Nassau County placed sex offender and child in same house

Nassau County's Department of Social Services (DSS) placed 28 people in a single Village of Hempstead home, including a sex offender and a child. "[DSS officials] have a computer, they know who they're

News 12 Staff

Mar 13, 2007, 8:56 PM

Updated 6,390 days ago

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Nassau County's Department of Social Services (DSS) placed 28 people in a single Village of Hempstead home, including a sex offender and a child.
"[DSS officials] have a computer, they know who they're placing" said Desiree Wright, owner of the Grove Street home. "They give me the people and I accept them and give them a place to stay."
DSS confirmed the county is paying for 11 people to stay at the resident at $425 a person. DSS said the county inspects homes when they are first approved for use, but not afterwards. Wright's home, last inspected in 1956, is approved for two apartments. However, village inspectors found 10 living areas. The village plans on issuing summonses soon.
Meanwhile, DSS Program Coordinator Karen Garber defended her department, saying, "we have an obligation to house the homeless." Nonetheless, the county will stop paying for people to live at Wright's house on March 31.