Parents, essential workers, young professionals, business owners, seniors and community leaders across Long Island agree that our antiquated model for creating community housing has failed us and that we need a new approach.
The Peconic Bay Community Housing Fund, passed by referendum in the four East End towns in 2022, demonstrates that our East End residents agree. And in a January 2023 Newsday poll, 70 percent of Long Islanders said housing options on the island were a problem.
The New York Housing Compact, proposed in this year’s state budget, due April 1, 2023, provides the tools that local governments need to create more housing for local residents.
Forward-looking elected officials will see the goals for housing as a relief, and exactly what they need to address the housing crisis. They will use their local control to work with planners and the community to develop and implement housing plans. Elected officials who are true leaders won’t require state oversight and will work with all parties to strengthen their community’s human infrastructure.
If we don’t take action now, our housing shortage may soon lead to paid firefighters and EMTs (resulting in higher taxes), and closed businesses (resulting in loss of tax revenues). Last summer, we experienced beaches without lifeguards. Today, we are seeing teacher shortages, and understaffed village, town and county offices, because those who work those jobs can’t afford to live here and won’t tolerate the daily trade parade to and from the East End. The exodus of young people and families due to the housing shortage has been profound in recent years and shows no sign of slowing down.
While there’s room for improvement in the New York Housing Compact, it is not “one-size-fits-all,” as opponents have claimed. Improvements, such as requiring more affordability in the housing targets and increased funding to protect water quality on Long Island, are adjustments we’re confident the legislature can and will negotiate in the final bill.
We support the New York Housing Compact. We are excited to see what the next three years will bring to our beloved communities, and we’re confident it will help build a brighter future for us all.
Michael Daly
Founder
East End YIMBY
Sag Harbor
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