Indian Head Rental Units: Affordable, Not Low Income

Residents concerned about a voiced their disapproval at a recent Smithtown town board meeting.

About a dozen or so residents addressed the board with concerns ranging from taxes to government subsidized housing. The planned development, on Indian Head Road, just south of Superior Ice Rink will have 36 one and two-bedroom garden apartment units.

Robert Wendt, who says he owns several properties and rentals in the area was concerned about the lack of ownership he believes renters take.

"As an owner of a property, we care about property and upkeep our property. As a renter you don’t. That would be a negative about that," said Wendt.

Others expressed concerns about subsidised and low income housing.

“There is a prevailing fear of Section 8 housing,” said one man who said he was asking questions on behalf of local neighbors.

Vincent Pizzulli, the attorney representing the developer said that is not the case. “There will be no governmental subsidies of these properties,” said Pizzulli.

According to Frank DeRubeis, planning director for the town, there is only a small amount of this type of housing in Smithtown.

“We have 160 or so Section 8 recipients, excluding senior apartments. Out of 36,000 units in the town of Smithtown, that’s a very small number,” said DeRubeis.

According to DeRubeis, a restriction was put on the property to ensure 70 percent of the housing will be one bedroom apartments.

"This was targeted towards young professionals," said DeRubeis. "We have no apartments in Kings Park. The young who have just graduated college are having trouble finding available and affordable housing. If a young person wants to go back home to live, you can't do it in Kings Park," he said.