The New York Neighbors Coalition, a broad, statewide alliance of pro-homes advocates committed to expanding housing opportunities for all, is proud to support the Sustainable Affordable Housing and Sprawl Prevention Act (S3492 / A6283). This legislation represents a critical step toward addressing New York’s housing crisis while advancing sustainable land use.
Our state faces an urgent shortage of affordable housing. While environmental review is an important tool for assessing environmental impacts, too often, the existing permitting and review process through SEQR delays or derails responsible infill housing projects, even in areas that are already developed and well-served by infrastructure and transit. These delays not only stall much-needed housing but also incentivize sprawl, pushing new development into open space and environmentally sensitive areas.
The Sustainable Affordable Housing and Sprawl Prevention Act offers a smart, targeted reform by streamlining environmental review for infill housing in already developed areas, while maintaining environmental protections for key resources like drinking water, wetlands, and air quality. In doing so, it enables the creation of walkable, transit-friendly neighborhoods that reduce carbon emissions, improve quality of life, and foster long-term sustainability.
By establishing a clear and predictable review process for infill development, the legislation will lower barriers to affordable housing construction, speed up project timelines and reduce project costs. This legislation also ensures high standards of environmental building performance through certification requirements, helping New York build greener and more resilient homes.
We urge the Legislature to take action and pass the Sustainable Affordable Housing and Sprawl Prevention Act swiftly. This is the kind of forward-thinking policy that New York needs to address our housing and climate crises while supporting smart growth for our communities.
New York Neighbors Coalition Members:
American Institute of Architects New York Chapter (AIANY)
Anti-Discrimination Center
Asset Funders Network
Better Housing for Tompkins County
Builders Patch
Catholic Homes New York
Catskill Center
Citizens Budget Commission
Citizens Housing and Planning Council
City of Kingston
CNY Fair Housing
Community Development Long Island
East End YIMBY
Enterprise Community Partners
ERASE Racism
Fair Housing Justice Center, Inc.
Galvan Foundation
Habitat for Humanity NYC and Westchester Habitat for Humanity of New York State
Habitat for Humanity of Tompkins and Cortland Counties
Home HeadQuarters
Housing Assistance Program of Essex County
Housing Help Inc.
Hudson River Housing
Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc.
Lantern Organization
Local Initiatives Support Coalition NY (LISC)
Long Island Housing Coalition
Long Island Housing Services
Minority Millennials
Neighborworks Community Partners
Neighborhood Preservation Coalition of New York State, Inc. (NPCNYS)
New York Building Congress
New York Housing Conference
New York League of Conservation Voters
New York State Builders Association
New York State Council of Churches (NYSCOC)
Niskanen Center
Nonprofit Westchester
Open New York Partnership for NYC
Pointe of Praise Family Life Center
Regional Plan Association
Riders Alliance
RiseBoro Community Partnership
RUPCO
Rural Housing Coalition
Supportive Housing Network of New York
The Community Preservation Corporation
Transportation Alternatives
Tri-State Transportation Campaign
Up for Growth
Welcome Home Westchester Campaign
Win NYC
Westchester County Association
