BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Home builders in Western New York say the housing shortage can be partly blamed on building moratoriums.
James Marrano of Marrano Homes said it's a "crisis of affordability."
Not only are builders dealing with regulations, increased costs and delays in the approval process, Marrano said building moratoriums in several places like Lancaster, Wheatfield and another being considered in Hamburg are becoming another roadblock for builders and future homeowners.
Marrano tells me several factors, including land and material costs drove up the prices and local and state regulations are making it even harder for builders.
"Towns are slowing down the process," said Marrano. "The Town of Lancaster imposed a moratorium on building. We all know New York is not the easiest state to do business in."
Marrano said energy codes are constantly being upgraded by the state
"The homes today are built so tight that you have to bring in makeup air. You have to bring in air from the outside," he said. "The houses are too tight."
Joe Benedict, Executive Director of the Buffalo Niagara Builder's Association said New York needs to ease up on some regulations.
"Mandating that all new construction, all single-family residential construction be all-electric by 2026 is a bit aggressive," he said. "It's something that our grid won't be able to handle."
Benedict also said proposed regulations to expand what would define a "wetland" would be a significant issue in Western New York.
"There's a lot of areas that to the common eye you look at it and you may not think it's a wetland," said Benedict. "But under the new regulations, it would be defined as a wetland and therefore you wouldn't be able to build on it."
"Just pave the road for us," Marrano said. "No pun intended, but pave the road so we can build these communities."
