A village in Westchester is hoping to become a city following a report that could see close to half of its residents lose their homes.

This year's City Status for Port Chester report states that if the village's lack of revenue continues to cause property taxes to climb — gentrification could force service-job residents out.

Port Chester is pushing to attain city status, an effort village officials have been on top of for decades.

 

Frank Ferrara, Village of Port Chester trustee, says becoming a city would provide financial relief through state funding of city courts and the power to levy a portion of the sales tax.

Two-thirds of the village's roughly 30,000 residents are Latinx and the majority are also working class.

If city status is unattainable, it could be a harrowing outlook for those who may be driven out by higher property taxes.

It has been nearly 80 years since New York approved a new city, but officials say they feel optimistic this time around. Village officials say they are currently working on putting a charter together for the state Legislature while continuing outreach efforts to elected officials.