AFFORDABLE HOUSING

I too share the public’s concern about housing affordability but we must ask: What role should our county, specifically WCL District 9, play in solving this statewide problem? I believe growth must be strategic—not one-size-fits-all. I support each locality deciding what their need is and not a mandate coming from the state forcing affordable and low income housing projects wherever they want. I will not support any project that causes a decrease in our home value and affects our quality of life. I will also support work force housing that allows our local employees, police first responders, school staff, local employees,  to live where they work

We’re also a district rich in land formations, very steep slopes, wet lands, ponds, river front and a river gorge for some. Evaluating the right strategic mix of 100% affordability, plus market rate apartments, condos, mixed use with commercial, while safeguarding the environment, is critical to ensuring we have the necessary income to support the infrastructure requirements of a growing population, without incurring tax hikes. 

Right next to me in Croton, projects like Maple Commons, which by the way started without unions, shifted from 33% to 100% affordable units (via State Lottery), have widened Croton’s future tax gap — $5,700 is the per unit average tax revenue compared to $1,700 from Maple Commons - directly affecting their school taxes and property value.

In addition, whenever affordable housing is awarded to a contractor, who should be local, the contracts should include some kind of community giveback.