Rockland Establishes 'Home Rule Autonomy in Housing' Law

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — Two top Rockland officials, the county executive and the chairman of the legislature, jointly announced Wednesday the establishment of a new law to combat New York City's migrant crisis.

Called the Home Rule Autonomy in Housing Act, the law, which was approved Tuesday by the Rockland County Board of Legislators, codifies the protection conferred by the emergency declarations starting in May which prohibited municipalities from housing people in Rockland. County Executive Ed Day declared a state of emergency after learning of New York City's plan to temporarily house 340 asylum-seekers in a hotel in Orangeburg.

SEE:

• Rockland Issues New Emergency Order On Asylum-Seekers
• Migrant Emergency Orders Are Unconstitutional: Federal Judge
• NYC Plan For Migrants Like 'Human Trafficking' - Rockland County Exec

Pointing out that New York is a home rule state so New York City has no authority in Rockland, Day said the new law prevents any outside jurisdiction or organization from unilaterally deciding to establish or operate housing programs in Rockland.

The local law states that no municipality or property owner in Rockland may participate in or establish such a program without a license issued by the county government.

"This law is another important tool we can use to make sure Rockland County taxpayers and neighborhoods are protected," said Legislative Chairman Jay Hood, Jr.

Violation of the law is a misdemeanor offense carrying up to $1,000 penalty per day and/or up to one year of incarceration. For municipal corporations, a civil penalty may be assessed for violations up to $50,000 per violation, per day.

Day thanked County Attorney Thomas Humbach for crafting the law.

"I’d also like to thank Legislative Counsel Elana Yeger and Majority Leader Alden Wolfe for working long hours with the County Attorney to make sure the law would do exactly what it was intended to do, that is to make sure another municipality does not create a housing program within our borders," Hood said.

The vote on the law set off an election-season fight between Hood and Legislator James Foley, who had accused Wolfe of holding back a vote on the bill as leverage to get county funding for sidewalks in the town of Ramapo. Foley also accused Rockland Democrats of supporting "migrant dumping" and said the members of the Legislature from Ramapo were "corrupt and dishonest."

Hood said the Legislature had steadfastly backed the county's fight against New York City's plan, which continues in court.

SEE: With 'No Faith' In NYC, Judge Grants Rockland Injunction Over Migrants