Lorna Cherot Littleway is reporting for The Columbia Paper the chairs of the Hillsdale Housing Committee, Ellen Levy and Janis Smythe, recently reported to the town board on the status of housing opportunities. To begin, Levy noted the town's comprehensive plan requires that "a variety of housing opportunities," be provided for residents. According to the committee's findings, 25 percent of Hillsdale households spend 30 percent of their income on housing; less than 25 percent of Hillsdale's housing stock are rentals, a reduction from three years ago; the rental vacancy rate is 5 percent; and the average cost of a home in Hillsdale is $400,000. Levy said she spoke with three local real estate salespeople who reported properties for sale are not staying on the market for long. Referring to the COVID-19 pandemic, Levy said, “Everyone is trying to get another house to have an escape.” Also, “It’s getting more and more expensive to build in Hillsdale.” Cipkowski asked if a Habitat for Humanity house was an option in Hamlet Park. Hamlet Committee member Bart Ziegler said dwellings in parkland require legislative approval, which he did not think likely “in our lifetime;” Ward said the town did not have the financial resources to invest in public housing. Smythe countered, saying there was a “lot of misinformation” regarding homes in Hamlet Park and suggested the town’s committee members meet and brainstorm about the town's direction. Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.