Government & Regulatory Affairs

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

The New York State Builders Association (NYSBA) membership of almost 3,000 homebuilding and associated business work to promote the homebuilding industry and its ability to provide quality housing to New Yorkers of all incomes.

NYSBA has again made affordable housing one of our top priorities for 2010. But we are greatly concerned that there are mixed messages coming from Albany today. In one breath we hear of the need to create affordable housing, and in the next we hear of government-imposed mandates that are driving up costs. On Monday the newspapers tell of requirements for new Green Building and Smart Growth standards; but on Tuesday the legislators complain of runaway costs threatening important projects…as if the two are not related.

State and local governments need to understand that higher regulatory costs frequently push up the price of housing beyond the means of many teachers, firefighters, police officers and other moderate-income workers.

It should be apparent to everyone how important the housing industry is to our economy.   NYSBA continues to emphasize that federal, state and local government should be encouraging affordable housing through legislative and regulatory reforms that address the roadblocks which are preventing many in this state from participating in the American Dream.

                               NYSBA's 2010 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA