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What Are Southold's Affordable Housing Needs?

As the town works on its comprehensive plan, the issue came up at Tuesday morning's work session. We're curious what you think.

As Southold continues working on its comprehensive plan - Southold 2020 - the Southold Town Board took about a half hour on Tuesday morning to discuss affordable housing options on the North Fork, one of several chapters in the works in the long-term planning document.

The board acknowledged Southold's aging population, and questioned whether the affordable units would be geared toward young families or those 55 and over.

Councilwoman Jill Doherty said she wanted to see hard numbers as to who needs the affordables, while Councilman Chris Talbot suggested there was a need for apartments for young people not yet ready to purchase homes.

Supervisor Scott Russell pointed to Riverhead - which is currently - and said many Southold retirees are downsizing and moving to the retirement communities along Middle Road. 

We're curious what you think. Does Southold need more affordable housing? If so, how should town leaders go about planning for it?

Sandy Martocchia contributed to this report.

Jessie March 27, 2012 at 10:07 pm
I think there are many of us that grew up in Southold, went away to school/work etc. for a few years and would like to move back to the North Fork but just can't afford to live there. There are very few options to rent in Southold and even though the market currently holds housing prices significantly lower than they've been in years, it's still too much for the average working young couple. Affordable housing for situations such as this would be welcomed!
AJ March 28, 2012 at 12:05 pm
I never understood how landlords get away with charging so much rent, they should have to pay more in taxes, since now there home has become a business, unless they are willing to keep the rent on or below market value. Helping people buy a home and not just rent should be a goal for Southold, it will only improve neighborhoods.
forward thinking March 28, 2012 at 01:00 pm
they pay double taxes . property and profit - also have greater than a homepwner in upkeep etc... taxes here are 800 to 1000 a month if one to rent 1/2 its 400 to 500.. one would expect to make money out of it ??? say 500 a month (thats only 6,000.00 a year)
BOB PALADIN March 28, 2012 at 01:29 pm
affordable housing is the same as military intelligence or jumbo shrimp its an OXYMORON
Sandy Martocchia March 28, 2012 at 02:40 pm
If your taxes are 800 to 1000 a month, you must live in the western portion of town. It's very interesting to hear about the differences in property taxes in our small town.
Landlord in Southold March 28, 2012 at 05:25 pm
I am a landlord. We are lucky if we net 4500 per year after taxes. Our house is in Southold-2 bedroom and we pay over $8000 per year in taxes. Add in insurance, repairs, landscaping, mowing, etc and all the work we do ourselves, $4500 is not much. We are not greedy, but we do need to make a profit, we have had tens of thousands of dollars worth of damages done to our house after the people were there for 2 years. Maybe if tenants paid rent on time and took care of the house they live in like it was theirs we wouldn't have to charges so much in rent. Just an idea.
BOB PALADIN March 28, 2012 at 05:31 pm
ll in sh .... sell it 4500 isn't worth the effort but its also a part of biz .. we are still getting retainage checks from clients in 2009....if you want to be in Business expect delays and budget for cost over runs...
Landlord in Southold March 28, 2012 at 05:37 pm
We do expect delays in payments. We also expect damage, that is why we charge the rent we do. Just trying to explain that as landlords we are not making a killing or taking advantage of anyone.
BOB PALADIN March 28, 2012 at 05:48 pm
ll.. at 5 bucks a gallon and the highest utility rates in the NATION and NEW YORK STATE that has the LL guilty of everything. why would anyone have a rental property.. we dumped most of our rentals and one family has successfully avoided EVICTION for 7 years and counting and living rent free in a nice three bedroom home a mile from the water....cost us 107k in lost rent so far many thousands in attorneys fees and if something breaks we have to fix it and answer to to the town all the time for all the illegal crap they do on and in the property...

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