Letters

Most of those who control the type of housing that gets built in our communities are older, established officials and residents who live in single-family homes that they have owned for years. Most don’t either understand, are not paying attention to, or don’t have empathy for, the changes that have taken place in our communities and throughout the United States.

While the “typical American household” in 1960 was a mother, father, and two children and couples were more common than singles, times have changed and we must make room for the types of housing residents need today.

AARP’s Making Room Report points out that 28 percent of our population are single adults who live alone. Nuclear families account for only 20 percent (1 in 5) of today’s households; 32 percent (1 in 3) of young adults live at home; 27 percent (1 in 4) of children live with a single parent; more than 50 percent of U.S. households comprise just one or two people.

Yet, less than 12 percent (1 in 8) of our homes are studios or 1 bedroom and over 60 percent are three bedrooms or more.

AARP also reports that single-parent household income is typically less than 50 percent of dual-parent income (makes sense), but since our housing has been built for the “nuclear family” and because zoning doesn’t allow building apartments, our communities don’t have the type of housing people need or can afford today; both for sale and for rent. Add to that the sharp rise in the cost of childcare, food, and car ownership and we see the pickle so many of our residents are in.

AARP also reports that the United States is aging rapidly. It’s projected that 22 percent of Americans will be 65 or older in 2050. In the Town of Southampton, that number already reached 22 percent in 2020. In East Hampton, it’s 22.2 percent, Southold is 31.5 percent.

AARP asks: Where will our adult children live if they want to remain in the community? Where will downsizing empty nesters move to? With an average “Hamptons” home selling for $3 million, who knows?

In a vibrant second-home and investor market, like the East End, where smaller homes are being bought and transformed into McMansions and luxury short-term rentals without any restrictions, and smaller homes on smaller lots and apartments are not permitted, this continues to be a recipe for disaster for young and old alike. That’s our reality.

We need to think about the way we are living and rethink the way we do housing. Think smaller, more affordable, walkable, and less car-centric. Think about making room in a changing America.

I know we can.

Michael Daly

East End YIMBY

Sag Harbor