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Buffalo-area leaders & elected officials endorse Hochul's New York Housing Compact following WNY roundtable

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Wed, Mar 1st 2023 10:15 am

Gov. Kathy Hochul hosted a community roundtable with local leaders and elected officials in Buffalo to discuss the New York Housing Compact – what her team called a “comprehensive strategy announced in the fiscal year 2024 executive budget to address New York's housing crisis and build 800,000 new homes in the next decade.

“Advocates voiced their support for the plan, which builds on the governor's vision to make New York more livable, more accessible, and more affordable.”

Erie County Industrial Development Agency President and CEO John Cappellino said, "Community development must be woven into any successful economic development strategy; the two are inextricably linked. Having an adequate supply of housing that is affordable to our workforce is critical to attracting employers and creating job growth in New York state. The ECIDA is pleased to have a seat at the table in strategizing how to meet the workforce housing goals set in the governor's housing compact."

People Inc. President and CEO Rhonda Frederick said, "As one of the largest providers of affordable housing in Western New York, I commend Gov. Hochul on her detailed housing compact plan. Gov. Hochul has a unique perspective on what is needed to make housing happen at the local level because she was Hamburg Town Board member, and she understands things like zoning and SEQR. All things we worked with her on in the 1990s. It's time the state of the New York have a plan like the governor's, so we can overcome NIMBY issues in our communities and create housing opportunities for more people and in more communities in our great state."

City of Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said, "Gov. Hochul understands that, in order to grow our economy, we need to expand our affordable housing stock. The executive budget prioritizes a needed expansion for housing, which the City of Buffalo looks forward to meeting and exceeding. I also applaud her administration for providing the resources to communities to achieve this critical mission."

City of Buffalo Common Council President Darius Pridgen said, "Gov. Hochul's New York Housing Compact is another step in the right direction towards ensuring that New Yorkers have the ability to continue to live and afford quality housing. I believe that she has heard from the people of Western New York, that we are facing a housing crisis, and this compact is one solution that addresses the need. As an advocate for mixed-income communities and affordable housing, I applaud Gov. Hochul on her proposal, and I know that it will help our less-fortunate and disadvantaged."

Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority Executive Director Gillian Brown said, "As executive director of the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority – NYS's second-largest housing authority – I know all too well what damage results from our state's shortage of housing. I enthusiastically support Gov. Hochul's proposed housing compact, and I look forward to a much-needed increase in Western New York's supply of housing, both affordable and market rate."

City of Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino said, "We appreciate the focus that our governor has placed on making New York more livable and affordable. Her direct impact on a terribly neglected problem in our state is reflective of her bold leadership. Our city welcomes the opportunity to advantage of her efforts to improve our community for all residents."

City of Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist said, "I thank the governor for sitting down with community leaders and explaining her proposal for the New York Housing Compact. This would be a transformational piece of legislation that attempts to tackle housing challenges across the state. I look forward to continuing the discussions with how this proposal can best be implemented in cities like Jamestown."

City of Dunkirk Mayor Willie Rosas said, "Gov. Hochul has presented a bold vision and plan to address the most basic of needs with her New York Housing Compact to meet the crisis level demand for quality, affordable and safe housing in Dunkirk and across the state that will drive our downtown redevelopment and our local economy as our employers compete for workers from neighboring states. Our citizens and businesses always cite more good quality housing as a priority that always rises to the top."

Town of Amherst Supervisor Brian J. Kulpa said, "The governor's housing goal is ambitious but achievable. As municipalities, we need to focus on increasing housing in tandem with increased job opportunities. This is the only way we will grow as a region. I fully support the housing compact, and Amherst is on pace to achieve the three-year, 1% growth within one year. I want to thank the governor for the opportunity to discuss my vision for redeveloping the Boulevard Mall, taking a single-use property and introducing mixed-use, which will include 3,000 housing units. The town's plan also accounts for UB's success and growth in developing a skilled workforce that we want to see remain in Western New York."

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