Hochul Proposes Reforms to Speed Up Housing and Infrastructure Projects

The governor's plan aims to cut red tape and bureaucratic delays that have slowed down critical developments in New York

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced a series of reforms to New York's Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) in an effort to accelerate housing and infrastructure projects across the state. The proposed changes would exempt certain housing developments with no significant environmental impacts from additional review, set clear timelines for environmental impact statements, streamline the review process, and modernize the state's permitting system. Hochul says the reforms could help produce up to 500 new housing units in medium- and high-density areas of New York City alone.

Why it matters

New York's lengthy environmental review process has long been a major obstacle to new housing and infrastructure development, driving up costs and delaying critical projects. Hochul's reforms aim to address the state's housing crisis and make it easier to build the affordable homes, clean water systems, child care centers, and parks that communities need.

The details

Hochul's proposal would amend SEQRA to exempt housing projects with no significant environmental impacts from additional review, while still requiring compliance with state regulations related to water use, air quality, environmental justice, and natural resource protection. The plan would also set clear timelines for environmental impact statements, streamline the review process, modernize the state's permitting system, and support local communities through a new permitting academy. According to Hochul, these measures could cut the two-year review process for affordable housing projects by 75%, reducing it to just six months.

  • Hochul announced the proposed reforms on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.

The players

Gov. Kathy Hochul

The governor of New York who unveiled the proposed reforms to the state's environmental laws.

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City who joined Hochul to celebrate the proposal, highlighting how it could help address the city's housing crisis.

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What they’re saying

“For far too long needless, outdated red tape has stood in the way of the housing and infrastructure that New Yorkers need to address the housing crisis and make life more affordable in communities across our state.”

— Gov. Kathy Hochul (6sqft.com)

“This is a city that moves a mile a minute; things change overnight. But it takes 730 nights just to get an affordable housing project reviewed. This glacial pace takes a toll on our city and the people who call it home.”

— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City (6sqft.com)

What’s next

The proposed reforms to SEQRA will need to be approved by the state legislature before they can be implemented.

The takeaway

Hochul's plan to reform New York's environmental review process could significantly speed up the development of much-needed housing and infrastructure projects, helping to address the state's affordability and housing supply challenges.