PLATTSBURGH -- Tom Gross relishes the peace outside the three-bedroom townhouse he shares with his wife, Doris, and daughter, Charlotte.

In the Thomas F. Conway Apartments on Bushey Boulevard, he has scenic views of open space, trees and sky. He and his family are among the 79 people living in the 51-unit complex.

"These are the nicest apartments in all of housing," said Gross, who has lived nine years in Plattsburgh Housing. "It's a lot more quiet over here. That's a big factor. This is like night and day. Like any place, you have the good and the bad."

Originally from Long Island, he lived in West Palm Beach, Fla., for 16 years but moved here when his wife became ill. He had health issues, too.

"It was hard. I was a field supervisor for a lawn-maintenance company. I got hurt. My back was destroyed."

Their daughter was born in Plattsburgh. The new addition to their family is Rusty, the cat.

"We're very happy over here. Years ago, the process (to get in) wasn't that long. Now, from what I understand, the process is a long time. We waited a few months."

PETS ALLOWED

Having pets in housing is among the quality-of-life changes that Cheryl Dame helped implement when she was a resident commissioner for the Housing Authority.

"Purina Dog Food Company initiated with HUD in Washington that people should be able to have pets," Dame said. "It was passed; then we didn't get any guidelines from HUD. We had to make our own guidelines, and we did."

Residents pay a $350 fee for pets.

"I wanted it to be $500, so the people would really take care of their pets," Dame said.

"We're very close in proximity here. I didn't want John Doe on this side of me and Sally Smith on this side and their dog going outside each day, and I step in dog poop because they're not taking care of their pet."

LESS CLOSENESS

In the 1960s, Dame recalled, the housing-project vibe was really nice.