Crawford sees need for affordable housing

By Trevor Eichler
Posted 5/17/22

The current lack of affordable housing is taking its toll on residents of New York State. The circumstances of the current market is hurting people in the workforce, seniors, veterans, and people …

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Crawford sees need for affordable housing

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The current lack of affordable housing is taking its toll on residents of New York State. The circumstances of the current market is hurting people in the workforce, seniors, veterans, and people with special needs, more than others. Developer Jonah Mandelbaum has been creating affordable housing projects for several years, many for the groups mentioned previously. He has over 3,000 developments to date, and the Town of Montgomery might be next on the list.

Mandelbaum went before the Montgomery Town Board with the idea, and is currently waiting to get the final overlay zone. Once that is approved, it will then go on to the planning board.

The Town of Crawford is also considering a project very similar to Montgomery, but nothing is in motion yet.

“There is a big need for affordable housing for vets and those in the workforce. We also need to support local businesses and this would help them out as well. There are very few lots or homes available in Crawford and Pine Bush, and most if they are even available, are at a very high price that those groups cannot afford,” said Town of Crawford Supervisor Charles Carnes.

Developer Mandelbaum, a Veteran himself, realizes the lack of affordable housing is a county wide issue. He met a woman in the Town of Montgomery a few years ago whose grandfather was a veteran, and also on a 2 year waiting list for a housing unit.

Unfortunately, he passed away before he was able to get into his new home.

“It’s really an issue in this area. The rentals in Montgomery are getting too expensive, and people, especially veterans living on a pension just can’t afford it. The key is affordability, and once the town creates the zoning, then we go to the planning board and go from there,” said Mandelbaum.

Developer Jonah Mandelbaum does own property in the Town of Crawford, and he said if and when the town creates the zoning, he’d be happy to apply, since there is such a desperate need for affordable housing.

“The Town of Crawford is considering, and it would be a unit very similar to the one in Montgomery. Rents ranging from $300 to $1000 a month. The plan for the unit in Montgomery is 73 one bedroom apartments, 6 two bedroom apartments, and 1 three bedroom unit,” explained Mandelbaum.