MINUTES

HOUSING COMMITTEE

 

MARCH 19, 2001

 

 

PRESENT:  Legislators Lois Bronz and Bernice Spreckman, Barbara Dodds, Jean Cloidt

 

GUESTS:            Toni Downes, Westchester Residential Organization, Norma Drummond, Planning, Bill Randolph, County Executive’s

 

 

Meeting called to order at 3:10 p.m. by Chairwoman Bronz.

 

Lois Bronz indicated that Housing has had multiple meetings with Community Affairs and that those minutes should be merged with ours.

 

Lois Bronz introduced Toni Downes from Westchester Residential Organization who presented to the committee the average advertised rents in Westchester for the year 2000.  She also presented a sample  list that they compile three times a week on available apartments in Westchester County.  They provide this information to consumers and also community agencies, shelters that have low income families.  She stated that the numbers are very high.  They use the Gannett and Pennysaver.

 

On their yearly list where there are zeros that means that there were no apartments available in that municipality.  She stated that very low income families are having difficulties finding apartments because of the rents.

 

Toni stated that the rents listed are the average because they don’t include the subsidized rents, which are not included in here.  The list does not have the ones by brokers also. 

 

Lois stated that this morning at the Budget meeting the Commissioner of Social Services related that D.S.S. is pursuing Section 8 vouchers and is trying to establish the County as an entity to meet the needs of residents of Westchester.  One of the problems is getting landlords to accept them.  Yonkers is the only community that advertised that they would accept Section 8 housing vouchers.

 

According to Toni they are finding that in their Senior Department, seniors are having a hard time because landlords are choosing not to re-enroll in Section 8.  This is causing Seniors difficulty in keeping their apartments.  They are trying everything in their power to keep these landlords. 

 

Norma stated that they are having an Outreach program for landlords at the County Center on April 5^th from 3 – 8 p.m.  HUD is cosponsoring it, they are trying to demystify Section 8 for landlords.  They have advertised this program and the County Executive has done a press release on it. 

 

Legislator Bronz related a referral where a Senior was living with her daughter, the daughter passed away and her grandsons did not make her feel comfortable but when she was referred to WRO they were able to help her relocate which really made a difference in her life.

 

WRO has support from government agencies which helps them help First Home Buyers, CBDG grant, Office of Community Mental Health, Planning Department, City of White Plains.  They all work together to try to find housing for people.  Too low income there is very little that they are able to help them because of what people can afford and what is available. 

 

They also have an Eviction Prevention Grant whereby they are able to pay one months rents, sometimes security, also possibly prevent Mortgage default.

 

They also work with Salvation Army as they are able to help with Con Ed bills and this helps put a package together.  They also work with Westchester Legal Services.

 

Norma Drummond stated that the County was awarded 220 new Section 8 vouchers and they have been calling people on their list, so recently there has been movement on their list.

 

Legislator Bronz stated that on April 19^th – Housing Resource Center will be open to the community.  This has been a major project organized by Stanley Schear in conjunction with United Way mission to help promote access to affordable housing.  On the 19^th they will introduce board members and talk about their objectives.

 

Discussion continued with regards to Seniors and Handicapped.  Housing for disabled is difficult because of accessibility but could possibly live in the same housing.  Suggestion was to have Richard Manley come in one day and speak to the committee regarding handicapped housing. 

 

Minutes were held off on until April 2^nd meeting so that they can be reviewed.

 

Agenda referrals:

 

1. Motion to receive and file – Moved by Bronz seconded by Spreckman

 

2.  Motion to receive and file – Moved by Bronz seconded by Spreckman

 

3.  Citizen communication – hold

 

4.  Bond Act – hold – Sit in on Budget meetings and observe

 

Discussion centered on Outreach meetings and it was decided that we would work with Housing Resource Center.

 

Motion made by Bronz to adjourn – Seconded by Spreckman.   Meeting adjourned at 3:50 p.m.