Officials: Sex offender housing in limbo

After Suffolk County legislators narrowly failed to override a veto that would have allowed the housing of homeless sex offenders in mini-shelters around the county, officials say a resolution to the long-running dispute is in political limbo.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy plans to resurrect the idea of handing out $90 hotel vouchers instead of continuing to house the 25 to 30 offenders in two trailers in Southampton Town, both in the Southampton area, spokesman Mark Smith said Wednesday, a day after lawmakers overrode Levy's veto.

"The county executive is going to lobby again for the voucher system," Smith said.

However, Suffolk legislators already have rejected the voucher system for a variety of reasons, including concern that sex offenders would end up in motels near young children.

"I don't know what to do next," said presiding officer William Lindsay (D-Holbrook). "I really don't."

The question of what to do about the homeless sex offenders has been politically charged, particularly because no community wants them.

Levy last year proposed the voucher idea, which theoretically could spread the burden beyond Southampton.

"We're willing to do our part, but don't give us everybody," said Legis. Jay Schneiderman (I-Montauk).

However, the majority of legislators raised concerns, including what would happen if the sex offenders showed up in motels.

"Where are they going to stay for $90 a night? Motels with other homeless - families with single women and children," Legis. Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) said Wednesday.

Legislators have refused to fund the voucher program, and instead in December pushed the idea of creating a network of minishelters throughout the county.

That plan drew opposition, and Levy's veto, in part because the lone bidder, White Plains-based Community Housing Innovations Inc., said it would not disclose the location of the shelters until after they opened.

The shelters would have been located in industrial areas, and no town or legislative district would have more than one.

The shelters also would have had 24-hour-a-day supervision and counseling.

Tuesday night, legislators fell two votes short of the 12 votes needed to override the veto, leaving the situation in limbo.

Schneiderman expressed some hope Wednesday about the prospects for another measure passed by the legislature that would allow Suffolk County to consider another bidder to provide the network of shelters - but he acknowledged that Levy has opposed the idea.

Levy spokesman Dan Aug charged that, "Mr. Lindsay's idea of building secret shelters in towns across the county will undoubtedly lead to more parochial bills and lawsuits to stop each specific site, thereby keeping the matter in limbo indefinitely."