Suffolk lawmakers are moving to yank public funds from landlords whose Department of Social Services-backed rentals flout building or zoning codes.
The bill, co-sponsored by Legis. Nick Caracappa and James Mazzarella, would expand existing rules that already allow the county to withhold assistance if a property is “dangerous, hazardous or detrimental to life or health.” The added language would also cover any rental that fails to comply with municipal zoning or building standards, Newsday reported.
Backers frame it as a quality-of-life fix in hot spots like Mastic Beach and Coram, pointing to egregious cases, such as makeshift kitchens with Charbroil grills, chopped-up interiors and wastewater systems buckling under excess tenants. The legislation would require municipalities to inspect homes before DSS placements, forcing landlords to bring properties up to code before collecting rent checks.
“We’re putting people’s lives in jeopardy and we’re aware of it,” Caracappa said, adding the aim is to dismantle a “business model” that lets owners reap county rent while barring inspectors from entry.
Opponents warn the measure could backfire, shrinking an already scarce pool of units for DSS clients and overloading local code enforcement. Greta Guarton of the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless argued zoning rules don’t necessarily impact health or safety, and the county should focus on adding affordable housing rather than cutting existing stock.
Welfare to Work Commission chair Richard Koubek added that requiring inspections for every placement could “derail” the department’s ability to house clients.
Caracappa insists the county would start with “most egregious” properties to avoid mass displacement. The bill had its second public hearing last week and is slated for committee review later this month.
Between January and May 2024, Suffolk placed nearly 500 homeless families and more than 600 single adults in emergency housing. There is $85 million budgeted for a “Safety Net” program, but it’s unclear how much the county actually spends on DSS placements.
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