Displaced Nassau Seniors Need 'Humanitarian Help': Legislator

ELMONT, NY — Dozens of residents of an Elmont senior housing complex remain displaced in the wake of last week's massive flooding.

Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages (D-Elmont) said the buildings on Foster Meadow Lane have been prone to weather problems.

"Every time there is a decent rainstorm, flooding occurs at the very bottom of the facility," Solages told Patch.

The legislator said he's contacted the county and town to tackle the concern that has affected his constituents. But Solages said the building management "refused to fix and address the issue."

The Sept. 29 rain caused one-day records at nearby JFK Airport and Valley Stream, causing the county's only senior housing to be evacuated. Between 200 and 300 residents were displaced.

As the weather got worse, Solages said he called County Executive Bruce Blakeman and Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder to anticipate the challenges in Elmont.

"They were very responsive," he said.

Up to 100 people remain out of their homes and Solages wants them to "have stable housing in the meantime."

Aside from the cleanup, Solages said the complex needs upgrades.

"There's an ongoing fire code violation where they don't have safety panels and fire alarms," he contended. "It's not safe for people to live in that condition."

Solages is calling for a state investigation by Attorney General Letitia James to look out for the most vulnerable members of the community, to see if "the management company had reserve funds and didn't make the necessary repairs."

The displaced residents also are in need of more than decent living conditions.

"We're asking for humanitarian assistance. We thank the Red Cross for helping them, but they need ongoing, continuing help," Solages said.