Rockland County Launches Campaign to Raise Awareness About Affordable Housing

YSR.

Rockland County has announced a new campaign Friday aimed at helping residents better understand affordable housing, as the county continues to face a housing shortage.

The initiative, called “Keep Rockland Home,” was introduced at the county’s annual Housing Forum in New City. The campaign is meant to explain what affordable housing actually is and who it serves, including teachers, first responders, seniors, and young families.

County Executive Ed Day said that while more housing is needed, many proposed developments often face pushback from residents due to misunderstanding and stigma. The campaign is intended to respond to those concerns by providing clearer information and showing the role affordable housing plays in the community.

According to a county housing study released in 2023, more than 40 percent of Rockland residents spend at least 30 percent of their income on housing, leaving less room for other expenses.

Officials say the campaign will focus on outreach and public education, as the county looks to build a better understanding of future housing efforts.