Politics & Government
No Senior Housing Developed Near Harbor Homes
Community stakeholders will work together to find another suitable location.
The North Hempstead Housing Authority is withdrawing its application for approval for affordable senior housing at Harbor Homes. Instead, Port Washington community leaders and the Housing Authority will work together to find an alternative location.
“All agree that the community needs affordable housing,” Supervisor Jon Kaiman said. “They made a good faith commitment to work together with the Housing Authority.”
The Housing Authority will withdraw its application on March 8 at the Town Board meeting, Kaiman added.
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This decision was reached on Thursday evening at a meeting in Kaiman’s office, with community stakeholders including representatives from Residents for A More Beautiful Port Washington, the League of Women Voters, and those from the Housing Authority, said Curt Trinko, Chairman of Residents. The news comes just days after a heated public hearing on the proposal, held at Town Hall.
“The people have come together,” Kaiman said. “I think it’s a good thing.”
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“We’re elated,” Trinko said.
“I think that is was clear that people are not against senior housing,” he added. But the community took issue with the location. Trinko pointed out that the site is open space that was “used for 50 years as a playground.” Other concerns included those regarding traffic, water supply and a lack of transparency regarding the development, Trinko said.
In addition to looking for a new location for affordable housing, Trinko said, the group will also talk with Harbor Homes and the Housing Authority about converting Alvin Petrus Park into parkland.
“It needs work,” Trinko said. At a time when government funding is tight, “it may need sweat equity done by the parents.”
Asked abut turning the site into parkland, Kaiman said, “It’s not public property. It’s not our call. That’s up to the Housing Authority. That’s a different issue. It’s not before the Town Board.”
Meanwhile, Trinko remained upbeat. “It’s democracy in action – a lot of work, and late hours. We feel very good about this.”
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