The Westchester County Board of Legislators unanimously approved an agreement that the town of Greenburgh negotiated with WESTHELP, the Mayfair/Knollwood Civic Association authorizing the l08 unit homeless shelter to continue to operate in the town. The town will receive $l.2 million a year. The funds will be distributed to the Valhalla School district, town of Greenburgh, Fairview Fire District, with the school district (at the request of the civic association) getting the bulk of the funds. Last year the neighborhood voted 90-ll to support the continued operation of of the homeless shelter provided that the neighborhood gets most of the benefits from from the extension of the lease. In the l980s, when I was a County Legislator, lawmakers had promised the neighborhood that the shelter would (at the end of l0 years) become affordable housing or senior housing. This is a perfect example of what happens when everyone works together --controversy turns into a win/win/win for everyone!
