ALBANY, NY — Assemblymember Eleanor Ross (D–New York) today announced legislation aimed at expanding access to affordable housing across New York State, arguing that working families should not have to choose between paying rent, covering basic expenses, and saving for their future.

The proposed Housing Affordability and Community Accountability Act would establish new incentives for the construction of mixed-income housing, strengthen oversight of publicly subsidized residential developments, and provide additional support to municipalities that approve housing projects near public transportation.

“New York cannot remain a state where teachers, nurses, young professionals, and working parents are increasingly priced out of the communities they serve,” said Assemblymember Ross. “We need more housing. We need housing that people can actually afford. And when public money is involved, taxpayers deserve to know that it is producing real results.”

Ross emphasized that the legislation is intended to bring developers, local governments, tenant advocates, and community organizations to the negotiating table rather than pit them against one another.