White Plains, NY — At their first Board meeting since the reorganization, the Board of Legislators voted (unanimously) to pass Land Acquisition Acts to authorize the purchase and subsequent conveyance of property to support the construction of affordable senior rental housing units. This initiative is part of the County's program to support the construction of affordable housing units that affirmatively further fair housing (Affordable AFFH Units) throughout Westchester.
Board Chair Vedat Gashi (D- Ossining, New Castle, Somers, Yorktown) said, "Words are powerful when actions follow. It’s appropriate that these are the first items we take up in our first legislative session. These actions today reflect the concrete steps that the BOL is taking to provide more affordable housing in Westchester. Residents in Westchester – seniors in particular – are suffering because of a lack of affordable housing. This is a step to bring relief to our seniors. I want to thank our partners on the state level, municipalities, my fellow Legislators and County Executive George Latimer. We will do whatever we can to help seniors and all residents of Westchester County.”
Legislator Shanae Williams (D – Yonkers) said, "As Housing & Planning Chair and former Council Member, I am familiar with this project, and I am thrilled when County and City converge to meet the needs of our residents. Many seniors live on a fixed income, and it's crucial for them to have the option to reside in safe and affordable housing. The approval of these rental units is a significant victory not just for the elderly population but for the community as a whole.”
Legislator Emiljana Ulaj (D - Briarcliff Manor, Cortlandt, Croton, Ossining, Peekskill, Buchanan) said, “I’m thrilled for one of my first acts as a County Legislator to be voting on the necessary steps for the County to support affordable housing projects for seniors in my district. Many of our seniors have spent decades in our local communities—they need affordable options to continue to live in the communities they love. I commend the Village of Ossining for being a strong partner in this effort, my colleagues at the Board of Legislators, and County Executive George Latimer for his dedication to addressing the County’s most critical needs.”
The two affordable properties will help ease the housing shortage for senior citizens in Westchester, where seniors living on fixed incomes struggle to afford rising housing costs. The Yonkers property will offer 94 affordable housing units and 49 parking spaces to seniors earning at or below 30% and up to 80% of the Westchester County area median income. The Ossining property will offer 74 affordable units and 79 parking spaces for senior residents earning at or below 40% and up to 60% of the Westchester County area median income. Both properties will be marketed and leased to eligible residents aged 62 years and over.
You can watch the Board meeting at the following link: bit.ly/1-22-24-BOLmtg