Suffolk: Legislature Passes LIBOR-Backed First Responder Housing Bill

"Suffolk County lawmakers, in a bipartisan initiative to boost ranks of volunteer fire and EMS departments, approved legislation this week that adds a new housing incentive," reported NPR News.

"The Suffolk County Legislature adopted a bill at its general meeting that requires any new affordable developments that receive county workforce housing money to set aside at least five units or 10% of the property’s total number of apartments, whichever is less, for volunteer firefighters and EMS workers. Joe Werkmeister reports in NEWSDAY that the legislation sponsored by Legis. Dominic Thorne (R-Patchogue) grew out of a bill first proposed last November by Legis. Rebecca Sanin (D-Huntington Station)."

"Suffolk County Executive Edward P. Romaine said he supports the bill. The bill requires a volunteer firefighter or EMS personnel to be in 'good standing' for three years. They must also already be a member of the fire or ambulance district where the housing project is located."

LIBOR submitted testimony in support of this bill and was represented by Nassau/Suffolk Government Affairs Chair Paige Ryan, a LIBOR Board of Directors member.