Forum Focuses On Rockland’s Housing Challenges
New City, NY, – Rockland County Executive Ed Day, Community Development Director Alexandra Obremski, and Human Rights Commissioner Spencer Chiimbwe are hosting the first-ever Rockland County Housing Forum on April 21st with major stakeholders including developers, lenders, Department of Social Services, HUD, and more to strategize how to overcome Rockland’s housing challenges.
The event will also include early findings of the County’s first-ever comprehensive community and affordable housing needs assessment.
“If we can rescue this County from the brink of bankruptcy, we can find a way to make it affordable for all,” said County Executive Ed Day. “And when I say all, I’m referring to our essential workers, our teachers, our first responders; all of whom are having a hard time affording a home in this County. We are not looking for a license to overdevelop we are simply taking a thoughtful approach to help us figure out the best way to address the housing challenges residents are facing.”
The forum is being held in April in honor of Fair Housing Month and additionally in recognition of Community Development Week (April 10-14), as Community Development Block Grant funding has existed since 1975 to provide local governments with resources to develop viable communities by providing affordable housing and expanding economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income levels.
“Safe, decent, and affordable housing is a building block of strong communities. By bringing so many experts in the field of housing together, it is my hope that this forum fosters new ideas, connections, and relationships so that Rockland County can become a leader in the responsible development of workforce and affordable housing,” said Community Development Director Alexandra Obremski.
“This forum will not only bring stakeholders in the housing field together, but will reaffirm local, state, national, and international positions on fair housing as a human right. The Human Rights Commission encourages the community to harness resources to fair housing that will be made available throughout the forum and beyond,” said Human Rights Commissioner Spencer Chiimbwe.
When: Friday, April 21st, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Rockland County Fire Training Center, 35 Firemen’s Memorial Drive, Pomona, NY