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July 19, 2005
A Grand Jury Will Examine Illegal Housing on Long Island
By VIVIAN S. TOY
Stepping into the increasingly heated issue of how Long Island houses its growing immigrant population, the Nassau County district attorney announced yesterday that a special grand jury would investigate illegal and overcrowded housing in the county.

The problem of illegal housing - much of it used to house immigrants who cannot afford to live in other types of residences - has drawn significant attention in recent weeks, with officials in Nassau and Suffolk Counties moving to shut down single-family homes that have been turned into illegal rooming houses, including one that had been used to house as many as 64 tenants.

"Some of the current conditions in which residents live are not only illegal but terribly dangerous," said Denis Dillon, the Nassau County district attorney. "This is a complex, multifaceted issue that needs immediate attention."

While most grand juries consider indictments for criminal conduct, Mr. Dillon said this panel would be charged with studying illegal housing over the next six months and possibly issuing a report with recommendations on legislative changes that might help solve the problem.

Mr. Dillon, who is seeking re-election this fall to his ninth term in office, said the grand jury would also consider "nonfeasance or neglect in public office" if it uncovers evidence of officials not enforcing housing laws.

"If we come across criminal action, we'll prosecute, but we're not looking to find criminality," he said. "This is a very difficult situation that confronts public officials at several levels of government and we're trying to get a deep look at its causes, its effects and possible solutions that would be helpful to everybody."

Mr. Dillon said grand jury witnesses would include "people from agencies that are supposed to guard our borders and people from local government, to address why there is no affordable housing." He said he hoped to answer questions like: "Why are these people coming here? Are they needed as workers in various industries? And what are localities supposed to do if they do need them for work?"

In recent months, Mr. Dillon said, his office's criminal frauds bureau has helped the Towns of Hempstead and North Hempstead investigate illegal housing complaints.