The Town of Hempstead recently increased its fines for illegal housing and is prepared to use the Nail and Mail legislation to serve landlords of illegal occupancies with summonses. But is that enough to eradicate the problem of illegal housing?

The Town of Hempstead has added two code enforcement officers, but that is not all, said Supervisor Kate Murray. The town, she said, has also instituted night shifts from Monday through Friday and Saturday hours for code enforcement officers. "We now have our code enforcement officers going out at night and on Saturdays. They are also going to open houses. We've also noticed that in open houses sometimes, extra income-generating rooms are highlighted by certain people and so that's another way we can sort of go undercover," she said.

Supervisor Murray recently announced the Town of Hempstead has increased its fine for illegal dwellings. According to Murray, previous fines were a maximum of $500 for the first offense, $1,000 for the second offense and $1,500 for the third offense.

The revised fines range from $500 to $1,500 for the first offense; $1,500 to $5,000 for the second offense and $2,500 to $10,000 for the third offense.

Town and municipal leaders hope the combination of fines as well as an effective way to bring illegal landlords to justice, will curb the problem, which is not unique to the Town of Hempstead. "The problem of absentee landlords dividing residential homes into multiple apartments is an issue across Long Island and leaders are working together to remedy the situation," said Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto.

The Town of Hempstead Supervisor, Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor and Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman believe they have the arsenal to fight illegal housing.

However, municipalities are in need of some help. Civic organizations in the West Hempstead and Elmont area have been active with letting the town know about alleged illegal apartments. Supervisor Murray held a press conference for the Nail and Mail legislation in front of an alleged illegal premises that was referred to the town by the Cathedral Gardens Civic Association.

One problem that building inspectors may have in enforcing housing codes is that landlords are entitled to privacy. However, there are sometimes signs that can be seen on the exterior of homes such as multiple meters, doorbells or mailboxes.

Another problem that has led to the spread of illegal housing is the lack of affordable housing as people who cannot afford the high costs of houses on Long Island are forced to rent from existing homeowners who, with mortgages and rising taxes to pay, are all the more willing to rent out part of their home for the extra income.

The problem of illegal housing may never be totally eradicated but it may take a community effort to curb it.