Assemblyman Michael Novakhov is condemning the proposed REVIVE Act, arguing that it would strip cities and neighborhoods of local zoning control and hand too much power to Albany. He says the bill could allow vacant retail spaces to be turned into low-income housing without meaningful community approval, hurting business districts and overwhelming local infrastructure. Novakhov says affordable housing should be built, but only with local input and in places where it makes sense.
MICHAEL
NOVAKHOV
STATE ASSEMBLYMAN NY-45
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 24, 2026
CONTACT: Oliver Ashe / ad45@nyassembly.gov
NOVAKHOV CONDEMNS DEMOCRATS’ ATTEMPT TO GET RID OF LOCAL CONTROL
Assemblyman Michael Novakhov (R,C-Brooklyn) joined his Republican colleagues in both the Senate and Assembly to denounce the “REVIVE Act” (A.10632). This bill would strip local control from municipalities by allowing the state to override local zoning authority and permit vacant retail space to be converted into low-income residential housing. Novakhov says that as a state with a strong history of home rule and local control, this unprecedented step would do nothing but damage local communities.
“New Yorkers deserve to have a voice in what happens in their communities. What this bill would do is strip them of that privilege. Instead of local zoning boards making decisions, bureaucrats from Albany would have the final say, despite having no understanding of the communities they would be impacting. It makes zero sense why, in a shopping or nightlife district, there should be low-income housing, yet under this proposal, that is exactly what would happen. This will drive business away, not to mention local communities may not have the infrastructure in place to handle a massive influx of people. I want to be clear, I am not against building low-income housing, but it must be done in a way that makes sense and with the approval of the community in which it is happening,” said Novakhov.
Assemblyman Novakhov represents the 45th District, which includes parts of Brooklyn. For more information about Assemblyman Novakhov, please follow him on Facebook.\
Assemblymember Michael Novakhov
Sources: Midtown Triobune news