Still no final housing agreement in state budget

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- The budget is 10 days late, and still there is no final agreement on housing.

"We want to be able to build and we want to be able to protect tenants," said Senate Majority Leader, Andrea Stewart-Cousins at a press conference on Tuesday.

She said while they are getting closer, there is still no final housing deal.

"Because there are so many elements to this housing package— short term, long term, there’s so many stakeholders involved. To get a complete package with everyone seeing progress with what it is we are trying to achieve," said Stewart-Cousins. "Actually attaining and achieving that progress is where we really need to land."

The Senate and Assembly budgets included policies that align with Good Cause, which advocates say would protect tenants from being unreasonably evicted.

Republicans, however, have concerns it will scare off potential housing developers.

"We have to ask ourselves, why would a property owner continue to invest in New York State when Good Cause basically stripes away their rights? It transfers property rights to the tenants," said Senator Pam Helming.

Republicans would also like to reinstate 421-a, a tax incentive for new housing projects in New York City.

Another budget extender is expected to be passed on Thursday and will go until Tuesday.