New York lawmakers Wednesday said several housing issues remain open in ongoing budget talks as Gov. Kathy Hochul parades around the state touting a tentative spending agreement that isn't finished.

The governor has announced bits and pieces of the final budget this week, which she said will include $50 million for state-sponsored housing vouchers to help low-income households avoid foreclosure or eviction.

The state Senate and Assembly each proposed $250 million to create the Housing Access Voucher Program modeled after federal Section 8.

"We got our foot in the door, and we'll fight for more in the coming years," Assembly Housing Committee Chair Linda Rosenthal said.

Gov. Hochul said state leaders will keep a close watch on the pilot program, which could easily skyrocket.

"This has the potential to escalate a great deal," Hochul told reporters Tuesday at an unrelated event in Albany. "But it's something I thought was important, the leaders of the Legislature thought was important and it's something I'm proud to accomplish as well."

The governor didn't back funding housing vouchers in her inital budget proposal and dismissed support for the program last month — maintaining the state's focus on building up a lackluster housing supply.

"The more supply we have, the prices will go down and that's why we're in a crisis for anyone who's trying to find a home," she said March 18.

But Rosenthal said Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie was adamant the budget establish the program this year.

"Initially, [the governor's] funding offer for vouchers was very low," she said. "He got that number up to $50 [million]. Fifty is what we're going to get, so that's what we're going to use and fight for more in the future."

Budget officials haven't decided how quickly to distribute the $50 million pilot program, or when it will sunset.

The $50 million will go to public housing authorities around the state and is estimated to benefit about 2,000 New York households, Housing Justice For All director Cea Weaver said.

New York receives about $2.2 billion in federal housing subsidies annually. Weaver said the state voucher program must be up and running by the end of the year as President Donald Trump eyes slashing billions in federal housing assistance. 

"We can always go back and put more money in it," Weaver said. "We just feel there's a huge amount of threat from the federal government and what the Trump administration may or may not do."

The Senate and Assembly's $250 million proposal would have served about 20,000 low-income households.

Senate Housing Committee Chair Brian Kavanagh said the rental assistance will make for a strong housing budget as eviction rates exceed 10% in some parts of the state.

But the senator said the Legislature is still fighting for more capital in the next spending plan to build new affordable housing, or repair and maintain existing units.

"There's still a lot of work to do to make sure there's the available capital to build the housing we need and preserve the housing we have and rental assistance programs work effectively," he told Spectrum News 1 on Wednesday. "I don't expect that we're concluding the budget negotiations this week at this point. We'll continue to discuss that issue and many other issues in housing."

Kavanagh said the state needs to invest more in the Homeowner Protection Program, known as HOPP, that helps people who can't afford their mortgage or taxes avoid foreclosure.

The senator added that talks continue between the Legislature and Second Floor to hash out spending details of several programs to support public housing across the state, the Shelter Arrears Eviction Forestallment Program and others included in last year's landmark housing deal.

"It's been a long fight and we're coming toward the end," he said Wednesday. "We're not quite there, but I am optimistic."

Lawmakers said they're encouraged by the housing budget, but the governor's focus on affordability initiatives fall short.

Rosenthal said convincing the governor to adequately fund housing programs is a battle.

"The governor doesn't love these housing programs that are vouchers or guaranteed funding for different programs," the assemblywoman said. "So it's a fight. It's a fight, and a slog."

Rosenthal argues the $2 billion Hochul insisted on for one-time "rebate" checks could have better helped low- and middle-income families if it was spent on housing.

"People might appreciate $200 in their pocket, but they'd appreciate more having the ability to actually stay in New York," she said.