Housing advocates and state lawmakers on Friday called for a bill meant to make it easier for distressed hotels to be turned into affordable housing. 

The legislation would come amid a housing shortage in New York and as the economy continues to struggle amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic over the last year. 

The measure has the backing of lawmakers from disparate ends of the state, in both Rochester and in New York City. 

“New York has seen a decades-long affordable housing crunch exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic devastation," said state Sen. Michael Gianaris, the chamber's deputy majority leader. "This legislation is a good way to tackle the dual problems of distressed properties and lack of affordable housing."

The $212 state budget approved last month included $100 million for converting hotels into housing. But the budget did not include a provision creating a program to spend it and get the effort off the ground. 

"Housing and ending homelessness continues to be one of my priorities," said Assemblyman Harry Bronson of the Rochester area. "In 2019, I brought the Assembly Housing Committee to Rochester and together we made historic changes to rent regulations. Now, in 2021 I am a co-sponsor of HONDA and committed to bringing affordable housing units to the city of Rochester.”