NY Pledges Thousands To Hempstead To Help Fix Zombie Homes

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (WCBS 880) — America’s largest township is getting some state aide to fix what officials are calling an affordable housing crisis.

New York State Senators Kevin Thomas, John Brooks, Todd Kaminsky, Anna Kaplan and Hempstead Town Supervisor Laura Gillen joined the Nassau County chapter of Habitat for Humanity on Wednesday to announce a new study that will address the affordable housing crisis in Hempstead, which has over 500 zombie homes dragging down property values and an estimated 1,500 homes in foreclosure.

With $215,000 from the state Legislature, the town will now be able to study the homes to see what needs to be done to fix the issue.

“The funding will explore how the town of Hempstead can keep people in their homes and not force them to flee,” Sen. Thomas said.

Habitat for Humanity will continue to act as a savior of zombie homes on Long Island, taking them over and converting them into homes that families with a steady income can afford.

“The result is affordable housing without the high expenses of building brand new housing,” said Gillen.

She says the group’s work also helps all other homeowners nearby because property values that once plummeted because of the presence of a zombie home can then recover.