A poignant resignation from council member Ella Scrocki at last week’s Village Council meeting underscored a growing concern in Empire— the difficulty of finding housing for those who live and work in the community.
Skrocki closed out the meeting by stepping down from her position, telling fellow council members she could no longer secure stable housing in the village she calls home.
“I’m faced with the devastating reality that it is not feasible to have a home of my own in my precious hometown,” she said, her voice breaking as she read from a prepared statement. “After doing my absolute darndest to stay…I am relocating outside of Empire.”
Skrocki, a lifelong resident and local business owner, framed her decision as part of a broader pattern affecting younger residents and the local workforce.
“I’m not alone in this struggle,” she said. “Many young, longtime residents are unable to find stable, year round rentals or afford to buy and keep a home here. They’re being pushed to build their lives and grow their families elsewhere, just as I am.”
Skrocki said she hoped to keep attention on the expansion of short-term rentals and second-home ownership, which she sees as a key driver of the problem.
“I’ve personally been outbid twice on homes that are now short term rentals,” she said. “Well over asking cash offers push prices higher, which contributes to rising home values and, over time, higher property taxes, making it harder for local families to stay.”
While Empire’s master plan includes goals around attainable housing, Skrocki suggested more immediate policy conversations may be needed.
She recommended local attorney Sean Clark to fill her seat saying, “as a young member of the community, and an attorney, he brings valuable perspective and a thoughtful approach that would serve the village well.”
She finished her statement by thanking her fellow council members for their “time, collaboration, and commitment to this place,” and emphasized her hopes to call the village home again in the future.
Her resignation was accepted by the council, and other members acknowledged her service and the issue she raised.
“I’m really sorry to see you go, and I understand why,” council member Meg Walton said, adding that the village may need to “brainstorm ideas” to better support younger residents and workforce housing.
Council member Maggie Bacon pointed to the village’s master plan, which identifies potential opportunities for housing development, but noted those efforts will require developers and longterm planning.
