Statement from Senate Deputy Leader Gianaris on Hotel Conversion Bill Signing

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris issued the following statement on Governor Hochul signing legislation to expand the Housing Our Neighbors with Dignity Act (HONDA) program, which converts financially-distressed hotels into affordable housing. 

“This legislation builds upon the success of HONDA, which I was proud to author into law,” said Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris. “We will now have more opportunities to grow and expand this program to more neighborhoods, ensuring the construction of more affordable housing for New Yorkers. I thank everyone who helped make this possible, and look forward to more projects getting off the ground soon.” 

HONDA funds the state purchase of financially-distressed hotels and commercial properties to create permanent affordable housing for homeless and housing-vulnerable New Yorkers. The properties would then be operated by non-profit housing providers. New York City currently has more than 50,000 people living in homeless shelters and countless others who are housing stressed. Senator Gianaris has secured over $200 million in funding for this program since it was first enacted in 2021.

 The HONDA program was supported by a wide variety of experts in the housing field, including advocacy groups like VOCAL-NY, the Community Service Society of New York, non-profit housing developer HousingWorks, the Strong Economy for All coalition, Neighbors Together, and other organizations.