Area Organizations Come Out in Force to Support Workforce Housing Bill

Commack, Long Island, NY —On Wednesday, February 11 numerous business, civic and governmental leaders came out to a press conference to rally support for the DiNapoli/Balboni housing legislation, Long Island Workforce Housing Incentive Program, A08060, S.4899. The LIA has proposed this legislation in Albany, which would require all subdivisions over five units to include 10 percent of the units as affordable. Both houses of the State Legislature are now considering the measure, which passed the State Assembly in 2003.

The press conference held at the IBEW, Local 25, 370 Vanderbilt Motor Parkway in Hauppauge and was sponsored by the Long Island Association, Long Island Campaign for Affordable Rental Housing, Long Island Housing Partnership, Long Island Federation of Labor and Long Island Building Trades.

The goal of the rally and press conference was to let the state legislators know of the overwhelming support this important legislation has from the people and organizations throughout Long Island. “By providing incentives for the development of affordable housing, we are wisely investing in the individuals, families and communities that comprise Long Island,” stated the sponsor of the legislation, Assemblyman Thomas P. DiNapoli (D-Great Neck). “This bill provides a blueprint for additional affordable housing on Long Island, which will strengthen both our economy and our quality of life.”

“The price of a house went up 81 percent in the past four years, and pay checks only went up 14 percent. Nobody I know has gotten an 81 percent raise,” said Senator Michael A.L. Balboni, who sponsors the legislation in the state Senate. The bill promotes smart growth, and I firmly believe it will make Long Island a better place for all of us to live.”

LIA President Matthew T. Crosson emphasized that a wide range of Long Islanders are on board to get more workforce housing built on Long Island. "The region-wide support for this bill is proof of the urgency of this issue to Long Island families and our economy. This is the broadest coalition of organizations ever assembled on Long Island. And that's not surprising. Long Island needs housing that working people can afford. And we need it now. This bill represents our best chance to break the logjam and get that housing built."

"Assemblyman DiNapoli and Senator Balboni have recognized the dire need for workforce housing, both homeownership and rental on Long Island. Now we will support them in their efforts by showing the overwhelming support that exists on Long Island," said Ed Hernandez, co-chair Long Island Campaign for Affordable Rental Housing.

"This state legislation dovetails perfectly with the Suffolk County Commission on Workforce Housing I have established, which will map out and distinguish lands that should be preserved from lands that should be used to meet the source of our housing needs," said Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy. "By identifying properties for redevelopment, bringing municipalities, civic interests and community organizations in on the front end of the process, and providing proper bonuses and incentives to builders as envisioned in the DiNapoli/Balboni legislation, together we will be able to provide attractive homes that workers can afford and their neighbors appreciate."

“The development of workforce housing is one of the most serious issues facing Long Island,” said Islip Town Supervisor Pete McGowan. “Such housing can be developed, and it has been developed successfully in our town, but more should be built all across Long Island. This will allow us to retain our educated and skilled workforce by offering them housing options that they can afford.”

The private sector also understands this bill’s importance. "Northrop Grumman in Bethpage has been hiring new graduates, most of them from Long Island or New York state colleges and universities. However, within two or three years after we train and assimilate them, these young workers won't be able to afford to enter the Long Island housing market," says Philip A. Teel, sector vice president, Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems. "This is a serious problem for the Long Island economy. We need to act now, before these quality young people continue their careers in other states where they are able to buy homes. If we don't, Long Island companies and, therefore, our economy, will lose. That's why we're actively participating in this initiative."

The preliminary list of bill supporters include:

Long Island Association Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy Long Island Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO Diocese of Rockville Center Catholic Charities of Long Island Long Island Council of Churches Islamic Center of Long Island Long Island Builders Institute L.I. Campaign for Affordable Rental Housing Health and Welfare Council /Nassau County Suffolk Community Council Northrop Grumman Corp. Long Island Building Trades Council Bakers Local 3 RWDSU-Local 338 IBT-Local 237 ILA-Local 342 IBT-Local 282 CWA-Local 1104 CSEA-Region 1 OPEIU-Local 153 GCIU-Local 406 UFCW-Local 1500 CSEA-Local 106 District Council No. 9 Laborers-Local 1298 UAW ATU Long Island Housing Partnership Long Island Progressive Coalition Society of St. Vincent dePaul ACORN BFCU Nassau Suffolk Coalition for the Homeless Sustainable Long Island Community Advocates Vision Long Island Community Housing Innovations Housing Help Huntington Housing Coalition NAMI Nassau/Queens Wyandanch Homes and Development Corp. Residents for a More Beautiful Syosset Long Island Housing Services Adelphi Univ. School of Social Work Central Nassau Guidance & Counseling Child Care Council of Nassau Child Care Council of Suffolk Community Development Corp. of L.I. Clubhouse of Suffolk Family & Children’s Association Family Service League of Suffolk FEGS LI Habitat for Humanity/Suffolk Hofstra Univ. Dept. of Health Professions & family Studies Hope for Youth Intergenerational Strategies Long Beach Reach Long Island Housing Services Long Island Volunteer Center Mental Health Association/Nassau Nassau Coalition Against Domestic Violence Peconic Community Council Port Counseling Center Retreat, Inc. Rosa Lee Young Childcare Center Skills Unlimited, Inc. South Shore Child Guidance Transitional Services of Long Island Suffolk Coalition of Community Mental Health Service Providers Victims Information Bureau/Suffolk Adelphi University St. Mary's Hospital for Children Shelter Island Housing Options YMCA of LI Concern for Independent Living Access for All/Homes for All Family Service League MercyHaven Listnet New Directions