Suffolk County, Long Island is facing a number of pressing issues, particularly when it comes to housing. As the island's prosperity has grown, so too have the size and cost of housing, leaving many urban centers that were once vibrant now with pockets of impoverishment for minorities and those who are financially disadvantaged. Even middle-class Long Islanders are struggling to keep up with the high cost of housing, and those with lower salaries are bearing an even greater burden. In response to this issue, Governor Kathy Hochul recently visited Patchogue to discuss the New York Housing Pact, a comprehensive strategy announced in the fiscal year 2024 executive budget to address the state's housing crisis and build 800,000 new homes over the next decade. The governor's vision to make New York more livable, more accessible, and more affordable was met with broad support from advocates. The President of the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
emphasized the urgency of this issue, noting that it will exhaust Long Island's talent and have a negative impact on the region's economy. Sarah Lansdale, Economic Development Commissioner and Suffolk County Planning Chair of the Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency (SCIDA), has also been working to make investments that can turn underutilized properties and commercial corridors into centers that generate taxes and jobs. The SCIDA has invested in new robotic surgery devices and advanced diagnostic imaging technologies, and is now turning East Suffolk into a destination for next-generation medical services for specialties such as breast surgery, cancer care and arthroplasty. The most pressing issues facing Suffolk County today are clear: a lack of affordable housing options and a need for economic development initiatives that create jobs and generate taxes. To address these issues, Governor Hochul has proposed the New York Housing Pact, which seeks to build 800,000 new homes over the next decade. Additionally, SCIDA is investing in new technologies and initiatives that can create jobs and generate taxes.
It is clear that Suffolk County needs to take action now in order to ensure a prosperous future for its citizens.
