Questions Raised About Affordable Housing Options For Minorities

SOUTHOLD, NY — Members of the Southold Anti-Bias Task Force came before the town board Tuesday to raise awareness about an issue related to affordable housing.

Led by co-chair Val Shelby, who outlined the ABTF's accomplishments both past and in the future — including the recent Helen W. Prince Award ceremony and the annual Unity picnic, and the upcoming Martin Luther King ceremony and Synergy events — also mentioned a new scholarship that will be given to high school students.

ABTF member Susan Dingle acknowledged, with gratitude, the support the group receives from the town board in a changing world. "The relationship is one of mutual support and learning. We are all learning in this world, learning together what it means to create a bias-free community," she said.

The ABTF then brought up an issue they wanted to clarify, about affordable housing opportunities in the town and preference that they believed would be given to first responders.

"We believe first responders deserve acknowledgment," Dingle said. "At the same time, we wanted to point out to you that inadvertently, without intending to do so, by privileging these folks in terms of getting very difficult-to-come-by housing, it's going to have an impact on other communities — particularly on minority communities."

The ABTF asked questions about the town's affordable housing registry — and whether it would be comprised of one registry for all applicants — and how many units would be set aside for first responders. They also asked for some specifics about the availability of this "very rare affordable housing. It's so rare that we want to bring it to your attention" and note that, in fact, prioritizing first responders might result in "discrimination, a kind of bias," Dingle said.

The ABTF said they were looking for clarification and details.

Southold Town Attorney Bill Duffy and Southold Town Government Liaison Denis Noncarrow spoke; Noncarrow assured that the new Vineyard View project, which will bring 50 affordable units to the North Fork, would not be impacted by the decision to give priority to first responders. Duffy explained that the concept applies to affordable housing overlay districts only; each of those applications will be considered on a case by case basis and require public hearings.

Preference would not be given to first responders in cases of other affordable housing initiatives in town such as conversions of existing structures in town to affordable housing units, or accessory apartments, Duffy said. The notion only applied to affordable housing overlay districts, he said.

The board then discussed with the ABTF the challenges of finding individuals who might qualify for affordable housing; while they might be able to fall under the appropriate guidelines, some might not be able to secure mortgages.

Councilman Jim Dinizio said even people with children, working three jobs, might not fall within the affordable housing guidelines; all agreed there were challenges and hurdles to overcome.

Shelby thanked the board for the clarification; Dinizio said the issue of minorities and affordable housing was important and said if you don't ask questions, you don't get answers.

"It is still an important consideration," Dingle said. "I think we are all learning to be more sensitive to the issues. We are just glad to have the opportunity to give you something to consider, moving forward."

Shelby assured that the ABTF believes first responders deserve affordable housing. "We don't want to take anything away from anyone. We just want to make sure everyone is added." She continued, "You know you did a good job picking us to be watchdogs."

Councilman Bill Ruland noted the value of discussion. "You almost always come away with a better understanding, and that's a good thing."

Shelby agreed. "We didn't want to hammer a point here. We wanted to have a discussion."

And, said Dingle: "This is how a bias-free community grows — through dialogue and through sharing and understanding."