State must tweak its housing program

Patchogue always has been an example of what Long Island does right when it comes to housing. For two decades, Mayor Paul Pontieri has championed the need for revitalizing his village's downtown by adding new apartments, retail and entertainment. In the last 15 years, the village has added more than 700 housing units.

It's an infrequent Long Island success story, a lead other communities should follow.

So, when Pontieri last week said he was not planning to apply for Gov. Kathy Hochul's new pro-housing certification, it made waves among housing advocates, local leaders and, particularly, state officials, who hope to encourage Pontieri to change his mind. After all, if Patchogue officials have doubts, others likely do, too.

Whether or not Patchogue ultimately becomes certified, the state should take seriously the concerns Pontieri has raised regarding the program, which rewards communities for building more housing by offering them access to pots of state funds that can enable construction, add infrastructure, or otherwise bolster the municipality. It's a good idea. But for the program to succeed, it needs support from local officials, especially those who already buy in to the concept.

To date, the state has certified 11 municipalities across Long Island. It's clear from Patchogue's reticence that the pro-housing program — and the broader effort to grow the region's supply — won't gain ground beyond those pockets without significant changes.

That starts with the process itself. A mere chance to apply for state funding may not be enough motivation for a village with few employees to commit significant time and resources to complete the extensive paperwork needed. Simplifying the process, providing technical assistance, or offering alternatives for smaller municipalities could help.

Pontieri also raises valid concerns with the standards and guidelines every municipality must meet. The certification, for instance, is based on a community having increased its housing stock by 1% over the last year or 3% over the last three years. That may not work for places like Patchogue, which did the bulk of its building earlier and has more in the pipeline. The municipality also must pass a resolution promising to streamline permitting for and enact policies to encourage a variety of housing, including accessory dwelling units, supportive housing, multifamily and more. Such a sweeping pledge is unrealistic. Municipalities should be able to choose the types of construction that work best for them, rather than agreeing to a one-size-fits-all approach.

To achieve Hochul's housing goals, the state must add flexibility and nuance to its efforts. Nearly every village, town and city across Long Island can contribute to meeting the region's housing needs. But each might have a different way of getting there. The state must meet them where they are and help them grow, making it easier for a community to say "yes" to becoming "pro-housing," rather than giving them reason to say "no."