Distressed New York hotels could be turned into housing

Housing advocates and state lawmakers on Friday called for a bill meant to make it easier for distressed hotels to be turned into affordable housing.

The legislation would come amid a housing shortage in New York and as the economy continues to struggle amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic over the last year.

The measure has the backing of lawmakers from disparate ends of the state, in both Rochester and in New York City.

“New York has seen a decades-long affordable housing crunch exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic devastation," said state Sen. Michael Gianaris, the chamber's deputy majority leader. "This legislation is a good way to tackle the dual problems of distressed properties and lack of affordable housing."

Read more: https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/buffalo/ny-state-of-politics/2021/05/21/distressed-new-york-hotels-could-be-turned-into-housing-