Proposed SEQRA Changes Spark Debate on Affordable Housing in New York

Advocates and elected officials discuss potential impacts of streamlining environmental review process

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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A roundtable discussion hosted by State Sen. Anthony Palumbo focused on proposed changes to New York's State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), which are part of Gov. Kathy Hochul's efforts to boost housing affordability. Environmental advocates and elected officials expressed concerns that the changes could weaken environmental protections without guaranteeing more affordable housing.

Why it matters

The debate over SEQRA reform highlights the tension between environmental preservation and the need for more affordable housing in New York. Advocates argue that SEQRA is a crucial safeguard, while proponents of the changes believe the law has hindered development. The outcome of this debate could have significant implications for the state's environmental regulations and housing policies.

The details

The proposed SEQRA amendments would dispense with in-depth environmental review for land that has been previously disturbed and raise the threshold for projects requiring review from 3 housing units to 100 units. Environmental advocates, including Bob DeLuca of the Group for the East End and Adrienne Esposito of Citizens Campaign for the Environment, argued that the changes risk weakening transparency and public participation, which are central to SEQRA's purpose. They also disputed the notion that SEQRA is the primary obstacle to affordable housing development, citing issues like lack of infrastructure investment and sewer capacity as more significant factors.

  • The proposed SEQRA amendments are part of Gov. Kathy Hochul's push to streamline development in the name of housing affordability.

The players

Kathy Hochul

The Governor of New York who is proposing the SEQRA amendments as part of her efforts to boost housing affordability.

Bob DeLuca

The president of the Group for the East End, an environmental advocacy organization, who argued that SEQRA's central value is the transparency and public participation it provides.

Adrienne Esposito

The executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment, who said her organization supports looking at ways to 'tweak' or streamline SEQRA but is 'against weakening it.'

Kevin McDonald

A representative from the Nature Conservancy who shared concerns about the proposed SEQRA changes, noting that they do not guarantee addressing the issue of housing affordability.

Dan Panico

The Brookhaven Town Supervisor who argued that the lack of sewer infrastructure, not SEQRA, is the primary obstacle to housing development.

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What they’re saying

“SEQRA 'guarantees transparency, public participation and a hard look,' he said. 'The problem is, when those things don't happen, you can end up with a project that extends forever and ever, and you don't get to the core issues.'”

— Bob DeLuca, President, Group for the East End (RiverheadLOCAL)

“'We reject the whole premise that SEQRA is the reason we don't have affordable housing. That is ridiculous,' Esposito said. 'When SEQRA is used properly, it safeguards our environment. That's the premise and the role of SEQRA, the only law we have that requires a full and thorough environment to review.'”

— Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment (RiverheadLOCAL)

“'The most important consideration for all of it is, there's really no guarantee at all that it actually addresses the so-called affordability issue that is facing so many people on Long Island in terms of entry housing and things like that,' McDonald said.”

— Kevin McDonald, Representative, The Nature Conservancy (RiverheadLOCAL)

“'SEQRA isn't the issue why you have troubles with housing,' Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico said. 'It's the lack of sewer infrastructure.'”

— Dan Panico, Brookhaven Town Supervisor (RiverheadLOCAL)

What’s next

The proposed SEQRA amendments will now go through a rulemaking process that will allow for public input and further discussion about the potential impacts of the changes.

The takeaway

The debate over SEQRA reform highlights the complex balance between environmental protection and the need for more affordable housing in New York. While proponents argue the changes could streamline development, critics warn that weakening SEQRA could have unintended consequences and fail to address the root causes of the housing affordability crisis.