With unveiling of proposal, looks like there's hope for a serious housing debate in Albany: A recent plan from a pair of state lawmakers shows the Legislature is at least taking more ownership over the issue this year.

State lawmakers in Albany have unveiled an ambitious housing proposal that aims to address New York's affordable housing crisis. The plan involves the creation of a $5 billion state-run Social Housing Development Authority that would build, buy, and renovate permanently affordable housing using union labor. Supporters believe it could create 26,000 affordable homes across the state and eliminate the need for tax breaks to incentivize private developers. However, opponents argue that the plan would essentially replicate the troubled public housing authority on a statewide level. While the proposal is unlikely to pass in its current form, its existence signals that the Legislature is taking more ownership of the issue. Governor Kathy Hochul, who has aligned with business interests, is unlikely to support the plan. Nevertheless, the proposal represents a departure from the Legislature's previous approach of rejecting Hochul's housing proposals. The pressure to address the affordable housing crisis is increasing, and the existence of different ideas for debate is seen as a positive development. [Extracted from the article]