An elected Democratic county legislator in Westchester County, New York, is currently facing scrutiny for allegedly purchasing a New York City apartment through an affordable housing program and using it as an investment property. The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development is investigating whether Vedat Gashi, the Chairman of the Westchester Board of Legislators, violated the regulatory agreement governing a 12-unit building in Manhattan’s Upper West Side.
According to the Rockland/Westchester Journal News, Gashi and his wife have owned a four-bedroom affordable co-op in Manhattan since 2015. However, the agreement states that the apartment should serve as Gashi’s primary residence, while the legislator actually lives in a separate five-bedroom residence in Yorktown. Gashi claims to have been granted a written exemption by the co-op’s board, but he has not provided proof of this exemption.
Interestingly, Gashi listed the apartment as a business venture on his financial disclosure statement to the county. He has stated that he is currently renting out the apartment but did not clarify how long he has lived there. William Fowler, a spokesperson for the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, explained that while subletting is allowed for up to 18 months within a five-year period, the apartment must still be the owner’s primary residence.
Gashi, a real estate attorney who was elected to the county board in 2019 and became chairperson in May of this year, denies any wrongdoing. He insists that he and his wife purchased the apartment in 2015 to be their family home but ultimately relocated to Yorktown, where they now live with their children. Gashi claims to have followed all housing rules and sought written permission from the co-op for their use of the residence.
This isn’t the first time a Democratic Westchester County legislator has faced controversy regarding affordable housing. Chris Johnson resigned last month after moving out of his affordable condo and into a nearly $800,000 home outside his district. Gashi had previously served on a committee that investigated Johnson’s housing situation.
Vedat Gashi is currently running for reelection as a Westchester County legislator. His Republican challenger, Dan Branda, has criticized him for the alleged violation of the regulatory agreement, stating that it is insulting for Gashi to claim ignorance or special permissions regarding the legal restrictions of his affordable housing apartment. Branda suggests that someone as experienced and knowledgeable as Gashi should be aware of the rules governing his career.
Additional comments from Gashi’s office and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development have not been provided at this time.
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