Affordable, mixed-income housing and racially and ethnically diverse neighborhoods are a benefit—both economically and socially—to all our residents. If a community shuts its doors to people of any income-level, race, or ethnicity, that community cannot prosper.
In 2014, the Westchester County Executive turned to 50 community leaders for their insights about the economic future of the county. To them, the greatest opportunity to attract new businesses was the opportunity to recruit talent, and the greatest opportunity to recruit talent was to offer a larger variety of mixed-income housing choices. On the other end, youth flight—or, the inability to keep young professionals in the community where they grew up—is seen as one of the greatest threats to the county’s economy.
Moreover, the social benefits of mixed-income and racially and ethnically diverse neighborhoods are great as well. Increasing diversity across economic, racial and ethnic spectrums leads to better education for our children, improved tolerance of others, and greater cultural awareness.
Below, you can find some of the benefits of mixed-income housing and racially and ethnically integrated communities, as well as links to sites that contain additional information you may find helpful and informative.
Benefits of Mixed-Income Housing
- Mixed income housing promotes racially and ethnically diverse communities, providing a nurturing environment with diverse schools to raise children
- Mixed income housing provides opportunities for seniors, young adults, and families to live in communities, at prices they can afford
- Mixed income housing promotes economic empowerment and integration
- Mixed income housing helps the local workforce, including volunteer first responders, live in the same community where they work
- Mixed income housing revitalizes distressed areas
Benefits of Racially and Ethnically Integrated Communities
- Diversity contributes to greater tolerance, fair-mindedness and openness to diverse networks and settings
- Diversity makes us more creative, more diligent and harder-working
- Diversity broadens the range of cultural experiences available
- Diversity is a magnet for talent, stimulates new ideas and spurs economic growth Diversity in the classroom improves students’ academic outcomes and social growth. Schools flourish because contact with different types of people, different perspectives, different ways of thinking and different lifestyles helps us understand our own culture and values, and the world around us. Our children grow up to be more culturally sensitive, deal better with diverse work situations, and are less likely to apply racial stereotypes.
Resources
Fair Housing Ad Campaign, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
National Community Reinvestment Coalition
National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders
Note: These resources and links are being provided for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by the County of Westchester of the information or opinions expressed therein. The County of Westchester bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external sites or for that of subsequent links.
Despite the best efforts of federal, state, and local governments, discrimination still exists. However, as Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino has repeatedly stated, there is no place for discrimination in Westchester.
About the Human Rights Commission
The mission of the Westchester County Human Rights Commission is to combat discrimination through the enforcement of the Westchester County Human Rights Law and Fair Housing Law, to engage in education and outreach to educate the public on its rights and obligations under these laws, and to help promote positive racial and ethnic relations among Westchester’s diverse population.
The Human Rights Commission is dedicated to ensuring that everyone has a full and fair opportunity to housing because diverse, inclusive communities with access to good jobs, schools, health care, transportation, and housing are crucial to our nation’s prosperity in the 21st century.
The Human Rights Commission is further committed to fighting discriminatory practices in housing which have perpetuated segregation in our communities and resulted in significant disparities between white and non-white households in access to good jobs, quality education, homeownership attainment and asset accumulation.
Fair Housing is Your Right
The Westchester County Fair Housing Law, which is broader and more comprehensive than federal law, recognizes 16 different protected classes (federal law only recognizes 7):
Race, Color, Religion, Sex/Gender, Familial Status, National Origin, Disability, Age, Alienage/Citizenship Status, Ethnicity, Creed, Sexual Orientation, Marital Status, Victim of Domestic Abuse, Victim of Sexual Abuse, Victim of Stalking, Source of Income
If you feel that you have been discriminated against on any of the above bases by a current or prospective housing provider/real estate agent in Westchester County, please contact the Westchester County Human Rights Commission at:
112 East Post Road 3rd Floor
White Plains, New York 10601
Tel: (914) 995-9500
Affordable, mixed-income housing and racially and ethnically diverse neighborhoods are a benefit—both economically and socially—to all our residents.
In 2014, the Westchester County Executive turned to 50 community leaders for their insights about the economic future of the county. To them, the greatest asset for attracting new businesses was the strength of the county's talent pool and the best way to recruit and retain that talent was to offer a larger variety of mixed-income housing choices. On the other hand, youth flight—young people leaving Westchester for better jobs and housing opportunities—was seen as a potential threat to the county's economic prosperity.
Benefits of Mixed-Income Housing
- Mixed income housing promotes racially and ethnically diverse communities, providing a nurturing environment with diverse schools to raise children
- Mixed income housing provides opportunities for seniors and young adults to stay in their communities at prices they can afford
- Mixed income housing promotes economic empowerment and integration
- Mixed income housing helps the local workforce, including volunteer first responders, live in the same community where they work
- Mixed income housing revitalizes distressed areas
Benefits of Racially and Ethnically Integrated Communities
- Diversity contributes to greater tolerance, fair-mindedness and openness to diverse networks and settings
- Diversity broadens the range of cultural experiences available
- Diversity is a magnet for talent, stimulates new ideas and spurs economic growth
- Diversity in the classroom improves students' academic outcomes and social growth. Schools flourish because contact with people with different perspectives, different backgrounds and different lifestyles helps us understand the world around us. Our children grow up to be more culturally sensitive, deal better with diverse work situations, and are less likely to apply racial stereotypes
Resources
Mixed-Income Housing and the Home Program, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Mixed-Income Living: Anticipated and Realized Benefits for Low-Income Households, Diane K. Levy, Zach McDade and Kassie Bertumen
Promoting Neighborhood Diversity: Benefits, Barriers and Strategies, Margery Austin Turner and Lynette Rawlings.
Cosmopolitan Masala: Diversity Enriches Us All, Phillippe Legrain
Do We Know More Now? Trends in Public Knowledge, Support and Use of Fair Housing Law, Martin D. Abravanel
Housing Discrimination Against Racial and Ethnic Minorities, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Rethinking the Effects of Immigration on Wages, Gianmarco I.P. Ottaviano and Giovanni Peri
Benefits of Diverse Communities, National Fair Housing Alliance
The Benefits of Diversity: What the Research Tells Us, Daryl G. Smith and Natalie B. Schonfeld
How Diversity Makes Us Smarter, Katherine W. Phillips
Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
National Community Reinvestment Coalition
National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders
Note: These resources and links are being provided for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by the County of Westchester of the information or opinions expressed therein. The County of Westchester bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external sites or for that of subsequent links.
Affordable, mixed-income housing and racially and ethnically diverse neighborhoods are a benefit—both economically and socially—to all our residents. If a community shuts its doors to people of any income-level, race, or ethnicity, that community cannot prosper.
In 2014, the Westchester County Executive turned to 50 community leaders for their insights about the economic future of the county. To them, the greatest opportunity to attract new businesses was the ability to recruit talent, and the greatest opportunity to recruit talent was to offer a larger variety of mixed-income housing choices.
Below, you can find some of the benefits of mixed-income housing and racially and ethnically integrated communities, as well as links to sites that contain additional information you may find helpful and informative.
Benefits of Mixed-Income Housing
- Mixed income housing promotes racially and ethnically diverse communities, providing a nurturing environment with diverse schools to raise children
- Mixed income housing provides opportunities for seniors, young adults, and families to live in communities, at prices they can afford
- Mixed income housing promotes economic empowerment and integration
- Mixed income housing helps the local workforce, including volunteer first responders, live in the same community where they work
- Mixed income housing revitalizes distressed areas
Benefits of Racially and Ethnically Integrated Communities
- Diversity contributes to greater tolerance, fair-mindedness and openness to diverse networks and settings
- Diversity makes us more creative, more diligent and harder-working
- Diversity broadens the range of cultural experiences available
- Diversity is a magnet for talent, stimulates new ideas and spurs economic growth Diversity in the classroom improves students’ academic outcomes and social growth. Schools flourish because contact with different types of people, different perspectives, different ways of thinking and different lifestyles helps us understand our own culture and values, and the world around us. Our children grow up to be more culturally sensitive, deal better with diverse work situations, and are less likely to apply racial stereotypes
Resources
Promoting Neighborhood Diversity: Benefits, Barriers and Strategies, Margery Austin Turner and Lynette Rawlings.
Cosmopolitan Masala: Diversity Enriches Us All, Phillippe Legrain
How Diversity Makes Us Smarter, Katherine W. Phillips
How Non-Minority Students Also Benefit from Racially Diverse Schools, Genevieve Siegel-Hawley
Diversity and Economic Development in Urban Neighborhoods, Melissa Kay Jones
Note: These resources and links are being provided for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by the County of Westchester of the information or opinions expressed therein. The County of Westchester bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external sites or for that of subsequent links.
Wildwood
37 Wildwood Road
Bedford, NY
Located on 2.5 acres overlooking the hamlet of Katonah, this seven-unit building is a mix of affordable studio and one-bedroom apartments. Bridleside is within walking distance of the town park, Metro-North railroad, and a Bee-Line bus stop.
More information:
- Town of Bedford Web Site
- Bedford Central School District Web Site
- Wikipedia article about Katonah, a hamlet in the Town of Bedford, NY
122 Nelson Avenue
Peekskill, NY
Foreclosed and abandoned, this one-family Victorian house was rehabilitated and sold to a household with annual income at or below 80 percent of Westchester’s annual medial income. The affordable property is within walking distance of schools and public transportation.
More information:
- City of Peekskill Web Site
- Peekskill Central School District Web Site
- Wikipedia article about Peekskill, NY
Comstock Heights
445 North State Road
Briarcliff Manor, NY
This affordable 14-unit townhouse complex was built in 2014 on 0.78 acres. Each 1100 SF duplex has two bedrooms and 1.5 baths and provides onsite parking. The site is less than 0.2 miles from public transportation.
