Times Union: Survey: Affordable housing, upward mobility big concerns for Capital Region

"Pioneer, the Colonie-based bank, provided the funding for the unique study as the main sponsor. The Boys and Girls Club and the Jankow Companies, an Albany real estate firm, also partnered with Siena and Pioneer on the project.

“What intrigued Pioneer about it is it really fits perfectly within our charitable foundation because we are really focused on helping kids be kids in our community,” Tom Amell, Pioneer's CEO, said in a phone interview. “What this survey does is shine a spotlight on areas in our community that need more attention.”

Amell said there are various reasons why there is an affordable housing shortage, and it’s not just an issue here but all across the country. In New York, the regulatory approval process for housing is long and expensive, which contributes to the shortfall, he said."

Read the full story from the Times Union here.