Hempstead Town Makes 'Sweeping Reforms' To Section 8 Program

TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD, NY — Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin announced that the town was making "sweeping reforms" to its Section 8 housing program. Clavin said the changes will fix shortcomings in the town's program, which provides housing assistance to economically disadvantaged residents.

Clavin and the Town Board today approved an agreement that authorizes Clavin to formally request the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) transfer the Section 8 housing program from the Department of Urban Renewal to the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal.

“Before I entered office, the Town of Hempstead’s Section 8 housing program was certainly in dire straits, and was not addressed by the previous administration,” Clavin said. “As soon as I identified the issues, we took immediate action and met with several key officials and experts to formulate a plan that will enhance this vital housing assistance program for the betterment of our residents in need of housing assistance.”

Clavin explained that moving the program from HUD to state oversight will speed up the system in the town, as HUD is overworked and has too many programs to deal with. Being administered by the state will also give the town better access to representatives.

The deficiencies in the town's Section 8 program were first brought to light in a Newsday story published in May. It was reported that the town had $1.3 million in unused funds from the federal government for the program, despite a waiting list of thousands of people.

"When the initial report came out, 99 percent of all those deficiencies took place before I got here," said Clavin, who was sworn in as supervisor in January. "But i'm the supervisor now, and I have the responsibility."

Clavin promised to make changes to the system within 45 days, and he did. He said he worked with people from both HUD and the state, and that they were very accommodating to set up calls and share information during the pandemic.

The Town of Hempstead passed a resolution today to formally begin the transfer process. If all goes well, Clavin said the state should take over by Sept. 1.