New York Construction Report staff writer
Governor Kathy Hochul has outlined a new series of reforms aimed at cutting red tape and accelerating the construction of housing and critical infrastructure across New York State. Dubbed the “Let Them Build” agenda, the initiative focuses on streamlining the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) and expediting projects that have consistently shown minimal environmental impact.
“For too long, red tape has stood in the way of communities building the housing and infrastructure that New Yorkers desperately need,” Hochul said in a statement. “That’s why this year, I proposed that when a community says yes to housing and to critical infrastructure like clean water and childcare facilities, we are going to let them build. New York has always been a state that builds, and with these reforms, we can recapture that ambition, making it easier and more affordable to build while preserving essential environmental protections.”
She emphasized that New York projects take significantly longer than in peer states, with delays driving up costs. Studies show that duplicative environmental review can add an average of two years and hundreds of thousands of dollars to housing projects, inflating construction costs and limiting affordable housing availability. Under the proposed reforms, certain housing projects that pose no significant environmental risks would be exempt from SEQRA review while still meeting state regulatory standards for air, water, and natural resource protections.
The “Let Them Build” agenda also targets infrastructure projects, proposing exemptions from additional SEQRA review for clean water systems, green infrastructure, public parks and trails, and child care centers — provided they are sited on previously disturbed areas to safeguard natural lands. The reforms aim to accelerate timelines, modernize permitting processes, and improve predictability for local communities and project sponsors.
Hochul held a roundtable with leaders from across the state, including Yadira Ramos-Herbert, Mayor of New Rochelle; Stephen Acquario, Executive Director of the New York State Association of Counties; Chris Brown, Housing Development Coordinator for Columbia Economic Development Corporation; and Carlina Rivera, President and CEO of the New York State Association for Affordable Housing, to discuss the reforms’ potential impact.
By cutting delays and lowering costs, the Governor said the initiative will help communities build more housing and infrastructure quickly and sustainably, addressing New York’s housing crisis while protecting the environment.
The proposal also includes plans for a new permitting academy to support local communities and ensure projects are reviewed efficiently and responsibly, making it easier for New Yorkers to access affordable housing, child care, and critical public infrastructure.
