The Huntington Township Housing Coalition has released the results of its survey of Huntington Town Board candidates on issues relating to the expansion of affordable housing within the township.
The coalition received replies to a four-question survey from six candidates. Here are their answers to the first question:
Question #1: Do you believe Huntington needs more housing, and if so, what types of housing?
Stephen Anastasia (Democratic candidate for Town Council):
Yes, Huntington needs more housing – strategically planned, thoughtfully designed, and community-centered. We need housing that supports working families, seniors looking to downsize, young people who want to stay in the communities where they grew up, and essential workers who serve our town every day. That means a mix of housing types: affordable rental units, starter homes, mixed-use developments, senior-friendly options, and accessible housing for individuals with disabilities. I believe in smart growth that respects the character of our town while addressing the real housing needs of today and tomorrow.
Dr. David P. Bennardo (Republican/Conservative candidate for Town Council; incumbent):
I do believe that Huntington could benefit from more housing as long as it’s done wisely and in accordance with the area’s characteristics. For example, there are certain parcels which call for single-family home units in order to maintain the architectural continuity of the block. There are other places, such as the Melville Corridor, which are already office space in nature and could handle a bit more diverse housing options. The key is to utilize the various areas at our disposal and be creative to ensure that we produce housing in a way that maintains the “community flow” of our region. It’s also critical that the infrastructure, ranging from emergency services to schools and traffic, is enhanced to meet any housing additions.
Gregory Grizopoulos (Republican/Conservative candidate for Town Council):
To help keep our young people and seniors from leaving the Town of Huntington and moving elsewhere, there is a real need for alternative housing options. This will allow seniors who may be looking to downsize but stay in the community while also increasing the housing stock since their homes will then become available for growing families to move up in the housing market. There may be some locations within the Town that are more consistent with creating those types of housing options and I would love to explore those options to keep our family members from moving away.
At the same time the Town also has a responsibility to each existing homeowner to keep the neighborhood in which their house is located relatively the same and not change the character of the neighborhood.
Jen Hebert (Democratic candidate for Town Council):
I believe Huntington has a need to add more housing, particularly workforce housing for people like first responders, single income earners and young people just starting out. We need to offer a diverse housing stock, so our Town continues to be vibrant and welcoming for people from all walks of life. What we don’t need is to develop every last green space in our township with the addition of expensive mini-mansions that are unaffordable for most. I also don’t support the use of PILOT programs to attract more development. It puts a very unfair burden on the local school districts.
Cooper Macco (Democratic candidate for Town Supervisor):
Yes, Huntington is facing a massive housing shortage. First and foremost, there is very little entry-level housing in Huntington – either for sale or rent. Rental prices are through the roof largely in part to the increased value of homes in the area and rising tax base. We need to expand entry-level housing – housing focused on attracting young professionals, first responders, and skilled laborers. The shortage of housing is forcing people to leave Long Island (and Huntington), which is going to create a substantial void in the future as our existing population ages. I think we should focus on making it easier for homeowners to rent accessory apartments, particularly for owner-occupied houses. This could create a new revenue source for the Town (owner-occupied rental permits), while also allowing the Town to ensure taxes are paid by homeowners who may be struggling as the cost increases each year (e.g., seniors on a fixed income). It would alleviate the financial burdens on the homeowner and create a new source of housing for workers. Additionally, we do not have sufficient affordable housing to meet the needs of the community, and that is evidenced by the number of submissions whenever a lottery for affordable units is created. While it is great that we have earmarked affordable housing, we need to expand it. The slowdown of residential projects in Huntington has also created a slowdown in affordable housing.
Edmund J. Smyth (Republican/Conservative candidate for Town Supervisor; incumbent):
Huntington is constantly reinventing itself and re-developing existing properties. Throughout this ever-present process, the Town Board, Planning Board, and ZBA always look to preserve the Town’s history. Our Administration has a proven record of approving residential development wherever appropriate, but unapologetically denies applications which would harm the surrounding community.
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