Suffolk bill would cut county funds to landlords for overcrowding, unsafe conditions

A proposed Suffolk County bill will allow the county to cut off funding to landlords receiving rental payments through the Department of Social Services if the homes fail to comply with building and zoning codes.

Lawmakers say they aim to crack down on overcrowding and unsafe conditions that imperil people housed through programs like Temporary Housing Assistance, which supports people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

The county already has the power to withhold public assistance if the housing is "dangerous, hazardous or detrimental to life or health," according to the code. The legislation adds additional language if there is noncompliance with zoning code and building code requirements.

"We’re putting people’s lives in jeopardy and we’re aware of it," Legis. Nick Caracappa (C-Selden), a lead sponsor of the bill, said. "Taxpayer money shouldn’t be going to funding homes that are putting people in jeopardy."

While proponents of the bill say it’s a necessary step to address growing quality-of-life issues in neighborhoods like Mastic Beach and Coram — citing examples like a home with a Charbroil grill in place of an oven, homes with mazes of extra walls and strained wastewater systems due to overcrowding — housing advocates say it could curtail an already limited inventory of housing for a vulnerable population.

Legis. James Mazzarella (R-Moriches) said the legislation he cosponsored aims to compel the county to alert municipalities of where DSS intends to place a resident. The municipality would need to inspect the home to make sure it’s up to code before the person is placed there, he said.

"We need to protect the people that are living in these places," Mazzarella said. "We need to protect the residents that live around them."

Between January and May 2024, the county assisted 495 homeless families and 623 single adults with emergency housing, according to the most recent budget. The budget includes $85 million in contractual expenses for "assistance programs" under "Safety Net."

Caracappa said property owners often instruct building managers or tenants to deny any inspector access and the system allows the landlords to reap benefits at the expense of residents.

"We have to dismantle that business model," he said.

Michael Martino, a spokesman for County Executive Edward P. Romaine, deferred an interview request with DSS to the legislature. The legislators said it’s unclear precisely how much the county spends on DSS placements. 

Brookhaven Supervisor Dan Panico told Newsday the rentals have been a "longtime concern" of his, saying DSS placements throughout the town have "had a very negative effect on the quality of life of those neighborhoods."

He said New York State allows DSS to "bypass local housing codes and that is something that needs to change."

He said Brookhaven is ready to step up inspections and enforcement.

Greta Guarton, executive director of Long Island Coalition for the Homeless, said in an email the current safety standards, which say the county can withhold assistance payments "are fair and appropriate."

"Zoning requirements in and of themselves have little or nothing to do with the health and safety of either the residents of the accommodation or that of the surrounding community," she added.

She said there remains a "tremendous need for more affordable housing."

"Until we are able to increase our affordable housing stock, we need to either make use of other housing alternatives or face a continued increase in the number of homeless households in our communities," she said.

Richard Koubek, chair of the Suffolk Legislature's Welfare to Work Commission, said in an email while the intent of the resolution "makes perfect sense," its application "could be a disaster."

"Requiring the already inundated town or village code enforcers to inspect every DSS rental will slow down, if not derail, the ability of DSS to place clients in rentals which are already in short supply," he said.

Mazzarella agreed there's "pressure" to find housing, "but we can’t put people in unsafe housing either just because we have a lack of supply."

Caracappa said the goal is to address "the most egregious" homes first rather than shutting down a significant number at once that could lead to other problems.

The legislature held its second public hearing on the bill last week and the bill now goes back to committee later this month. Maura Spery read a letter in support last week on behalf of the Mastic Beach Conservancy, of which she is president.

"I see this as the beginning of a way to make people accountable," she said in an interview.

By Joe Werkmeister

joe.werkmeister@newsday.com

Joe Werkmeister joined Newsday in 2022 and covers Suffolk County government and politics. He is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University and previously worked as the editor of two North Fork community newspapers.

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