Gov. Kathy Hochul is tuning into the public’s mood with acuity, addressing critical issues like affordability and public safety that resonate deeply with New Yorkers. Her State of the State proposals, geared toward tax cuts, bolstering subway safety and enhancing mental health care, demonstrate a keen awareness of the electorate’s immediate concerns as she steers toward re-election. Yet, the real test of her leadership lies not just in reading the room but in utilizing this accrued political capital to champion transformative changes, particularly in housing development.
Hochul’s past advocacy for increasing suburban housing through mandates must not dwindle into mere rhetoric. As she rightly pushes for substantial investments in Metro-North, enhancing transit connectivity, a parallel push for multi-family housing around these transit hubs is essential. The synergy between improved transit and accessible housing could alleviate the pressure on New York City’s inflated rental and housing market, making suburban areas more appealing and affordable for city workers.
However, the governor’s track record shows a cautious approach where bold strides are necessary. The 2023 breakdown in housing negotiations highlighted the delicate dance Hochul faces with suburban lawmakers. Avoiding statewide housing mandates for the second year in a row in her address was perhaps a tactical retreat but must not signal a conclusion. The governor’s $650 million incentive program launched last summer, aimed at sparking suburban development, shows promise yet demands more than just monetary incentives — it requires advocacy from the executive.
Hochul has demonstrated through initiatives like congestion pricing that decisive actions, even those initially unpopular, can cultivate public support and lead to successful outcomes. It’s time she applies the same unyielding determination to resolve the state’s housing crisis. One idea is the MBTA Communities Law that Massachusetts adopted in 2021. It requires cities and towns to allow multi-family housing near public transit with the goal of addressing that state’s housing shortage.
Another possibility would be creating a City of Yes-style plan statewide.
As Hochul harnesses her political capital, she must forge alliances and craft policies that not only address immediate concerns but also lay the groundwork for long-term solutions. The success of her tenure will ultimately be measured not by the applause of today’s speeches but by the sustainability and inclusivity of tomorrow’s neighborhoods. New York doesn’t just need a leader who navigates through crises — it needs a visionary who builds New Yorkers’ futures, one home at a time.
