Syracuse Sun

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh announced that the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (HCR) has named the City of Syracuse a Pro-Housing Community. The Pro-Housing Communities Program, launched by Governor Hochul last year, recognizes municipalities for their commitment to housing growth.

“Syracuse is honored to be selected among the first state-designated Pro-Housing Communities,” Mayor Walsh said. “It is the result of years of hard work and creative problem-solving by the City’s Department of Neighborhood and Business Development and our multiple non-profit and private sector housing partners. With New York’s help, I’m confident we will continue to grow the supply of quality affordable housing in the City of Syracuse. I thank Governor Hochul and HCR Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas for their consistent support for Syracuse housing priorities.”

“Across our state, local leaders are joining our Pro-Housing Communities program to take a stand against New York’s housing crisis and commit to building the homes New Yorkers deserve,” Governor Hochul said. “My administration is ready to work with any community that shares our determination to build safe, stable, and affordable housing, and I encourage even more local leaders to launch their applications, get certified, and help us achieve our housing potential in every part of the state.”

In 2023, Governor Hochul signed an Executive Order establishing the Pro-Housing Community Program to recognize and reward municipalities actively working to unlock their housing potential. Localities that have successfully unlocked housing growth or committed to taking important steps such as streamlining permitting processes or adopting pro-housing policies—and have submitted critical housing and zoning data—will receive certification from New York State Homes and Community Renewal.

Pro-Housing Communities are eligible for up to $650 million in state discretionary funding.