In November 2025, New York City voters were presented with the most promising opportunity in decades to clear the bottlenecks that have notoriously obstructed development of even the simplest housing projects. Ballot Question 3: ‘Simplify Review of Modest Housing and Infrastructure Projects’ proposed a major streamlining of the land-use review process, and the city’s REALTORS® – represented by four local associations – threw their support behind it in an energetic public awareness campaign. An Issues Mobilization Grant from the REALTOR® Party helped get the word out, and the legislation passed by nearly one million votes across the city.
According to Dr. Jermaine Meadows, Bronx & Manhattan Government Affairs Director of the Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS®, the passage of Question 3 would shorten approval timelines for modest housing developments; reduce costs that are currently passed on to renters and buyers; accelerate upgrades to schools, transit, and community facilities; and create more predictable pathways for REALTORS®, property owners, and developers. The City Council opposed it; however, several borough presidents supported the proposal. “Politics is hard,” laughs Meadows, noting that the REALTORS® did have the encouragement of multiple polls showing voter approval of Question 3 at over 60%.
In a powerful display of partnership and coordinated advocacy, his association teamed up with the Long Island Board of REALTORS®, the Brooklyn Board of REALTORS®, and the Staten Island Board of REALTORS® to assert their role as the region’s pro-active voice for real estate. They received guidance and support from the New York State Association, and secured an Issues Mobilization Grant to launch a comprehensive city-wide campaign that featured rallies, robust social media outreach, and printed educational materials. It was very much a member-driven, grassroots effort, says Meadows, with REALTORS® taking the lead as community subject experts in the benefits of Question 3. “We went from brokerage to brokerage, educating members and providing them with signs and palm cards. Half the battle was awareness: once New Yorkers learned that this solution was on the ballot, the details were not a hard-sell.”
Under the newly adopted Expedited Land Use Review Process, the timeframe for many modest developments in low-density areas will be trimmed to 90 days prior to a final decision by the City Planning Commission, eliminating the previously required review by the City Council – which often took years.
“This will help cut through red tape, unlock new opportunities for small housing and infrastructure projects, and ultimately make it easier to bring attainable homes to market,” states Meadows. He notes that while it is still early to gauge the full impact of the ballot victory on the city’s housing prospects, the win has been an exciting kick-off for a busy legislative year, and the REALTORS® will be monitoring progress closely.
To learn more about how New York City’s REALTOR® organizations are working to reverse the city’s housing shortage, contact Dr. Jermaine Meadows, Bronx and Manhattan Government Affairs Director of the Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS®, at jermaine.meadows@hgar.com or 914.681.0833.
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