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Lawmakers back $250M Housing Access Vouchers, discuss upgrades for NYCHA and Mitchell‑Lama
Summary
Assembly and Senate negotiators highlighted housing investments in the one-house budgets, including a $250 million Housing Access Voucher proposal, additional aid for NYCHA and Mitchell‑Lama developments, and limits on property tax treatment for certain subsidized housing.
Lawmakers from both houses made housing a central budget priority during the joint three-way negotiations kickoff, emphasizing rental assistance, public housing repairs and protections for subsidized housing residents.
Assembly Housing Chair Linda Rosenthal said both the Assembly and the Senate included $250,000,000 for a Housing Access Voucher Program modeled on Section 8 to aid people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Rosenthal also noted the Assembly accepted the executive proposal to cap property taxes for Mitchell‑Lama developments at no more than 5% of annual shelter rent, with a local-option provision outside New York City.
Rosenthal told the joint panel that the Assembly directed funds toward NYCHA and Mitchell‑Lama repairs and maintenance. She said the measures are intended to address mold, asbestos and vacant units to return housing to service.
Senate ranker Jack Martens raised concerns about long-term program targeting and means-testing: he warned that some units created for lower-income tenants have, over time, been occupied by households earning 150%–200% of area median income, reducing availability for the neediest renters. He urged stricter means testing and program design that prevents units from drifting out of their intended affordability bands.
The session did not include votes; lawmakers said details remain under negotiation with the governor’s office. Legislators also referenced capital programs outside the rental voucher discussion — including block-by-block infill in upstate regions and funding for land banks — but did not finalize language or allocations.
