NEW CITY, NY – County Executive Ed Day has publicly stated his opposition to the proposed Faith-Based Affordable Housing Act introduced by New York State Senator Andrew Gounardes. The proposed legislation aims to allow the development of affordable housing on residential land, bypassing local zoning requirements in the process.
The legislation comes at a contentious time in Rockland County history, as local government grapple with increased illegal housing issues, several in the past 3 years which either injured or killed first responders, including Firefighter Jared Lloyd in 2021.
While acknowledging the pressing housing challenges facing Rockland County and New York State, County Executive Day criticized what he perceives as continuous efforts by Governor Kathy Hochul and her allies to undermine home rule – the authority of local governments to manage their own affairs. “We are fed up with the constant attacks on home rule,” Day stated, expressing a desire for state support of existing local laws rather than assaults on them.
Day argues that Albany’s “one-size-fits-all” approach fails to recognize the unique needs of local communities, which he believes are best understood by local municipalities. He emphasized his administration’s commitment to supporting local efforts to enhance housing stock, including hosting the second Housing Forum in April.
Highlighting potential risks associated with bypassing local regulations, Day referenced the unprecedented action by the New York State Department of State to delegate building and fire code inspections to Rockland County in the Village of Spring Valley. This move came as a response to severe illegal housing issues and underscores the importance of adhering to Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code Standards to ensure public safety.
Asserting the proposed act’s contradiction to the New York State Constitution, Day vows to stand against any plan that undermines home rule regulations and municipal zoning ordinances. “My Administration will keep all our options open in order to stop this plan in its tracks,” he affirmed.
This statement from the County Executive reflects the ongoing debate over how best to address affordable housing needs while respecting local governance and regulatory standards.