Suffolk merges affordable housing, real estate

The Bellone administration has named Jill Rosen-Nikoloff, a veteran county affordable housing official, as the new head of the county real estate office, which oversees county land acquisitions, including the county farmland and open space programs.

Rosen-Nikoloff replaces former Islip Town board member Pamela Greene, who held the real estate job for three years but was among about 360 county employees laid off on June 30.

A lawyer, Rosen-Nikoloff has worked for the county for five years, and until early this year was in charge of the affordable housing program. She then became head of the county’s six-person community development program. She will now also run the 26-member real estate office.

Rosen-Nikoloff will make $133,000 annually in her new post, a $10,000 raise, and more than the $115,000 a year that Greene was making. Deputy County Executive Jon Schneider said that until this year, Suffolk employed three people to head the real estate, affordable housing and community development units. “It only makes sense to consolidate the functions . . . because many of their functions overlap.”

Deputy Presiding Officer Wayne Horsley (D-Babylon) said he’s known Rosen-Nikoloff since she was district office manager for former Rep. Tom Downey (D-Amityville).

“She’s one of the best and is great at follow-through. She’s highly qualified for the job,” he said.

“It’s the county executive’s choice,” said Legis. Edward Romaine (R-Center Moriches). “She’s been involved in housing issues for many years. I just hope she can get up to speed on other county land acquisitions which are crucial and need to move forward without delay.”