Elmont, NY – Assemblywoman Michaelle C. Solages and Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages joined with the Elmont community to demand justice for the residents of 1888 Foster Meadow Lane, a senior housing co-op, one year after flooding displaced the residents and severely damaged the building. For one year, residents have been without the housing they invested in due to the sustained flooding issues on the property and surrounding properties. The group assembled outside 1888 Foster Meadow Lane to call on all levels of government to hasten their action to provide relief by moving forward with the renovation of the building and the remediation of all flooding issues on and near the premises.

Relief has been stalled in part because of a lawsuit filed by Nassau County against the building management company, and in turn, the residents themselves, which would cause further financial strain for co-op residents if successful. Assemblywoman Solages and Legislator Carrie Solages wrote a letter in June asking for the county to drop their lawsuit, citing the need for government at all levels to work collaboratively to expedite returning residents to a safe home environment. Flooding issues in and around the property have persisted over the past few years, which made the building vulnerable to the heavy rainfall experienced in September of 2023. State and federal aid is being sought to help with the expenses associated with mitigation and renovation.

The community rallied in support of the residents and called for cooperation between Nassau County, the Town of Hempstead, and the state to expedite the needed approvals and seek the necessary aid to remediate the flooding issues and complete the necessary renovations to make the building habitable again. Residents have been staying in nursing homes or with family and friends over the past year.

Assemblywoman Solages reiterated the need for urgent support, stating: “Dozens of residents at 1888 Foster Meadow Lane have waited a whole year to get back in their homes. We cannot allow their needs to fall to the wayside– our call for action is urgent, and it is clear. We need collaboration at all levels to finally bring relief to our seniors here in Elmont. I thank the community for showing up and demonstrating their unwavering support for our neighbors.”

Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages said: “Throughout my service as a Nassau County Legislator, I have worked diligently for the residents of 1888 Foster Meadow Lane to restore their quality of life and safeguard their investment in their homes. It is unconscionable that vulnerable seniors have been displaced from their homes for more than a year, and it is long past time for them to get the answers and solutions that they deserve.”

Bob Barker, president of the Locustwood-Gotham Civic Association, said: “Elmont is a community where neighbors look after each other. Our entire community stands with the residents of 1888 Foster Meadow Lane as they fight to get back the homes they are entitled to. We will continue to stand with them as long as it takes to ensure they get the help they need. I thank Assemblywoman Solages and our entire community for keeping our senior residents front and center.”