People move through the streets of Manhattan.
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California, which has a similarly severe housing crisis, has done more at the state level to boost supply and prevent extreme rent increases. The state recently approved measures to reduce environmental review requirements on upzonings in areas close to jobs and transit; allow multiple homes on previously single-family lots; and block rent increases above 10 percent in buildings that are at least 15 years old.

Hochul, a Democrat, backed proposals to allow development on single-family lots and encourage transit-oriented development in suburbs in her initial proposed budget in January. But she backtracked after fierce pushback from suburban lawmakers.

“All the ways that communities have restricted production really are hampering our metropolitan area’s ability to produce enough housing,” said state Sen. Brian Kavanagh, who represents parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn, and chairs the body’s housing committee. “We’re one of the few states that have not done a substantial intervention into the land use and zoning restrictions, one of the few states that has that kind of hot housing market like New York that hasn’t taken those steps.”

Ry Rivard contributed to this report.