We all know that many Town of Lloyd families or their grown children are forced to move away due to high prices of homes and rents. What many voters do not realize is that this problem is due in large part to the failure of the Republican majority (supervisor and two council members) to enforce our existing affordable housing laws.

The way the law is supposed to work, developers who build 10 or more units must set aside 10% of the homes/dwellings at an affordable rate for residents whose income is $60,000 a year or less. In theory, this law already pertains to Mountainside Woods, Trailview, Hudson Place and (when built) the Villages, Views and Falcon Ridge.

So why have none of these projects been required to sell or rent any of their units at an affordable price? Why are dozens of our local Highland families being forced to pay high rents or move away? The reason is because our Town Supervisor and Republican Board majority simply refuse to do their jobs and enforce the law.

At several Town board meetings, I have asked why we are not enforcing our Affordable Housing Regulation. At our July 17th board meeting, our Town Supervisor claimed it is unworkable. He makes this statement even though he has never tried to implement the law. He said he was going to repeal and replace the law, but still hasn’t done so. Why? Because the lack of enforcement allows the developer to sell or rent the extra units at full market value. This increases the profits of the developer while forcing those of more modest means out of the marketplace.

I will always choose our community over developers’ profits. Promising to uphold our affordable housing law to keep our families and the people who want to live here are not shut out by greedy developers.

You can make a difference for our families by voting Democratic this November.