FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 27, 2026

Governor Hochul Signs SEQRA Reform, Aiding & Fast-tracking Construction of Housing Up to 300 Units for Cities like Kingston

KINGSTON, NY – Mayor Steven T. Noble is pleased to announce that Governor Hochul has signed a key component of the New York State FY27 budget, which includes a sweeping set of SEQRA reforms that cut red tape and remove duplicative environmental reviews for housing and critical infrastructure.

The Enacted Budget includes significant reforms of the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), modernizing the law to expedite projects that meet criteria that ensure they have no significant environmental impacts and to let localities build much-needed housing and infrastructure. For urbanized areas outside of New York City like the City of Kingston, this reform will help cut costs and speed construction for qualifying housing up to 300 units.

Mayor Noble said, “I am thrilled to see this legislation pass, which will help Kingston reach our housing goals more effectively and efficiently. With this bold action by the Governor, we are, for the first time, seeing SEQRA reform that doesn’t compromise environmental protections. In Kingston, we have been using every available tool to build housing and spur smart, equitable development while up against high interest rates, limited space, and a sometimes-tedious review process. This new SEQRA process will help eliminate red tape and help us get housing built for our community – at every level. I want to thank our State Senate and Assembly partners for not only helping pass this legislation, but allowing for even more housing units than originally proposed, so that now all housing projects under 300 units can be built more expediently in Kingston.”

“Red tape and duplicative reviews have stopped New York from doing the very building that made us the envy of the world, making our housing more expensive and our infrastructure outdated – that ends today,” Governor Hochul said. “By removing these barriers and empowering communities across the state, we are working to drive down costs of critical housing and infrastructure and sending a simple message: now is the time to build.”

The reform will increase affordability by fast-tracking housing and infrastructure projects that will not harm the environment, making it easier to build vital projects while continuing to protect the environment and conserve natural resources. Until now, housing and infrastructure projects could take as much as 56% longer in New York State to get from concept to groundbreaking compared to peer states.

“We know that in Kingston and in other urban communities across New York State, this targeted reform will accelerate the housing approval process and help deliver desperately needed homes faster. I commend New York State for acting with urgency to pass this landmark reform package, which will help make housing more affordable in Kingston and throughout New York,” said Bartek Starodaj, Director of Housing initiatives. 

Previously, SEQRA review timelines varied greatly across projects, creating unpredictability, which can contribute to significant project delays and add substantial costs to project budgets. To create additional accountability for local communities and project sponsors, the bill establishes a two-year timeline to complete an environmental impact statement, creating clear project schedules and faster decisions.

Applicable housing projects must be on previously disturbed land and connected to existing water and sewer systems. The law does not supersede environmental requirements, permitting, or local zoning.

In addition to housing, the legislation adds SEQRA exemptions for critical categories of projects, including clean water infrastructure, public parks and trails, green infrastructure, and public schools within NYC.

Mayor Noble continued, “These additional exemptions for park and infrastructure projects will also provide great benefit to the City of Kingston, in helping us move our vital projects forward. I want to again thank Governor Hochul for prioritizing these necessary improvements in the SEQRA reform.”

Read the Governor’s full announcement here: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/let-them-build-governor-hochul-signs-legislation-delivers-generational-reforms-make-it-easier