UNINCORPORATED GREENBURGH IS ONE OF THE FEW COMMUNITIES IN THE COUNTY THAT WAS NOT ORDERED BY THE US JUSTIC DEPARTMENT TO BUILD MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING ---BECAUSE OF OUR 40 YEAR RECORD

some very exciting news!

The Greenburgh Housing Authority met with members of the Town Board on Tuesday to discuss the redevelopment of the senior citizen affordable housing at 48-60 Manhattan Ave. This housing facility is 40 years old. It’s poorly constructed and not very attractive. It needs infrastructure repairs and improvements.  The property does not meet the current code and does not have many of the resources, amenities and accessibility features that are commonplace in senior developments today.

There is a long waiting list to get into Greenburgh housing.  When the housing authority opened up the application process 500 applicants applied in six hours. The Housing Authority proposes to replace 30 units of senior housing with 82 units in a modern 3 story facility that would include new and much larger units, a community room, fitness center and outdoor gardens.

More details in the attached memo.

I am very pleased with this initiative and will work  hard to help the Housing Authority turn this proposal into reality.

This is the link to the Town Board discussion:

http://greenburghny.swagit.com/play/06142016-563/#5

It should be pointed out that unincorporated Greenburgh is one of the very few towns, villages and cities in Westchester that was not ordered by the US Justice department to build more affordable housing units. The reason: Our 40 year record of non discrimination. The US Justice department and the County of Westchester had signed a settlement during the administration of former County Executive Andrew Spano --a landmark desegregation case. The Justice department has claimed that the county has failed to enact legislation prohibiting housing discrimination based on source of income like Section 8.  As a result of the lawsuit a new affordable housing complex has been built in the village of Ardsley on the site of the former waterwheel property. That complex will house some volunteer firefighters or municipal employees. But, a lottery was also held for most of the apartments.  The town worked with the village and turned over foreclosed property to help the village make this happen. That development is almost ready for occupancy.  And looks attractive.

PAUL FEINER