Photo: Legislator Nick Caracappa (C-Selden) left and Legislator Trish Bergin (R-East Islip) right (Credit – Matt Meduri)
The conversation on affordable housing reached new heights at Tuesday’s general meeting, as the Legislature approved Resolution 1103 to authorize funding of infrastructure improvements and property oversight for a proposed affordable housing building.
The proposed dwelling, called Algeria North, would be located in the Town of Babylon and would offer a series of units for certain vulnerable populations. Algeria North is set to consist of eighty-one units, eighty of which will be affordable rentals units, with twenty-one units set aside for special needs populations, nine units for those reentering the community from incarceration, and twelve for those with serious mental illness with referrals and supportive services provided by Concern for Independent Living.
The resolution was endorsed and vocally supported during the public portion of the meeting by New Hour Long Island Executive Director Serena Martin-Liguori and Sarah Lansdale, Commissioner of the Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Planning.
“We would be vetting women for the nine units that would be allocated for women and mothers who have been incarcerated,” said Martin-Ligouri. “The women meet with us through the Sheriff’s contract that we have. We assist them and provide a social worker. They’re required to not have any violations of parole or probation. And in order to qualify for these nine units, they have to be employed and have a history of stability and employment. So this is not for women who are coming directly out of the jail the day they’re released. It might be a year later or two years later. These are apartments that we want to see for our women who are thriving as mothers and as parents in the community.”
Legislators objected to the plan to merge former inmates and mentally unstable individuals with battered women and special needs residents.
“Somebody commits a crime and they go to jail, and I have to pay approximately $130,000 a year to house that individual because they decided to commit a crime,” said Legislator Trish Bergin (R-East Islip). “And then when they get out of jail, two or three years later, we’re still subsidizing this individual?”
Bergin also expressed concerns that language could eventually be changed to allow formerly incarcerated men into the unit. She also expressed concern over violent offenders being eligible for the housing.
“Let’s say we have a single mother who is living in this unit because it’s affordable and she’s a working mom and she’s got a latch key kid who’s coming home to an unsupervised situation,” said Bergin. “So, now we have incarcerated individuals who are now being mixed in with women and children, some of these kids coming home from school, then we also have individuals with mental instabilities, all in one building. I’m not going to support this. I think it’s dangerous. I think it’s irresponsible. While I get that your goal is kind-hearted, I don’t think this model is going to work and I fear for the safety of the most vulnerable individuals in our society.”
“You have senior citizens and young people, who are struggling to get apartments, to pay for these things, but now we’re going to give it to people who have been arrested,” said Legislator Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga). “It makes no logical sense. And then, on top of that, they’re going to be in with people with developmental disabilities who are potentially easily victimized. I couldn’t think of a better recipe for disaster. There’s no way I would ever support this.”
“I think the intention of this bill is excellent, I have no issue with those who have done time and those with developmental disabilities being supported,” said Legislator Leslie Kennedy (R-Nesconset). “Getting additional housing is marvelous, but putting them together is a recipe for disaster. I just yesterday spoke with an agency that deals with those with developmental disabilities, and I tried to ask in my most non-opinionated way if this was a good idea, and they lost their minds. They said that these people are suggestible. They do not have good judgment 90% of the time. I think we should build them separately or divide the building, but this way I cannot support it.”
Majority Leader Nick Caracappa (C-Selden) provided a different view on the project than those of his colleagues.
“I just want to say thank you for what you do for these women, these parents. Everybody makes mistakes,” said Caracappa. “You’re providing an opportunity, and it’s up to them [the recipients] to carry on. The amount of requirements and eligibilities that New Hour requires, and I’ll name just a few, proof of employment, no history of probation, parole violations, completion of a signed agreement, engagement letter, with New Hour agreeing to both communicate and maintain an active relationship with the agency staff during the duration of their stay in the housing, for the duration, and anyone with a sex offense is automatically precluded. Those are just some of the requirements out of a list of them. I think you’re doing fantastic work with most of these women who are either victims of domestic abuse or have some kind of substance abuse issues that have been on the path of recovery to finding stability for themselves and their children. If not for these opportunities, these individuals would probably be in County facilities or homeless or receiving some kind of County benefits. I support this 100%.”
Debate ended in a contentious vote, wherein Legislator Anthony Piccirillo (R-Holtsville) called for a point of order before the vote to adopt the resolution entered roll call. Piccirillo requested a vote to appeal, seconded by Trotta, which resulted in a 10-6 failure, with Legislator Steve Englebright (D-Setauket) joining the caucus to approve the appeal. Legislator Chad Lennon (R-Rocky Point) abstained and Legislator Tom Donnelly (D-Deer Park) was not present.
The Legislature then voted to approve the resolution with thirteen votes.
