Long Island Leaders and Elected Officials Address New York's Housing Crisis Following Governor Hochul's Patchogue Visit to Highlight New York Housing Compact

Governor Kathy Hochul highlights Long Island Budget Investments and urgency of New York Housing Compact in Patchogue. (Darren McGee/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul)

Governor Kathy Hochul on Thursday, Marc 2nd, toured Patchogue in Suffolk County, Long Island with local leaders and elected officials to highlight key components of the New York Housing Compact — the Governor's 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 broad support for the Governor's vision to make New York more livable, more accessible, and more affordable.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said, "Long Island is well positioned for sustainable economic growth that will help protect property values and curb tax increases, thanks to the Governor's investment in our region's transportation and innovation assets. The single greatest threat to this economic prosperity is the housing crisis and I applaud Governor Hochul for taking this issue head on. The Governor has put forward a plan that will incentivize local municipalities to work closely with the state to address an issue that is critical to our economic future."

Village of Patchogue Mayor Paul Pontieri said, "Housing costs are issues many Long Islanders face. Here in Patchogue, we have done a lot to address the housing crisis on Long Island and have built mixed-use workforce housing so that our young adults and seniors can stay here while participating in our local economy. I had the pleasure to show the Governor how density and design go hand-in-hand and look forward to working with her administration in making sure our communities are able to address the housing crisis with the tools they need to implement change."

Renter and Patchogue Resident, Tracy Todd Hunter said, "Affordable housing on Long Island is an urgent necessity.  Our youth, seniors, single head of households, veterans, people with disabilities are in dire need of affordable domains. Currently graduating college students who are ready to join Long Island's workforce cannot rent an apartment or own a home due to the high costs of housing that doesn't align with their salaries. Their options are minimal. Either they live at home with their parents, seek out roommates or work multiple jobs in order to earn enough to maintain a roof over their head. Recently retired seniors have to think strategically as well.  Many seniors continue to work well into their 70's because their choices are slighted, and they prefer not to give up their independence by selling a home that was the haven for family gatherings and where sentimental, lasting memories were made. Some have to move in with a child/relative or they have to move to a state where housing is cheaper and they're able to enjoy their golden years as opposed to worrying about not paying Peter in order to pay Paul. No senior should ever feel insecure and deal with stressors the likes of whether they're going to have a roof over their head after working all of their lives."

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