Greenburgh May Require Some Assisted Living Units to be Affordable for Seniors

BRIGHTVIEW SENIOR LIVING OFFERS 20% DISCOUNTS ON ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY FOR 10 OF 90 PROPOSED UNITS PLUS SIX MONTHS RENTAL RATE DISCOUNTS…

I would like to introduce legislation to require 10% of all new assisted living apartments to be more affordable

  Assisted living facilities provide a better quality of life for the elderly. It's preferable to nursing homes. Unfortunately,it is very expensive. When Brightview Senior LIving approached the town requesting permission to build an assisted living facility for 90 residents in our community (across from the Marriott/Sheraton Hotels near the Tarrytown border), I asked that some of the units be affordable. I am pleased to share the following e mail with you that I received from Brightview's attorney. 10 of the 90 units will be more affordable (20% discounts).  I think this is very exciting. Could set a county-wide precedent.

  I will be suggesting legislation before the Town Board asking for a requirement that a minimum of 10% of assisted living facilities be more affordable. I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts about assisted living facilities and affordability.  If you are interested in being advised of assisted living facility opportunities for you or a loved one, please get back to me.

  Thanks for your input. Brightview has not received their approvals as of yet. If you would like to attend an information meeting  and learn more about the proposal and have your questions answered - please advise.

   Years ago Greenburgh became the first local government in the region to require 10% of all new housing in new complexes to be affordable.  With our population aging and more assisted living facilities being proposed around the county – it’s my hope that we will again be leaders in providing some of our residents with the opportunity to move into more affordable units.

PAUL FEINER

THIS IS THE LETTER I RECIEVED ADVISING OF THE DISCOUNTS and more affordable units…

Supervisor Feiner,

On behalf of our client, Brightview Senior Living, I wanted to give you an update about the project.  In light of the request that you and the Town Board made for our client to consider including an additional element of affordability into this exciting, assisted living project, Brightview has decided to offer two programs to address your articulated concerns.

First, Brightview is prepared to offer the “Greenburgh Charter Club.”   This is a program that would extend up to six (6) months rental rate discounts (between $500 to $1,000 per month) for residents who make the move within the first 30 days of opening of the new Brightview at Greenburgh.  That savings, which we anticipate would be made available to community members at the earliest possible date, could literally amount to $6,000.00 per resident!

Second, Brightview is prepared to offer up to ten (10) residents of moderate income levels within this 90 unit residential facility a  reduced rental rate (approximately 20% of monthly charges). We think this second program is not only consistent with the spirit of the Town’s desire to facilitate reduced housing expenses for deserving individuals, but also would result in reducing the cost of food and assisted living services which are covered as part of the monthly rental charges.

We believe that with your help, these reduced rates and special discounts will be made available to Greenburgh residents.  We look forward to discussing these programs with you and the Town Board at the Work Session meeting next Tuesday, September 11, 2012.

If you have any questions, or wish to further discuss this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me.

David

David S. Steinmetz, Esq.

Zarin & Steinmetz