Dr. Brenda Myers, Superintendent of Schools for the Valhalla Board of Education advised the Greenburgh Town Board today that the Valhalla Board of Education will discuss, in executive session on September 29th, the proposal by the town to convert the Westhelp homeless shelter (which closed down in 2011) to senior citizen affordable housing units. The town and Marathon developers have asked the county to extend the lease to 30 years (the town only has a legal interest in the property for 15 years).
The County Executive's office had advised the Town Board that they would be more receptive to the proposed senior housing apartments if the Valhalla School Board is on board. I have asked the School Board if representatives of the town can attend the meeting to answer any questions they have and address possible concerns.
Last year 8 retired Sisters expressed interest in moving to senior housing at the abandoned Westhelp site. Almost every day senior citizens contact me asking for help finding affordable housing.
The beautiful Westhelp housing complex should be put to a good use--affordable senior citizen housing.
The Town Board had previously voted to enter into an agreement with an affordable housing developer to convert the Westhelp facility to affordable housing for the remaining 15 years of the towns interest in the property in the event that the county rejects the 30 year senior housing option. Two different affordable housing developers have expressed interest in the property. Today - one of the developers indicated that he could have tenants move into the apartments possibly by the end of 2015! If the county rejects the senior housing option the town will work with the school district and will try to attract as many seniors as possible to the housing units.
PAUL FEINER