December 2023
Weekly Report for December 29, 2023
NYSAR submits testimony on state’s housing needs at Assembly hearing
On December 18, 2023 NYSAR President John Vernazza submitted written testimony before the State Assembly’s public hearing on “Assessing Housing Needs Across New York State.” The testimony reiterated NYSAR’s support for targeted state funding to grow the state’s housing stock, preserving local control over housing development, creating state tax incentives for commercial to residential conversions, streamlining local permitting and approval processes for new construction, incentivizing the development of ADUs and the legalization of basement apartments, and the establishment of a comprehensive statewide housing plan including the creation of a first-time homebuyer savings account program and statewide housing access voucher program. Read NYSAR’s full testimony here.
Gov. Hochul vetoes campaign finance changes
On December 27, Governor Kathy Hochul vetoed legislation that would have widened the net of eligible campaign contributions for matching public funds under a new system that is being rolled out in the 2024 elections. In her memo, Gov. Hochul said the bill would have reduced the impact of small donors. The bill would have allowed for the first $250 of any contribution to a campaign in an election cycle to be matched by state funding. Read more here.
Gov. Hochl signs LLC Transparency Act
Limited liability companies in New York will be required to report names of their beneficial owners under a new state law signed by Governor Kathy Hochul. Following negotiations on the bill, names of LLC owners will only be accessible by state regulators and law enforcement rather than a public database. According to state lawmakers, the measure is aimed at preventing wage theft and holding accountable landlords who refuse to properly maintain their buildings, among others. Read more here.
NYC Mayor tells City Council he won’t implement housing voucher plan
On Thursday, NYC Social Services Commissioner, Molly Wasow Park, told the City Council that a package of housing voucher bills “cannot be implemented” next month due to “substantial financial, operational and legal issues.” The City Council’s housing legislation, which is estimated to cost $17 billion to implement, will allow New Yorkers facing eviction to apply for vouchers without entering the shelter system, would bar landlords from deducting costs of utility bills from a voucher, and would increase the income level of cutoff to qualify for aid. The legislation is set to go into effect on Jan. 9. Mayor Adams vetoed the legislation in June, however the City Council overrode the veto in July. The issue may now go to the courts. Read more here.
Weekly Report for December 22, 2023
NYC Council passes criminal background check bill that includes NYSAR recommendations
On December 20, the NYC Council passed legislation (Int. 632-A) that would limit a landlord’s ability to reject rental applications based on criminal history, however the final version of the bill included important revisions advocated for by NYSAR to allow owners, managers, brokers, and agents to consider misdemeanor convictions within the past 3 years and felonies within the past 5 years. The bill does not apply to two-family, owner-occupied housing or rooms in owner-occupied single-family housing and provides clear indemnification language for property owners, managers, brokers, and agents who comply with the provisions of the bill.
NYSAR was heavily engaged on this issue, expressing our concerns with the original bill through formal testimony before the city council and holding dozens of individual meetings between REALTORS® and members of the council. NYC Mayor Eric Adams is expected to sign the bill into law with an effective date of January 1, 2025. NYSAR will provide further information on the implementation of the measure. Read more here.
NYC buildings department finalizes rules before 2024 climate law goes into effect
On December 18, the NYC Buildings Department released finalized rules for the implementation of Local Law 97, which aims to reduce the use of natural gas and other fossil fuels in buildings over 25,000 square feet beginning in January 2024 and stricter limits by 2030. NYC building owners will be required to submit yearly reports on their building emissions beginning May 1, 2025. The new rule, however, provides private building owners a two-year reprieve from fines if they create plans that show a “good faith effort” toward decarbonization. Read more here.
New York continues to lead nation in population loss
According to an updated estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau released this week, New York State continues to lead the nation in population loss, losing 101,984 people over the last year. Population loss has a wide range of impacts including potential revenue loss and possible loss of additional U.S. House seats. New York lost one House seat in 2022 and could lose up to 3 seats by 2030 if the current rate of population decline continues.
Weekly Report for December 15, 2023
NYSAR meets with NYC officials on broker compensation when dealing with government vouchers
On December 8, NYSAR met with New York City government officials to discuss issues that members have raised regarding broker compensation when working with tenants using government vouchers. Officials from the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), the Department of Social Services (DSS) and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Housing were present. Among the issues discussed were establishing a point person or case manager for each tenant applicant, simplifying and expediting the certification process for real estate licensees to receive payment, and advocating for increased funding for Section 8 and other voucher programs in order to ensure licensees are compensated adequately. City officials in the meeting were receptive to our recommendations for improving the timeliness and adequacy of compensation by their agencies.
