Bringing the Realtor Voice to the NYS Senate Budget Hearing

As housing affordability continues to dominate policy conversations across New York, it is more important than ever that lawmakers hear directly from the professionals working in the housing industry every day. Recently, the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors had the opportunity to do exactly that when five of our members participated in a New York State Senate public budget hearing hosted by the Westchester Senate delegation, including Pete Harckham, Shelley Mayer and Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins.

Public hearings are an important—and sometimes unpredictable—part of the legislative process. They provide a rare opportunity for industry professionals, residents and advocacy organizations to speak directly with elected officials as state budget priorities take shape. For HGAR, it was another chance to bring practical, real-world housing perspectives into policy discussions that too often happen without input from those on the front lines of the market.

A targeted group of members tested out the effectiveness of delivering testimony on five key issues that collectively shape housing opportunity in New York: access to homeownership, housing supply, fair housing protections, rising insurance costs and local land-use decision-making. While each topic addressed a different challenge, the underlying message was consistent—improving affordability requires removing barriers while supporting responsible housing growth.

One of the clearest themes that emerged from our testimony was that the biggest hurdle facing first-time buyers is not necessarily the monthly payment, but the upfront costs required to enter the market.

HGAR Board Regional Director Westchester and Legislative Committee Chair Crystal Hawkins-Syska spoke about the importance of funding a First-Time Homebuyer Savings Account program alongside grant assistance to help buyers cover down payments and closing costs. Realtors see firsthand how long prospective buyers struggle trying to save while home prices continue to rise. Targeted programs like these can help bridge that gap and turn renters into homeowners—strengthening both families and communities in the process.

2026 HGAR President Rey Hollingsworth Falu addressed another critical issue: the impact of lengthy environmental review timelines on housing production. New York’s environmental protections are important and necessary, but projects that already comply with local zoning requirements often face duplicative reviews that add years to development timelines.

From a market perspective, time directly translates into cost. Delays increase financing expenses, discourage investment and ultimately reduce the number of homes that reach the market. Modernizing review processes without weakening environmental safeguards is a practical step toward addressing the housing shortage.

HGAR Past President Barry Kramer focused his testimony on cooperative housing, which remains a vital pathway to homeownership in many downstate communities. However, buyers frequently encounter opaque application processes that can create uncertainty and, at times, raise fair housing concerns.

Improving transparency, establishing clearer timelines, and strengthening enforcement mechanisms would benefit everyone involved—buyers, sellers, and cooperative boards alike—while reinforcing confidence in the system.

Another issue gaining urgency is the rapid rise in home insurance premiums. Bronx Chair Mackenzie Forsberg highlighted how increasing insurance costs are quietly becoming another driver of housing unaffordability.

Whether someone owns or rents, rising insurance expenses ultimately affect housing costs. Understanding the causes behind these increases and exploring ways to stabilize the market will be essential to maintaining long-term housing affordability.

HGAR President-Elect Tony Ruperto concluded HGAR’s testimony by addressing the role local planning and zoning boards play in shaping housing availability. Training standards and oversight vary widely across municipalities, yet these boards make decisions that directly influence whether housing can be built.

Better education and accountability can help ensure decisions are informed, consistent and aligned with community needs while, reducing uncertainty in the development process.

In many ways, this public hearing served as a preview of the advocacy work ahead. The issues discussed will form the backbone of our conversations during Albany Lobby Day and upcoming meetings with lawmakers this year. Following the New York State Association of Realtors Mid-Winter Meetings, our legislative priorities are taking shape—including protecting independent contractor status, advancing first-time homebuyer initiatives, pursuing SEQRA reform and addressing broader housing affordability challenges.

Public hearings remind us that housing policy is not created in isolation. It is shaped through engagement, dialogue, and sometimes spirited discussion. By showing up and sharing our professional experiences, HGAR members ensured lawmakers heard directly from those who help New Yorkers navigate housing decisions every day.

For Realtors, advocacy is not separate from our work—it is an extension of it. Helping people achieve housing stability and homeownership requires not only guiding clients through transactions but also working to create policies that make those opportunities possible in the first place.

As budget negotiations continue and we prepare for Albany Lobby Day, HGAR remains committed to bringing practical solutions to the table and ensuring the Realtor voice remains part of the conversation shaping New York’s housing future.

About the author: Alexander Roithmayr is Director of Government Affairs for the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors.