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Glen Cove, New York...Sharon E. Harris Ph.D president of IAC
welcomed the membership and guests to Butler Street Senior
Complex for the monthly IAC meeting. The primary mission of IAC
is to enhance the delivery of human services through
collaboration and communication, and to provide mutual support
among community agencies through sharing and networking. The
president introduced Eric Wingate, executive director of the
Glen Cove Housing Authority. Mr. Wingate provided a
comprehensive overview of the housing units under his charge
including the aggressive endeavors to eradicate drug and gang
activities that were prevalent prior to his arrival in 2001. In
addition, reducing the 47% uncollected rents to the present day
status of full compliance. He believes a better image has
resulted in the turnaround of the overall facility and the
improvements that have taken place including new windows,
weatherization, etc. Lee Gray Court is in the process of being
sold to developers. The 19 2-family homes are on 5-acres of
land. Given the land shortage in the area, demolishing the
existing buildings will allow 60 units to be built. He explained
that a comparable site in other Long Island communities could
hold up to 120 units, but in keeping with the community
aesthetics, it has been agreed that 60 units is the better
route. It will include new roads and will contain what is termed
“tier” housing for low and middle income and workforce.
Revenue from the sale will allow the Housing Authority to
replace and upgrade many items including hot water heaters and
security measures. Future plans include a 3-story building to be
erected on an existing outdoor playground where the first floor
will be an indoor playground and the other floors will house a
pre-K and daycare program. He explained that 70% of the Housing
Authority tenants are single parent females. Of the 232 youth in
the complex, 65 are in the 0-5 age range. His hope is that a day
care/nursery program would allow some of the mothers to work and
allow for the children to have quality early childhood
experiences.
The president thanked Mr. Wingate and introduced Fred Moore,
Program Administrator of the Glen Cove Section #8 Housing. Mr.
Moore explained Section #8 is a Federal subsidized voucher
housing program that allows low income families to pay only a
portion of the rent. It allows poverty level families to live in
de-centralized areas of the city as well as encouraging families
to save income for eventual home ownership. Some history of the
program included homeless families living on the A-train and the
1985 Federal program being initiated. Glen Cove has 340 vouchers
and experienced a 10% reduction from last year. He reported that
families are paying more for rent than in the past and that many
of the section #8 families come from the Housing Authority,
especially those wishing to de-centralize their lifestyle. The
waiting list for section #8 housing is closed at the moment.
InterAgency Council of Glen Cove was established in 1971 to
improve the delivery of human services through cooperation,
communication and coordination of community agencies. The
original concept for IAC was developed under the auspices of the
Community Hospital of Glen Cove as part of a University based
community service project. Twenty of the original agencies
continue active participation. Monthly meetings are held every
second Wednesday of the month September through June at member
agency settings. Please check IAC’s website for locations and
dates of future meetings as well as agency events, services,
locations, and contact personnel.www.iacglencove.org.
THE NEXT IAC MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HOLOCAUST
MEMORIAL & EDUCATIONAL CENTER OF NASSAU COUNTY AT WELWYN
PRESERVE, 100 CRESCENT BEACH ROAD AT 9 A.M.
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