New County Laws Require Affordable Developments To Set Aside Units for Veterans, Individuals With Disabilities

New laws in Suffolk County require affordable housing developments that receive county funding to set aside units for veterans and people with intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities.

County Executive Steve Bellone signed the legislation this month, and the county’s planning commission is adding a veterans advocate to its ranks to support housing efforts.

“Suffolk County has the largest population of veterans in New York State, so it’s important that we support them in any way we can,” Bellone said. “I am proud that these two pieces of legislation will not only ensure accessible and secure housing for our esteemed veterans, but also to individuals living with disabilities here on Long Island. Today, we take a significant step forward in our commitment to fostering an inclusive community where every resident has a place to call home.”

Any affordable housing development that receives county funding will be required to set aside at least five units for veterans — though no more than 10 percent in the development. Likewise, at least five units must be set aside for individuals with developmental disabilities with incomes at 60 percent or below the area median income, and at least five ground-floor or elevator-accessible units for individuals with disabilities, though, again, no more than 10 percent of units would be required to be set aside.

The units will be set aside in perpetuity and must be spread throughout the development, under the new laws.

“With the Legislature’s unanimous support and the county executive’s signing of these two pieces of legislation, we are not only providing increased opportunities for those within our veterans and special needs communities, we are also paving the way for the rest of New York State and the country to follow our lead when it comes to addressing the housing needs for these individuals that have been overlooked for far too long,” Legislator Nick Caracappa said. “Today, Suffolk County recognizes and has taken a tremendous step forward in addressing the vital needs of housing by providing such opportunities to our veteran and special needs community members who are ready, willing and able to begin a life with the dignity and independence they all deserve.”

There are more than 14,000 individuals on Long Island with disabilities and the majority of them are living at home with aging caregivers, according to the county executive’s office.

The veterans advocate who will join the planning commission will be in addition to attorney Stephanie Baldwin, who was appointed last summer to represent and advocate on behalf of individuals with disabilities.