June 20, 2006

RYAN PUSHES HOUSING FORWARD FOR SENIORS

Despite elays, Board Chair determined to build senior
affordable housing in White Plains

Bill Ryan (D,I,WF-White Plains), Chair of the Westchester Board of Legislators, vowed to keep pressing for the votes to build 200 units of senior affordable housing in White Plains.  The housing, proposed by Ryan and County Executive Andy Spano, is one vote shy of the 12 needed for approval.

“I had the current proposal sent back to Budget and to Housing, the two committees that signed it out,” said Ryan, referring to action taken at last night’s meeting of the Legislature.  “This housing is critical for our City’s senior citizens and I’m determined to see it succeed. I believe that if we refine the proposal a little, we can get the necessary votes.”

The White Plains housing plan has also precipitated a debate over how to interpret the County’s law on the right of first refusal. Under that statute, the County must offer “excess property no longer needed for a County purpose” to the municipality in which that property is located before it can offer it to others.

During the course of the approval process for the White Plains housing, differences of opinion emerged on what constitutes a County purpose.

A majority of the Legislature’s 17 members maintains that the law doesn’t apply to property the County sells for the development of affordable housing.

“Affordable housing is a legitimate County purpose,” Ryan stated. “Two NYS Attorneys General as well as our own County Attorney have written convincing opinions to that effect that have satisfied most, but not all Legislators. And that minority is blocking the senior housing.”

“I think the difference of opinion is honest,” Ryan continued.  “And I’m convinced that if we don’t clarify the law, it could have a chilling effect on our future affordable housing initiatives.  So the County Executive and I have proposed an amendment to the law that would specifically identify affordable housing as a County purpose.”

However, at last night’s Board meeting, County Legislator George Oros, the Board’s minority leader, stopped that proposed amendment from going into committee for discussion.

“I found Legislator Oros’ action very confusing,” Ryan said.  “I would think he would want a full airing of the law and its intent, but he seems to be afraid to allow that.  Maybe he really knows that he isn’t interpreting the law correctly and that he’s trying to apply it wrongly.”