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Land Use Law Center

The 9th Annual Hudson Valley Affordable Housing Summit Schedule

The 9th Annual Hudson Valley Affordable Housing Summit

Reframing Affordability: Creating a More Inclusive Affordable Housing Agenda

May 20, 2026 | 8:15 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Breakfast & Networking
8:15 a.m.–8:45 a.m.

Transition into Room
8:45 a.m.–9:00 a.m.

Welcome & Introduction
9:00 a.m.–9:15 a.m.

  • Tiffany B. Zezula, Esq., Deputy Director, Land Use Law Center
  • Chance Mullen, Executive Director, Housing Action Council

A Better Way to Zone
9:15 a.m.–9:45 a.m.

Don Elliott will be discussing best practices in zoning for both production and preservation of affordable housing as detailed in his new book An Even Better Way to Zone. Mr. Elliott will also highlight recent state efforts and local successes in implementing and integrating these approaches with community transportation and infrastructure investment strategies.

  • Donald L. Elliott, Esq., FAICP, Senior Consultant, Clarion Associates, LLC

Session 1: Develop, Dispose or Transfer: Municipal Leadership in the Disposition of Municipal Land for Housing
10:00 a.m.–10:50 a.m.

This session explores how municipalities leverage public-private partnerships, Land Bank authorities, and quasi-public entities to advance housing and redevelopment goals. Panelists will examine the use of pathways for acquisition when municipalities do not hold title, and the legal and financial frameworks that structure these deals. Attendees will gain a balanced understanding of the pros and cons, as well as the risks and responsibilities municipalities assume when engaging private partners to deliver public outcomes.

  • Wade Beltramo, Esq., General Counsel, New York Conference of Mayors
  • Natalie Quinn, Director of Planning, KARC Consulting
  • Bartek Starodaj, Director of Housing Initiatives, City of Kingston

Session 2: Creating a Spectrum of Housing for our Municipalities: Finding the Gaps and Choosing the Tools
10:50 a.m.–11:30 a.m.

Every community faces a different housing gap — from deeply affordable housing to workforce homeownership to simply producing enough housing to meet demand. Once that gap is identified, the challenge becomes choosing the right tools to address it. Each panelist is working in different ways to deliver the housing our communities need. Together, they will discuss the strategies, partnerships, and obstacles involved in turning housing goals into real projects.

  • Michael F. Kohut, Mayor, Village of Haverstraw
  • Jason Labate, Esq., Partner, Goldstein Hall PLLC
  • Richard Nightingale, President & CEO, Westhab, Inc.
  • Steven Stowers, Director of Real Estate Development, Housing Action Council

Session 3: Unlocking Housing: NY SEQRA Reform and the Path to Affordable Development
11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.

This session will unpack the pending New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) reform changes and explore how updated processes may streamline approvals, reduce unnecessary delays, and create more certainty for developers and communities alike. Experts will discuss the potential impacts of these reforms on accelerating affordable housing production, balancing environmental safeguards with housing needs, and strategies for municipalities to leverage the changes for smart growth. Participants will leave with practical insights on navigating the new SEQRA landscape to promote equitable and sustainable housing solutions.

  • Moderator: Michael N. Romita, President & CEO, Westchester County Association
  • Kate Slevin, Executive Vice President, Regional Plan Association
  • Michael Gerrard, Esq., Andrew Sabin Professor of Professional Practice, Columbia Law School
  • Tony Gonçalves, Supervisor, Town of Lewisboro