Slater introduces bill to ensure safe housing transfers for domestic violence victims

SOMERS, N.Y. — Assemblyman Matt Slater was in Somers on Friday, March 28 to propose the Safe Housing Transfer for Domestic Violence Victims Act. 

At Somers Town Hall, formerly the historic Elephant Hotel, Slater, whose district includes parts of Putnam and Westchester counties, including the towns of Somers and Yorktown, was joined by Somers Town Supervisor Rob Scorrano, Yorktown Town Supervisor Ed Lachterman, Piaget Solpiaget, executive director of the Putnam/Northern Westchester Women’s Resource Center, other community partners, and Christina Raimondi and her sister, Kim. 

Slater called domestic violence a “significant issue” across New York State and within local communities.  

During the Friday morning press conference, he highlighted the need for legislation to ensure safe housing transfers for domestic violence survivors. The bill would grant survivors living in affordable or public housing the right to request an emergency relocation to a different unit owned by the same landlord or public housing authority. 

“Recently due to a real horrific tragedy, we were working—as you can see behind me —with some great partners to help an incredible family through a very trying time,” Slater said during the press conference. “During that process we discovered that the housing laws here in New York State don’t do enough to help victims of domestic violence. They don’t do enough to make sure that victims of domestic violence and their families are not only restabilized but are put on a path for recovery and put on a path to live a full life.”  

Slater called Raimondi “arguably one of the most courageous individuals that we could possibly know.”  

On Oct. 28, 2024, Raimondi and her sons Michael and Matthew were shot by Fernando Jimenez at their apartment complex in Baldwin Place. At the time of the incident, Halston Media reported that Jimenez was apprehended the following morning after an extensive manhunt. 

Michael Raimondi, 15, was killed in the attack, and his mother Christina, 38, and younger brother Matthew, who was 13 at the time, were critically wounded. According to previous reporting from Halston Media, though living in Somers at the time of the shooting, the Raimondis had previously attended Yorktown schools and had ties back to the town. 

To her, local support from both Yorktown and Somers means everything. Though it’s a situation she never wanted to be in, she expressed gratitude to Slater and town officials for their efforts to support victims and survivors of domestic violence. 

She said the legislation represents an opportunity to protect and assist future victims. 

“Unfortunately, domestic violence—there's no end in sight,” she said. “This legislation is a big help to victims such as myself.”  

Scorrano said the legislation introduced by Slater is a step forward in protecting vulnerable members of his community and those in surrounding areas. He urged Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign the bill as soon as it reaches her desk and said it should receive unanimous support from both political parties. 

“No one should be forced to relieve the worst nightmare just to keep a roof of their head,” he said, adding that the current system forces domestic violence survivors to “choose between stability and their own wellbeing. This is just plain unacceptable.”  

Lachterman said Albany must recognize the magnitude of the issue at hand.  

“This is not politics,” he said. “This is really about helping people who need it.”  

Solpiaget, who Slater said helped write and review the legislation, said Friday was a step forward, but there is still work to be done.  

“Every year thousands of individuals, primarily women and children, are forced to make an unthinkable choice,” he said. “Stay in an abusive relationship or face homelessness. This is not a choice that anyone should have to face.”  

According to Solpiaget, domestic violence is the leading cause of homelessness.  

“Today we offer hope,” he said. “But hope is not a feeling, hope is an action. And today, together, we are taking action once step further to making our community safe.”