In his third biennial report, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development monitor James Johnson suggested that the U.S. Department of Justice take legal action against seven municipalities, including the town/village of Harrison.
As a result of a 2009 settlement with HUD, Westchester County must develop 750 affordable housing units in 31 predominantly white communities, including Harrison, by the end of 2016.
Johnson’s report, released on April 29, concluded that the county had reached all of its annual benchmarks and is in compliance with the settlement, but listed seven municipalities whose zonings were considered exclusionary.
Johnson reported that these municipalities had zoning restrictions, lack of development incentives and an overall lack of progress in meeting the region’s affordable housing needs.
In turn, the monitor suggested that the Justice Department pursue litigation against these communities.
Westchester County Legislator David Gelfarb, a Rye Brook Republican who represents Harrison, said the monitor’s recommendation to file charges against a municipality was without legal merit.
“The settlement, in the first place, never contemplated the [Department of Justice] suing individual towns,” he said. “Harrison has no obligations under the settlement because Harrison never signed the settlement.”
Gelfarb added that while the settlement mandates details such as how many units may be considered rentals or may be designated for seniors by age restriction, it does not specify how many units must be developed in each of the 31 municipalities.
However, since Harrison is yet to make any inroads on the affordable housing front, the county recently stepped in.
In September 2015, the county purchased a two-bedroom condo unit on West Street in Harrison to convert into an affordable housing unit. The county bought the unit for $296,355, and is listing it for $175,000.
Harrison officials contend that The Avalon development planned near the Harrison Metro-North station is expected to deem 20 percent of its 143 units as affordable housing upon completion of the project.
