Bursting The Affordable Housing Bubble: Affordable Housing Met With Opposition

I just got back from a mini-vaca and, while the rest of the country “is” catching up (slowly), it never ceases to amaze me at what others consider “affordable” housing. In fact, more often than not, picturesque homes with top of the line amenities are on par (cost-wise) with what most of our starter homes, often in dire need of improvements and repair are costing most of us here on Long Island.

And, while more truly affordable housing may be just what Long Island needs, some new housing projects are being met with a bit of opposition by local residents.

It seems that Yaphank residents are against two new proposals geared at bringing a little over 1,800 units of affordable housing to the area. However, they do support some of the amenities that these new developments are offering such as an ice hockey arena, restaurants and additional entertainment venues.

The low-income, next-generation homes, if approved, will be built on a portion of the local 880-acre Yaphank county center. And, based on the plans of one developer, the development will feature 2,336 housing units, 1,836 reserved for affordable housing; a 4,500 seat hockey arena, a 50,000-square-foot sports center, a hotel and some office space.

Another developer is calling for 2,000 housing unites, 600 to be designated to affordable housing, a 4,000-seat hockey arena, a soccer/lacrosse complex, office space and a performing arts center.

Each proposal is approximately slated at over $500 million according to officials.

And, while some young adults are praising the projects, some county officials, while they had called for similar projects suggests that the proposed plans simply go overboard.

Others in the area “fear” that the new development will transform the neighborhood and also affect the scenery and amount of open space, putting homes on almost every square foot of land left.

They suggest making Long Island more affordable for the upcoming generation by spreading out the availability of affordable housing throughout The Island, instead of concentrating it in just one spot.