April 5, 2013 -- Statement by County Executive Robert P. Astorino in reaction to U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals Decision on Source of Income:
"Obviously, I am disappointed with the ruling by the Second Circuit of Appeals, and as with every action I have taken with respect to the 2009 federal housing settlement entered into by my predecessor Andrew Spano, I will comply with the law and continue to take principled stands on behalf of the people of Westchester.
"My objection to source of income legislation has never been about the Section 8 program, which provides vouchers to supplement the rent of low-income residents. My objection has been turning this worthwhile voluntary program into a mandatory one that would compel every owner of a house or apartment to do business with the federal government – and take on all the rules and regulations that entails – upon a tenant's presentation of a Section 8 voucher. I also felt that the source of income legislation would be detrimental to the housing settlement because it would act as a disincentive for developers to build affordable housing.
"The county is already in compliance with the ruling because the Second Circuit in taking on the appeal never granted the county a 'stay' from the lower court ruling, which it has now affirmed. As part of that compliance with the lower court order of Judge Denise Cote, I asked the county Board of Legislators back on August 31, 2012 to reintroduce the source of income legislation that had previously been before it. The matter is now in the hands of the Board of Legislators."