NY Governor Spotlights Importance of Home Building at HBA Awards Ceremony

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul delivered keynote remarks about the state’s housing shortage and efforts to increase home building opoprtunities at the New York State Builders Association’s (NYSBA) inaugural 2026 Empire Building Awards ceremony in March.

"If there’s a failure of ambition to build more housing or if there’s too many barriers in the way, then you don’t have the opportunities that you otherwise would have," she said. "Which is why I continue to tackle the issue of housing."

Highlighting her "Let Them Build" agenda, Hochul explained the struggle for young adults in the region to purchase an apartment or starter home, and her proposed solutions to help fix the issue. A key focus is to pass reforms to the State Environmental Quality Review Act that streamline approvals and accelerate housing production.

Listen to Hochul’s full speech.

The Empire Building Awards recognized winners in 15 categories spanning individual leadership excellence and project achievement. Special honors included:

• The Empire Legacy Award, presented by NYSBA President Bruno Schickel to former CEO of the Long Island Builders Institute Mitch Pally
• The Empire Housing Advocacy Award, presented by NAHB Second Vice Chairman Bob Peterson to NAHB VP of State and Local Government Karl Eckhart

View the full list of winners.