Westchester Housing Vote: Did Lawmakers Make the Right Decision?

September 23rd, 2009   (41 views )

WHITE PLAINS — The Westchester County Board of Legislators on Wednesday morning approved a landmark housing settlement with the federal government to build hundreds of affordable units in wealthy, mostly white suburbs.

It was considered by some leaders — including County Executive Andrew Spano and board Chairman William Ryan, D-White Plains — to be one of the most important votes taken by the county board.

The approval, which passed 12-5, comes two days before the court-ordered deadline that would have forced a potentially long and expensive trial — costing from $180 million to $300 million or more — with the federal government had the board not signed off on it. Those opposing the settlement said it was a battle worth fighting.

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Comment from: mags [Visitor] Email
What will be fun to watch is how property taxes will be handled. Hopefully these people in these affordable houses will be able to afford the high property taxes that come in these "white communities" If the town appraisers put the affordable houses with less value so these people can afford them, then residents will challenge the same property and house size and seek lower taxes as well!
PermalinkPermalink 09/23/09 @ 13:44
Comment from: PAUL FEINER [Visitor] Email · http://www.greenburghny.com
ONE SUGGESTION THAT COULD LEAD TO SUPPORT FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING SETTLEMENT
BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON SCHOOL CAMPUSES

The decision of the Westchester County Board of Legislators to approve a housing settlement with the federal government to build hundreds of affordable units of housing in wealthier neighborhoods should be followed up with some innovative, new thinking --to reduce the possibility of opposition to the implementation of the agreement.

I would like to propose that school districts & colleges, with surplus land, consider building affordable housing for teachers and school staff on their campuses. Many exclusive private schools already have affordable housing for teachers and staff on their campuses. These apartments help the schools attract better teachers. At the same time - if educators are living on campus they are more likely to devote time helping students during after hours with school related projects, clubs, sports activities. This suggestion can be a win-win for everyone. The schools get better teachers. Currently, few teachers can afford to live near the schools they teach at because Westchester is so unaffordable.Some of the better teachers are choosing schools in other counties or states. The teachers win because they get affordable housing in a great county. The children win because teachers will have more time to spend helping them. Better schools enhance property values so the homeowners win too!
Westchester County could also provide some financial incentives to schools that agree to build affordable housing on campus.
It's my hope that the community, elected officials will work together to make affordable housing happen with the least amount of controversy.
PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor
PermalinkPermalink 09/23/09 @ 18:08
Comment from: fred [Visitor]
Mr. Feiner is absolutely correct. Westchester County owns 1000's of acres throughout the county where condos and other cluster housing could be built for county, city, and village workers.
However, we still need to do away with county govt.!
PermalinkPermalink 09/23/09 @ 20:53
Comment from: Charita Ehlert [Visitor] · http://www.crmonline.com.au/forums/member/770
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PermalinkPermalink 02/02/12 @ 20:51

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