In recent years, growing concern has been voiced by residents, local advocates, and community observers about housing practices in certain properties located within “the Mile”—a residential area neighboring New Square, but not within the Village of New Square itself. These concerns do not implicate New Square as a municipality or its official institutions; however, individual landlords, investors, and management entities associated with residents and followers of the New Square Chassidus have been repeatedly mentioned in connection with questionable rental activity, substandard living conditions, and possible tenant exploitation.

Reports of Overcrowded, Unsafe, and Unregulated Living Conditions

Multiple residents in “the Mile” have reported witnessing unusually frequent comings and goings from single-family homes—officially licensed as three- or four-bedroom dwellings—but allegedly occupied by five or more separate families, often of different backgrounds, ages, and nationalities. Observations include multiple adults and children entering or exiting at staggered times, raising concerns that internal spaces—such as garages, basements, or living areas—may have been illegally converted into unregulated sleeping quarters.

While not every conversion is illegal, unpermitted living spaces often lack basic fire protections, emergency exits, smoke and CO detectors, sufficient sanitation, or structurally safe egress points. This raises serious safety risks, particularly for children and non-English-speaking tenants who may be unaware of housing laws or reluctant to report violations.

Health, Psychological, and Social Risks

Advocates and nearby homeowners have voiced concerns about the potential for:

• Excessive mold and moisture damage, leading to respiratory issues
• Overcrowded sleeping spaces, with insufficient privacy or safety
• Poor sanitation, including insufficient bathrooms for the number of residents
• Psychological and social risks, such as exposure to verbal, physical, or emotional mistreatment (especially where oversight is weak)

Some local residents have noted that when dozens of individuals (often unrelated) occupy a structure designed for one family, it becomes increasingly difficult to ensure safety, accountability, and protection against abuse, exploitation, or conflict.

Tenant Vulnerability and Power Imbalance

Whether or not some of the occupants are undocumented, housing rights in New York apply to everyone. Advocates argue that immigration status must never be used as leverage, nor should it be a reason to tolerate unsafe or exploitative living conditions. Tenants may feel unable to complain due to language barriers, cultural unfamiliarity, or fear of eviction — which, according to some observers, creates conditions ripe for complacency or abuse.

One local homeowner within the Mile described the way his taxi driver described it: 

“These houses are treated like cash machines. I would never move into a home owned by New Square-connected landlords. My friends who do are taken advantage of — the condition is often deplorable.”

First Responder Hesitation and Accountability Issues

There are informal reports that some emergency responders have expressed discomfort entering certain properties due to unclear occupancy, safety hazards, or confusion over who is responsible. Allegedly, one officer commented privately to a local homeowner:

“We’ll do everything we can to avoid going into those homes. We don’t know who lives there, who is responsible, or how safe it is inside.”

These remarks – though unofficial – illustrate the public safety challenges that arise when housing becomes opaque, unregulated, and overcrowded.

Alleged Role of Property Management Entities

Public property records and community reports have linked certain management and leasing entities to properties in “the Mile” alleged to be used as informal rooming houses. These include (among others): 

• JCW Management, reportedly associated with Jonathon (Yonason) Weiss, with ties to New Square and offices in New City, NY
• Advanced Management, which online records suggest is owned or operated by Menachem Unger of New Square

According to allegations, such companies may facilitate rental arrangements to multiple unrelated occupants, sometimes without proper inspections or code compliance. Again, no court has determined wrongdoing, but their names consistently surface in public discussion regarding housing conditions, overcrowding, and tenant vulnerability.

The Core Issue: Housing Integrity and Human Dignity

Regardless of who owns the properties, one principle is clear:
All residents — regardless of background, language, income, or immigration status — are entitled to safe, habitable, and legally compliant housing under New York law.

The key concerns raised include:

Concern	Risk
Unpermitted occupants	Fire, structural, and legal hazards
Lack of safety features	Risk to children, emergency responders, and neighbors
Vulnerability of tenants	Increased risk of exploitation or silence
Ethical responsibility of landlords	Duty to maintain dignity and habitability
Community safety impact	Erosion of health, safety, and neighborhood stability

A Call for Oversight, Clarity, and Fair Treatment

This is a call to ensure lawful, ethical housing practices in the Mile and the entire town of Ramapo and Village of New Hempstead – especially when landlords or managers may be profiting from vulnerable tenants living in unsafe or overcrowded conditions.

Housing integrity is not only a legal requirement – it is a matter of dignity, decency, and community responsibility.

Jewish Ethical Principles and the Moral Imperative to Protect the Vulnerable

Beyond the legal and practical concerns, many residents in Monsey and beyond have voiced that these alleged housing practices run counter to core Jewish values of dignity, compassion, and responsibility toward the vulnerable. Jewish law and tradition emphasize “v’ahavta l’rei’acha kamocha, ” treating others as we ourselves would want to be treated – and repeatedly warn against exploiting those who are economically or socially disadvantaged. Across generations, Jewish communities have taken pride in protecting the stranger, the immigrant, and the powerless, remembering our own historical experiences of marginalization. Allowing families – especially those with limited means or limited voice – to live in unsafe, overcrowded, or degrading conditions contradicts the moral obligations that Jewish ethics place upon landlords, neighbors, and anyone in a position of power. These concerns highlight not only a legal issue, but a profound moral responsibility to ensure that every human being is treated with respect, fairness, and compassion.

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Disclaimer: All information presented is based on public discussion, community observations, and reports. These statements reflect concerns and allegations, not established legal conclusions. All individuals and entities are presumed lawful unless proven otherwise in court.