New York’s top court orders new House district lines
On Tuesday, New York’s highest court, the Court of Appeals, ordered the redrawing of congressional lines in 2024 following a Democratic-backed lawsuit. In a 4-3 decision, the court ordered a bipartisan commission which deadlocked last year to reconvene and produce new draft plans by the end of February. The State Legislature must then vote on the new maps, and if voted down, legislators would have the power to draw the maps themselves. There are currently 15 Democrats and 11 Republicans in the state’s congressional delegation with a primary election set for June 25, 2024. Read more here.
Gov. Hochul announces funding to rehab Single Room Occupancy (SRO) units
On December 12, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that up to $50 million has been made available to help preserve up to 500 Single Room Occupancy (SRO) apartments across New York State. SRO units are typically rented as one room that also contains a sink and stove with access to a shared bathroom in the public corridor of the building. The funding, available through New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), will be used for preservation projects that rehabilitate SRO units to bring them into a state of good repair and add private bathrooms to these units where possible. Details about HCR’s Supportive Housing Program and SRO preservation can be found online here.
NYC Mayor signs “Fair Housing Framework” legislation
On December 13, New York City Mayor Eric Adams signed into law legislation (Int.1031-A) establishing a “Fair Housing Framework” which requires the city’s departments of Housing, Preservation and Development (HPD) and City Planning (DCP) to produce an assessment of long-term citywide housing needs, five-year housing production targets for each of the city’s 59 community districts, and a strategic equity framework that will report on the obstacles and strategies for achieving them. Read more here.
Weekly Report for December 8, 2023
NYSAR and HGAR launch campaign opposing rent control in City of Newburgh
This week, NYSAR and the Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS® launched a consumer and REALTOR®-targeted campaign urging the Newburgh City Council and mayor to oppose a measure that would impose local rent control throughout the city. The City Council has scheduled a public hearing for December 11, 2023. On that day or any day following, the council could decide to declare a housing emergency and enact local rent control laws under the state’s Emergency Tenant Protection Act of 2019.
All residents of the City of Newburgh can Take Action from now until December 11 to tell the City Council and Mayor to oppose rent control.
REALTORS® can Take Action here.
Consumers can Take Action here.
Democrats nominate Suozzi to run in special election for Congress
On Tuesday, Governor Kathy Hochul declared a special election to be held on February 13 to fill NY’s 3rd Congressional District seat to replace expelled Rep. George Santos. On Thursday, county party leaders selected former Rep. Tom Suozzi to be the Democratic nominee to run in that special election. Republicans are expected to announce their candidate in the coming days. Read more here.
George Latimer announces run for Congress challenging Rep. Jamaal Bowman
On Wednesday, Westchester County Executive George Latimer announced he is running for Congress in the 16thCongressional District, which is currently held by Rep. Jamaal Bowman. This sets the stage for a potential Democratic primary next year. Read more here.
Weekly Report for December 1, 2023
Governor Hochul drops housing growth mandates in 2024 agenda
Governor Hochul has said she will not pursue legislation mandating housing growth targets across the state when releasing her 2024 agenda in January. The proposal was the centerpiece of her “New York Housing Compact,” which she outlined at the start of 2023. Housing policy is still expected to remain part of the governor’s 2024 agenda to support her pledge to build 800,000 new housing units over the next decade, including a push for a replacement to the expired 421-a affordable housing tax abatement program. Read more here.
Lawmakers continue to urge passage of “NY HEAT” Act
Backers of a measure to begin phasing out the state’s gas system are continuing to pressure Gov. Kathy Hochul to include the bill in her executive budget. More than 90 local elected officials sent a letter to the governor backing “NY HEAT” on Wednesday. The legislation would cap energy bills for low-income customers at 6 percent of their income, end subsidies for new gas hookups, end gas utilities’ obligation to serve new customers and set up a pathway to electrify entire neighborhoods.
Rep. Santos expelled; Special Election to be held
On Friday, the U.S. House voted to expel Rep. George Santos. Gov. Kathy Hochul now has 10 days to schedule a special election, which will likely take place in February of next year. County party officials will also announce their candidates to run in a special election soon. Read more here.