While housing has been a signature issue for Mayor Bill de Blasio, much of his efforts to build more units are in the hands of both the City Council and in the State Legislature. State House Reporter Zack Fink has the story.
In a rare joint appearance, the mayor teamed up with State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.
"I really want to thank the Housing Mayor, Bill de Blasio," Schneiderman said.
De Blasio is certainly trying to earn the title of "Housing Mayor," but he hasn't always been able to deliver.
The City Council is currently considering his plan to make zoning changes that would boost the number of affordable units.
And in Albany, the pushback is stronger. Lawmakers have failed to renew a tax break for developers known as 421-a, which expired two months ago after being on the books for 40 years.
Next week, State Senate Republicans are set to pass their own budget which demonstrates their priorities.
But according to Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan, 421-a may not to be a part of it.
"We are having ongoing discussions internally. We had a series of internal conference committee reports today; Monday and Tuesday as well," Flanagan said. "We have not finalized what will be in our one house resolution."
De Blasio proposed changes to 421-a when it was up for renewal last year, but they were rejected by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
"The 421-a program absolutely needed reform. It wasn't functioning properly in terms of being fair to taxpayers, it wasn't creating enough affordable housing, it was subsidizing luxury housing, it made no sense," de Blasio said.
"But the idea wasn't to throw the baby out with the bath water but to reform it, which is what we proposed," de Blasio continued.
Thursday, the mayor announced that 600 units of supportive housing would be built citywide to help those with substance abuse issues or who might have been homeless at one time get back on their feet.
The money to pay for that comes from a one-time infusion that Schneiderman received from a settlement with landlords who were breaking the law.
"Folks who abuse the law in one area frequently abuse the law in other areas," Schneiderman said. "And it's very important that we enforce the law for the sake of the city, but also for the sake of all the honorable business people who are actually playing by the rules."
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