelerate the delivery of housing that families and workers can afford. Expediting essential investment projects — will support job creation, community growth, and help make New York more competitive.”

Rockland Business Association CEO Jeffrey Greenberg said, “Governor Hochul’s proposal to cut red tape and modernize permitting is a smart, common-sense step for New York. By streamlining outdated processes while preserving environmental protections and public input, these reforms will help Rockland move critical projects forward faster and at a lower cost while simultaneously supporting economic growth across New York State.”

Westchester Business Council Vice President John Ravits said, “The BCW has always advocated for SEQR Reform. Governor Hochul’s proposal to streamline New York’s permitting and environmental review process is a practical step toward helping communities get projects built more efficiently. By reducing unnecessary delays while maintaining strong environmental safeguards and public engagement, these reforms will lower costs, improve timelines, and support the housing, infrastructure, and economic development projects our region needs.”

New York State Builders Association President Peter Florey said, “It is important that we get back to the original intent of the SEQR process which was to protect our environment. SEQR was not intended to be used as a means of slowing or preventing much needed housing production. Governor Hochul's meaningful recommendations will go a long way towards ensuring that SEQR is used to help housing production and affordability while also safeguarding our environment.”

Enterprise Community Partners Senior Vice President of Programs Baaba Halm said, “When it comes to delivering affordable housing, every second counts. Too often, SEQR creates lengthy, costly, and sometimes insurmountable barriers to affordable housing projects. Enterprise applauds Governor Hochul for recognizing sensible SEQR reform as a way to accelerate the delivery of the affordable homes that New Yorkers so desperately need."

Real Estate Board of New York Executive Vice President of Public Policy Basha Gerhards said, “The Governor’s thoughtful reforms to SEQRA will accelerate new housing production and save significant time and money. We applaud the administration for identifying a solution to streamline this process while protecting the opportunity for local review.”

The Building & Realty Institute of the Hudson Valley CEO Tim Foley said, “"We know that good housing policy and good climate policy go hand in hand, and that well-designed, energy-efficient infill housing that repurposes already-developed sites can help solve our housing shortage and reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the same time. Too often the very projects that would be a net benefit for the environment and the community get ensnared in lengthy, unpredictable, and costly environmental reviews and challenges. We applaud Governor Hochul's leadership in proposing a way to clear these logjams and create incentives for the kind of mildly-dense, sustainably-built housing we need to secure an affordable New York for all who wish to live and work here."

Long Island Builders Institute CEO Mike Florio said, “New York’s housing shortage is a crisis that demands action, and Governor Hochul’s proposed reforms to SEQRA are a critical step in the right direction. SEQRA was never intended to be a tool to delay or block much-needed housing for years at a time. Modernizing the review process while maintaining strong environmental protections will help communities add housing faster, reduce costs for families, and support smart, responsible growth across Long Island and New York State.”

Capital Region Chamber and Center for Economic Growth President and CEO Mark Eagan said, “Faced with so much red tape, it can be daunting to do business in New York State. This proposal is a concrete example of Governor Hochul listening to our call to make New York State more competitive. It will allow developers the ability to build more housing thereby addressing the affordability crisis.”

Orange County Partnership Center for Economic Development President & CEO Conor Eckert said, "By modernizing SEQRA, New York can work together to advance job-creating economic development projects more efficiently while maintaining strong environmental protections. These reforms will help attract investment, strengthen regional economies, and ensure communities across the state can grow and thrive. We thank Governor Hochul for her leadership on this issue.”

Long Island Housing Services Executive Director Ian Wilder said, “On Long Island, SEQRA has long been an essential tool for protecting our drinking water, open space, and air quality, and those protections must remain strong. At the same time, a small number of bad-faith challenges have abused the statute to delay or derail lawful, environmentally responsible housing — particularly infill development, code-compliant homes with appropriate sewage systems, and accessory dwelling units. Thoughtful SEQRA reform restores balance. It preserves meaningful environmental review while reducing misuse that has worsened traffic congestion and fueled sprawl that puts greater strain on groundwater and infrastructure. On an island with limited land and a severe housing shortage, smart, compact housing is not in conflict with environmental protection — it is one of the most effective ways to achieve it.”

Central New York Fair Housing Executive Director Sally Santangelo said, “Fair housing flourishes in communities that support housing diversity, walkability, and public transportation. CNY Fair Housing supports SEQR reform that updates this important environmental protection to foster inclusive and sustainable growth in order to expand housing opportunities for all people in New York State.”

Win President and CEO Christine C. Quinn said, “There are more children in homeless shelters in NYC than seats in Yankee Stadium. If we are going to end the homelessness crisis, we need to do everything we can to speed up the development of affordable housing. I applaud Governor Hochul for finding ways to cut red tape and accelerate the building of more housing for New Yorkers in desperate need.”