East End's Affordable Housing Crisis Spotlight Of Upcoming 'Convening'

SAG HARBOR, NY — The lack of affordable housing has reached a crisis point on the East End, with longtime locals and workers finding themselves without options or resources.

To that end, The Church in Sag Harbor is set to bring together elected officials, community leaders and others for "The Affordable Community Housing Convening."

The event, which takes place at The Church at 48 Madison Street, costs $35 and takes place on Thursday, May 19.

"The East End is grappling with a housing shortage and a crisis of affordability," a release said. "Affordable community housing for workers and their families is critical to keep the East End vibrant and our local economy thriving."

To "unpack this complex issue", The Church said that it is bringing together community leaders, legislators, developers, and the financial industry to explore some of the key issues at stake.

The full day event will include a review of current efforts to address affordability on the East End, a discussion of solutions developed in similar communities nationally, and an effort to address the role the cultural community can play.

“Affordable housing is not a luxury, it’s a human necessity. Our work at OLA affords us an often dark view of how demand for labor coupled with almost nonexistent housing options exponentially increase exploitation,” said Minerva Perez, Executive Director of OLA, an East End advocacy group for Latino immigrants.

Assembly member Fred W. Thiele, Jr. added: "The qualities that make Sag Harbor and the East End such wonderful and welcoming places to live are at risk in a housing market that prices out local families. At this crucial moment, it has never been more important to reach consensus at the community level on the actions we must take to preserve the unique character of our community."

The event will feature a series of expert panels and case-studies and conclude with a town hall, moderated by Ellen Dioguardi of 27east and Michael Daly of East End YIMBY.