More information:
- Village of Briarcliff Manor Web Site
- Briarcliff Union Free School District Web Site
- Wikipedia article about Briarcliff Manor, NY
Freedom Gardens
1680 Strawberry Road 
Yorktown, NY
Located on five acres in the hamlet of Mohegan Lake, this affordable residential rental complex has 13 one-bedroom units for physically disabled individuals. Three of the 13 units and a community room were constructed in 2013. Residents meet the annual income requirements of 30-60 percent of Westchester’s annual median income.
More information:
- Town of Yorktown Web Site
- Lakeland Central School District Web Site
- Wikipedia article about Mohegan Lake, a hamlet within the Town of Yorktown, NY
The Mews at Baldwin Place
Clayton Boulevard (Route 6)
Somers, NY
Built in 2011 in the hamlet of Baldwin Place, this garden-style affordable rental housing complex for seniors has 72 one-bedroom apartments in two elevator buildings. Households of persons 62 years and older with annual incomes between 30-60 percent of Westchester’s annual median income qualify to rent. The buildings have onsite laundry facilities and parking and are within walking distance from the Somers Commons Shopping Center. A Bee-Line bus stop is within 500 feet of the site.
More information:
- Town of Somers Web Site
- Somers Central School District Web Site
- Wikipedia article about the Town of Somers, NY
West End Town Homes
First Street and Union Avenue
New Rochelle, NY
Phase I of this affordable housing development was built in 2007 and includes 25 two- and three-bedroom townhomes available for purchase to households earning at or below 80 percent of Westchester’s annual median income. Phase II is a 102-unit rental complex for seniors with incomes at or below 60 percent of Westchester’s annual median income. Residents can walk to transportation in nearby Pelham and to the New Rochelle Metro-North station.
More information:
- City of New Rochelle Web Site
- City School District of New Rochelle Web Site
- Wikipedia article about New Rochelle, NY
Scotts Corner
29 Westchester Avenue
Pound Ridge, NY
Built in 2008 in Scotts Corner, these are two affordable rental housing buildings with onsite parking. There are six affordable rental apartments in each of the two-story elevator buildings. Each unit includes a bedroom, bathroom, and living room with a small refrigerator and sink area. The three units on each floor share a large country kitchen, a living room, and laundry facilities. The units are available to households with persons aged 55 and above and with annual incomes of 50-60 percent of Westchester’s annual median income.
More information:
- Town of Pound Ridge Web Site
- Bedford Central School District Web Site
- Wikipedia article about the Town of Pound Ridge, NY
Bridleside
256-258 June Road
North Salem, NY
These eight two-story buildings are located on 40 acres in northern Westchester’s "horse country." The 65-unit affordable rental complex, with a 3,200 SF clubhouse, a recreation field, and onsite parking, is comprised of 20 one-bedroom, 40 two-bedroom, and five three-bedroom units. Regularly scheduled transportation is available to local healthcare facilities, shopping areas, and public transportation. The units are available to households with annual incomes at or below 50-60 percent of Westchester’s annual median income.
More information:
- Town of North Salem Web Site
- North Salem Central School District Web Site
- Wikipedia article about North Salem, NY
Cottage Landing Town Homes
42 Cottage Street
Rye, NY
This eighteen-unit affordable townhouse development was built in 2013 and is near public transportation. It offers 11 one-bedroom units and seven one-bedroom units with a den. Households with annual incomes at or below 80 percent of Westchester’s annual median income qualified to purchase a townhouse.
More information:
Pinebrook Condominiums
2101-2105 Palmer Avenue
Larchmont, NY
These affordable condominiums are offered to households with annual incomes at or below 80 percent of Westchester’s annual median income. The two buildings include 10 one-bedroom and 41 two-bedroom units. Residents can walk to transportation and downtown.
More information:
- Village of Larchmont Web Site
- Mamaroneck Union Free School District Web Site
- Wikipedia article about the Village of Larchmont, NY
Grant Park Apartments
1 Loer Avenue and 9 Vinyard Avenue
Yonkers, NY
These three and four-story elevator buildings, located on four acres in downtown Yonkers, were built in 2012. The development offers 100 affordable rental apartments - a mix of one, two, and three-bedrooms - to households with annual incomes at or below 60 percent of Westchester’s annual median income. Residents can walk to transportation and shopping, and onsite parking, laundry facilities, a playground, a community room, and an exercise room are available to tenants.
More information:
River Pointe at Drumhill
100-102 Ringgold Street
Peekskill, NY
Built in 2010, this affordable rental complex for seniors has 43 apartments - 37 one-bedroom and six two-bedroom, plus seven units for the frail elderly with available supportive services. Amenities include onsite parking, laundry facilities, and a fitness room. The apartments are available to seniors with annual incomes at 50-60 percent of Westchester’s annual median income.
More information:
- City of Peekskill Web Site
- Peekskill Central School District Web Site
- Wikipedia article about Peekskill, NY