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WPCNR THE HOUSING NEWS. From the Westchester County Department of Communications. December 31, 2015: 

Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino announced Wednesday that the county has once again exceeded its benchmarks for developing 750 units of affordable housing under the 2009 settlement with the federal government. Specifically, the county will finish 2015 with financing in place for 649 units, 49 more than required, and building permits in place for 579 units, 54 more than required.

“Our continued success proves we are committed to meeting the county’s obligations under the settlement; local zoning codes are non-discriminatory and support the development of fair and affordable housing; and, cooperation—not litigation—is the best way to build housing,” Astorino said. “I want to thank our municipalities for their partnership and our county planning officials for their expertise and professionalism. It was through this team effort that we’ve been able to meet our goals from the beginning.”

The county met the benchmarks for units with financing in November. It went over the top for units with building permits this week when the City of Rye issued permits for 41 units on Theodore Fremd Ave. and the Town of New Castle issued permits for 28 units on Hunts Place.

The county has never failed to meet a benchmark under the settlement since they began in 2011.

Under the terms of the settlement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and U.S. Justice Department, the county is required to spend at least $51.6 million to develop 750 units of affordable housing by the end of 2016 in 31 “eligible” communities defined by their African-American and Hispanic populations in the 2000 census.