Governor Kathy Hochul has intensified her campaign to overhaul New York’s environmental review process, rallying local leaders behind her “Let Them Build” agenda — a package of reforms designed to accelerate housing and infrastructure projects while maintaining environmental safeguards.
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The initiative, unveiled as part of the Governor’s 2026 State of the State, proposes significant changes to the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA). Support for the plan has grown to include major municipal organizations such as the New York State Association of Counties, the Association of Towns, and the Conference of Mayors, along with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and dozens of local officials statewide.
“For far too long needless, outdated red tape has stood in the way of the housing and infrastructure that New Yorkers need to address the housing crisis and make life more affordable in communities across our state,” Governor Hochul said. “New York is a place defined by our boundless ambition — we are a state that builds. It is time that we cut the red tape that too often slows down projects and let communities build, so we can offer all New Yorkers the more affordable and livable state that they deserve and attract new residents who want to call New York home.”
State officials say New York projects can take up to 56 percent longer to reach groundbreaking than in peer states. According to the Citizens Budget Commission, regulatory delays can add up to $82,000 per housing unit in New York City alone, worsening an already severe affordability crisis.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani echoed that urgency:
“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. 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.”
County and municipal leaders also expressed support. Stephen J. Acquario of NYSAC 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.”
Barbara Van Epps of NYCOM added,
“SEQRA was designed to protect the environment, but it has too often been used to delay or block projects that would deliver clear environmental and community benefits.”
Under the proposal, certain housing developments shown to have no significant environmental impact would be exempt from additional SEQRA review. These projects would still need to comply with water, air quality, and environmental justice regulations and must be located outside flood-risk zones.
The Governor also seeks to fast-track infrastructure such as:
To create predictability, the plan would establish clear timelines for environmental impact statements, modernize permitting through digital tools, and create a state “permitting academy” to help local governments navigate the process.
Local leaders from across the state praised the balance between development and conservation.
City of New Rochelle Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert said,
“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.”
Peekskill Mayor Vivian McKenzie noted,
“These reforms respect environmental protections while giving cities and towns the tools we need to plan, build, and grow responsibly.”
From Buffalo, Mayor Sean Ryan added,
“This will cut unnecessary red tape that drives up costs and delays projects people already support — all while preserving the environmental safeguards New Yorkers have come to expect.”
The reforms build on Hochul’s $25-billion housing plan to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes, including 10,000 with supportive services. State officials say environmental reviews often delay projects by two years or more, adding hundreds of thousands in costs.
RuthAnne Visnauskas, Commissioner of Homes and Community Renewal, called the proposal transformative:
“The changes and modernization that the Governor is proposing will reduce the time it takes to get shovels in the ground by more than fifty percent while continuing to preserve and protect our natural resources.”
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Environmental Commissioner Amanda Lefton added,
“Common-sense reforms to SEQRA will speed up the delivery of zoned and permitted affordable housing and other critical infrastructure projects that New Yorkers need.”
Business and labor groups also voiced approval. SEIU 32BJ President Manny Pastreich said,
“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.”
The initiative is part of the Governor’s broader effort to make New York more affordable and competitive. By aligning environmental review with modern development realities, the administration aims to unlock stalled projects, reduce rents, and accelerate clean infrastructure without sacrificing ecological standards.
“It is time that we cut the red tape that too often slows down projects and let communities build,” Governor Hochul said, reiterating the central message of her agenda.
Originally reported by Governor New York Government.
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