New York has a critical housing shortage, which the state government can help address — at no cost to the taxpayer — by passing the Faith-Based Affordable Housing Act. This legislation would provide a fast track for religious institutions to build housing on their own land, bypassing local zonin g restrictions so long as developments fit the context of the surrounding community. This legislation would permit religious organizations to develop mixed income and 100% affordable housing, with or without government subsidies. At a moment when it appears that there will be cutbacks in federal funding for housing, New York must tap every resource we can muster to address our housing crisis. Many religious organizations have parking lots, empty buildings, and land that is underutilized. While they may be willing to redevelop these properties for a community purpose, the high cost and complexity of the land use process required to turn these sites into affordable housing will often exceed their resources. The intention of this act is to simplify, accelerate, and reduce the cost of development when the objective is to produce badly needed housing units. It is estimated that the act could allow upward of 60,000 new homes to be produced across the state. This would result in thousands of new jobs and, ultimately, put property that has been historically tax-exempt back on the tax rolls. In the 1980s, faith-based organizations were prime movers in rebuilding New York City’s burned-out neighborhoods. Tens of thousands of affordable homes and apartments were built in less than a decade under the auspices of Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement, the Malcolm Shabazz Mosque, Abyssinian Development Corp., East Brooklyn and South Bronx Churches, Catholic Charities, ODA of Williamsburg, Allen AME Cathedral in Queens, and many more. During the height of that urban crisis, religious institutions leveraged their property and community credibility to participate in the largest affordable housing development initiative in the nation’s history. They led the renaissance of New York City neighborhoods. Today, across New York State, this model can be replicated if the tools are put in place to allow it to happen. Passage of the Faith-Based Affordable Housing Act is important not only to New York City but also to its suburbs and upstate communities, where exclusionary zoning has driven up the cost of homes and limited housing options for both young people and retirees. New Yorkers overwhelmingly support this solution. Polling from Global Strategy Group shows that 75% of residents — across party lines and geographic regions — favor the Faith-Based Affordable Housing Act. The real threat to community character isn’t new housing — it’s losing neighbors who can no longer afford to stay and 72% report having friends or family forced to leave the state due to high housing costs. For those concerned about neighborhood changes, the bill includes important safeguards on height and density to ensure new homes blend seamlessly with existing communities. Religious institutions, with their deep local roots and community trust, are uniquely positioned to create housing that respects neighborhood character while addressing urgent needs. The spirit of this legislation compliments the important action the City Council recently took to pass the “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity,” which updated the city’s zoning code and removed obsolete restrictions on residential development. It is also consistent with the focus of the Charter Revision Commission which is currently considering possible amendments to the New York City Charter that would help to streamline development in a city where time, and the associated carrying costs and risks, are the biggest contributor to the high costs of building new housing. This legislation is important to the state’s overall economy, since the lack of affordable housing is making it more difficult for employers to recruit and retain talent. While the Long Island and northern suburbs were once a safety valve for city workers looking for affordable housing, the price and availability of affordable units now forecloses that option. The housing shortage is the primary factor making New York the state with the greatest population loss, costing New York congressional seats as well as economic losses. As we demonstrated in the 1980s, local religious institutions hold the trust of their communities. They can generate grass roots, self-help initiatives that leverage public and private resources far better than government or private developers can do on their own. New York’s housing crisis demands immediate action, and the Faith-Based Affordable Housing Act is an easy win. Gov. Hochul and legislative leaders should prioritize passing this bill to unlock housing and keep New York’s economy strong. Wylde is the president and CEO of the Partnership for New York City. ...read more read less