Throughout this year’s legislative session, I have observed with great disappointment as lawmakers have disregarded the urgent need for housing reforms. Their failure to pass any policies aimed at addressing the housing shortage, such as Gov. Kathy Hochul’s housing compact or a package of pro-housing bills, is disheartening. Unfortunately, this means that individuals like myself will have to endure a longer wait before being able to find affordable housing within a reasonable commuting distance from work and the ability to support a family.
As an international student who came to the United States, I found America to be welcoming. I successfully completed my doctorate and secured a position as an assistant professor at a small liberal arts college. I thoroughly enjoyed sharing my passion for economics with my students in a small-class environment. With an annual salary of $74,000, I believed I had achieved professional success—until I began searching for a house.
Having excellent credit, $25,000 saved for a down payment, and a willingness to allocate 40-45% of my income towards monthly payments, I embarked on the search for a house in Westchester County. However, I quickly realized that my budget would only allow me to afford apartments in old co-op buildings that were in various states of disrepair and lacked basic amenities like air conditioning and in-unit laundry. Furthermore, I was unsure if I could afford the future assessments that would inevitably arise due to the age of these buildings, even if I could manage the mortgage payments.
My real estate agent suggested that I consider moving to the exurbs north of Westchester County, such as Putnam County, in order to afford newer construction with modern amenities. However, this would mean exceeding my self-imposed 45-minute commuting limit, adversely impacting my quality of life and contributing to environmental concerns.
In an attempt to find solutions, I turned to my colleagues to learn about their experiences finding decent and affordable housing within a reasonable commuting distance. To my surprise, those who had purchased homes in Westchester County had done so over 30 years ago or had received significant financial assistance from family or through inheritance. Some shared stories of colleagues with two-hour commutes from Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Delaware, and even New Jersey. Many of them mentioned that housing costs had hindered their plans for expanding their families or advancing their careers, and this was before the COVID-driven surge in suburban housing demand.
I found myself perplexed. Westchester County has plenty of vacant land that countless exhausted commuters pass by on congested highways.
As a middle-class individual in one of the wealthiest nations, I am able to quickly acquire most material possessions—except for a suitable house. Why? Because New York’s housing supply has failed to keep pace with its job growth.
The obstacles to housing production stem from political incentives that are misaligned. Local governments with veto power have disproportionately prioritized the supposed downsides of new housing for existing homeowners and residents, regardless of how trivial or unfounded these concerns may be. Consequently, they have had little motivation to consider the immense benefits of new housing for young people, those with limited financial means, and newcomers to the area. They have also failed to recognize how their inaction contributes to the economic appeal of the region and exacerbates the environmental consequences of suburban sprawl caused by limited housing availability in the suburbs.
Given the severity of the housing crisis, I had hoped that our state legislators would rise to the challenge and make decisions regarding regional housing supply that take into account the needs of a broader constituency—beyond just those who are fortunate enough to own homes. Sadly, New York’s elected officials have neglected their responsibilities to their constituents and have chosen not to take action this year. In the months to come, I am committed to using my voice and mobilizing my neighbors to create a pro-housing movement that cannot be ignored.
Nimish Adhia, an associate professor of economics at Manhattanville College and a member of Open New York, a pro-housing group, resides in Harrison, Westchester County.
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