Hochul Takes on Corporate Greed Driving Up NY Housing Costs for Families

New York families face a housing crisis that feels relentless. Soaring rents and unreachable home prices push too many toward instability. Governor Kathy Hochul’s FY 2026 Budget confronts this head-on with over $500 million in new funding, showing what bold leadership can do to protect people over profits.

In Syracuse, Micron’s semiconductor project will bring 50,000 jobs, but without enough homes, workers risk being priced out. Hochul’s plan pours money into infrastructure, starter homes, and vouchers to ensure this economic boom lifts everyone. A thriving community shouldn’t leave its people behind.

Corporate investors worsen the problem, snapping up homes and driving up costs. Hochul’s budget takes a stand, prioritizing families over Wall Street. Why should hardworking New Yorkers lose their chance at a home because of unchecked greed?

Hochul’s $100 million Pro-Housing Supply Fund rewards places like Syracuse for embracing housing growth. With 300 communities certified as Pro-Housing, this fund fuels projects like sewer and water upgrades that make new homes possible. It’s a practical step toward stronger neighborhoods.

Smaller towns often lack resources to reform zoning or plan for growth. Hochul’s $5.25 million in technical assistance changes that, helping local leaders create inclusive communities. This is government working for people, ensuring families have places to call home.

Some defend restrictive zoning, claiming it protects local identity. But research shows these rules inflate costs by up to 40 percent, often excluding young families and people of color. Why cling to policies that harm the very communities they claim to preserve?

The $50 million Housing Access Voucher Program targets families earning half the area’s median income, offering a lifeline to those at risk of homelessness. Studies prove vouchers work, cutting homelessness risk by 22.4 percent and improving health and education. Why not double down on what delivers results?

Hochul also invests $50 million in starter homes, promoting smaller, affordable builds like modular housing. Today’s oversized homes shut out young buyers and seniors looking to downsize. This plan makes homeownership a reality again, meeting families where they are.

Critics argue subsidies skew markets, rewarding dependency. But when home prices in Central New York spike 15 percent due to job growth, markets aren’t fair. Hochul’s policies ensure economic gains benefit workers, not just the wealthy.

Hochul’s crackdown on institutional investors is a bold move. With private equity firms owning over 500,000 homes nationwide and eyeing 40 percent of single-family rentals by 2030, her laws impose a 90-day waiting period for these firms to bid on smaller homes, giving families a fair shot.

These policies also block tax breaks for corporate buyers, redirecting benefits to everyday people. When corporations dominate housing, prices soar, and communities suffer. Historical booms in places like San Diego show investor activity fuels unaffordability. Why let profits trump people?

Some say this meddles with markets. But markets aren’t free when firms outbid families. Hochul’s laws protect the dream of homeownership, ensuring it remains within reach for those who need it most.

Hochul’s budget fights appraisal bias, a barrier that has long cheated families of color out of fair home values. New laws treat discriminatory appraisals as human rights violations, with fines funding fair housing efforts. This continues decades of work to undo redlining’s harm.

With $50 million for storm recovery and $40 million to prevent foreclosures, Hochul prioritizes resilience and stability. These efforts protect families from fraud and disaster, reinforcing housing as a foundation for equity.

Hochul’s $25 billion plan to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes is a strong start, but the crisis demands more. Every New Yorker deserves a safe, affordable home. Isn’t that the bedrock of a fair society?