September 23, 2025
Why PEX is the Right Choice for Affordable Housing Projects in New York City
By Alex Gross
Diane Cahill, CEO of Cahill Strategies, a New York MWBE-certified government relations and communications firm with a robust construction practice area specializing in project-specific solutions and regulatory reform, suggests approving PEX in New York City’s (NYC) plumbing code is the key to advancing more affordable housing projects in the city.
In her latest op-ed Tariffs, Copper, and Common Sense: Why NYC Must Approve PEX for Affordable Housing’s Survival, Cahill explains that building affordable housing in NYC remains a challenge because developers are dealing with exorbitant land costs, continually increasing labor expenses, and layers of regulatory red tape.
As of right now, metallic pipes are the only approved material for use in plumbing systems in NYC, which includes copper, stainless steel, and iron, with copper being the metallic pipe of choice. The NYC plumbing code restricts the usage of PEX systems for plumbing while copper is experiencing steadily increasing prices that are not expected to slow down any time soon. The price of copper makes it more difficult to increase the volume of affordable housing projects that are being constructed.
Cahill goes on to say that the lack of availability of 21st century building materials, like PEX, isn’t just an issue with materials, it’s a housing issue, citing a direct correlation between material price increases and fewer units being built because of longer project timelines and deeper financial gaps that many developers cannot bridge.
The op-ed points to using PEX for plumbing systems in NYC because of its cost-effective labor and material costs, proven safety and durability, and its adoption rate in most major cities across the country, besides NYC and Chicago.
Cahill states, "This delay in adopting modern plumbing materials comes at a high cost. PEX systems can reduce installation costs by up to 30%, dramatically cut labor hours, and lessen the risk of leaks and corrosion. PEX is also easier to install in tight spaces and requires fewer fittings, which means fewer potential failure points. For affordable housing developers, those savings can be the difference between delivering 100 or 120 units or not building at all.”
With copper prices rising to their highest points, Cahill believes it is imperative that local policy take measures to reduce project costs, including approving PEX in NYC. "Approving PEX is more than just a smart plumbing decision, it’s a smart housing policy," said Cahill.
In her latest op-ed Tariffs, Copper, and Common Sense: Why NYC Must Approve PEX for Affordable Housing’s Survival, Cahill explains that building affordable housing in NYC remains a challenge because developers are dealing with exorbitant land costs, continually increasing labor expenses, and layers of regulatory red tape.
As of right now, metallic pipes are the only approved material for use in plumbing systems in NYC, which includes copper, stainless steel, and iron, with copper being the metallic pipe of choice. The NYC plumbing code restricts the usage of PEX systems for plumbing while copper is experiencing steadily increasing prices that are not expected to slow down any time soon. The price of copper makes it more difficult to increase the volume of affordable housing projects that are being constructed.
Cahill goes on to say that the lack of availability of 21st century building materials, like PEX, isn’t just an issue with materials, it’s a housing issue, citing a direct correlation between material price increases and fewer units being built because of longer project timelines and deeper financial gaps that many developers cannot bridge.
The op-ed points to using PEX for plumbing systems in NYC because of its cost-effective labor and material costs, proven safety and durability, and its adoption rate in most major cities across the country, besides NYC and Chicago.
Cahill states, "This delay in adopting modern plumbing materials comes at a high cost. PEX systems can reduce installation costs by up to 30%, dramatically cut labor hours, and lessen the risk of leaks and corrosion. PEX is also easier to install in tight spaces and requires fewer fittings, which means fewer potential failure points. For affordable housing developers, those savings can be the difference between delivering 100 or 120 units or not building at all.”
With copper prices rising to their highest points, Cahill believes it is imperative that local policy take measures to reduce project costs, including approving PEX in NYC. "Approving PEX is more than just a smart plumbing decision, it’s a smart housing policy," said Cahill.
Tariffs, Copper, and Common Sense: Why NYC Must Approve PEX for Affordable Housing’s Survival
Read the Entire Op-Ed Here