By Dan Murphy
Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner is certainly one of the more interesting elected officials in Westchester. For the past two decades, Feiner has continued to make “out of the box” suggestions, while keeping the nuts and bolts of town government operating smoothly, and keeping property tax increases to a minimum.
Feiner has unveiled another interesting proposal: require 10 percent of all assisted living-senior housing beds to be set aside as affordable, much the same way that new development projects in Westchester require 10 percent of apartments be set aside for low- and middle-income residents and families.
“Your help is wanted,” he said. “I am planning to introduce legislation that would require 10 percent of all new beds in future assisted living facilities that have not yet been approved by the town to be affordable. A few months ago I was speaking to a woman who told me that during the last months of her mom’s life she was paying up to $22,000 a month for all services at an assisted living facility.
“Is that the norm or unusual? I’d like to know. There are many luxury assisted living facilities in the area but I am not aware of any moderately priced facilities. Most Greenburgh residents cannot afford the assisted living facilities located in our area.
“If any family member lives at an assisted living facility, how much do you pay each month? What is the base fee? What about extras? How much does it quickly add up to each month? Please identify the facilities and the locations (municipality, county, state).
“Assisted living facilities pay significant taxes to local governments – they are for-profit businesses,” continued Feiner. “They have a right as a business to market their facilities to people who can pay for the services they offer. The school districts receive a few-hundred-thousand dollars a year in taxes from these facilities and it costs them nothing – no additional children. And, assisted living facilities usually generate little traffic.
“I will compile the responses I receive and share them with the community and Town Board in advance of the Jan. 9 public hearing. I will also share your comments with other municipal, county, state and federal officials from around the county – hoping to encourage all officials to address this problem.
“We have a growing aging population and most people cannot afford the assisted living facilities that are being built around the county. Your thoughts are welcome. I also welcome any other suggestions. What can we do to encourage the development of less expensive assisted living?”
The Town of Greenburgh local law titled Assisting Living Facilities would amend the Town Code to require that all new assisted living facilities developed in the town provide a minimum of 10 percent of living units for persons whose annual incomes meet Westchester County’s affordable housing guidelines and comply with Westchester County’s Model Fair Housing Ordinance,” concluded Feiner.
