Community Corner

Survey Finds Increase in Vacant Units

Data also notes increase in multi-unit housing in Glen Cove.

A report released Tuesday reveals an increase in the number of vacant housing units in the City of Glen Cove and a rise in the number of multi-unit housing developments.

The American Community Survey – which uses information from the U.S. Census Bureau – sifted through five years of data, from 2005-09. 

Among the findings about the City of Glen Cove:

The number of vacant housing units leapt from 2.8 percent in 2000 to 5.2 percent in 2009. The 2009 report estimates 515 vacant units.

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While the number of single family owner-occupied homes remains stable since 2000, at 58.5 percent, there has been a significant rise in the development of multi-unit homes in the past five years.

The 2000 report estimated that 6.6 percent of housing units were located in a structure that included 20 or more units. That number has since shot up to 10.76 percent in the most recent report–an estimated total of 1,076 units compared to 639 in 2000.

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Projects like  – two luxury apartment complexes designed to house 365 units and approved by the Glen Cove Planning Board in 2001 – may be the reason behind the increase in both multi-unit homes and vacancies. 

Local realtor Roberta Cerasi said that Avalon and other planned unit housing is good for Glen Cove, despite the rise in vacancies.

"Change is not always a good thing; however, well reasoned and planned progress can revitalize a community," said Cerasi, an agent at . "Additionally, today's renters will often become tomorrows purchasers,  ensuring  the maintenance and vibrancy of the cities real estate market."

On housing, the study found that home ownership continued to grow while the percentage of rentals declined.

In Glen Cove, single-family, owner-occupied, detached units increased from 5,533 in 2000 to 6,027 by 2009. 

The number of rental-occupied housing units has dropped from 41.5 percent in 2000 to 33.6 percent in 2009.

Cerasi said that renters should be viewed as potential homeowners in the community:  "Our new citizens will become the future of Glen Coves famous volunteer cadre and valued members of our social hub," she said.

Mayor Ralph Suozzi also said that the the new housing structures have been a benefit to the city for multiple reasons: "They allow new housing options for people looking for and seeking alternatives to the existing post-World War II suburban housing model; they bring new customers into our retail establishments, cultural venues and houses of worship," Suozzi said. "It also, especially in the case of the Avalons, provides a home for people who are looking to move into or out of single family dwellings as they enter different phases of their lives."


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