The Downward Glide
For a while, the Jones Institute was able to adapt to the evolving twentieth century "social landscape" of Long Island and the nation. With the advent of Social Security, the residents' benefit payments were added to the funding mix; later, payments from the Nassau County Department of Social Services also were added. By the 1970s, however, other demands on the County's purse led to the latter being discontinued. Instead, residents received smaller payments of Supplemental Security Income. In addition, after 60 years, the aging structure had become increasingly expensive to maintain.
The operational deficit grew steadily, and as things stood, the Institute appeared to no longer be viable. The Fund began to consider its options, including the possibility of shuttering the facility. Things were effectively decided when the Fund received a generous unexpected offer for the Hicksville property, from a business that was willing to pay significantly more than market value. The Fund believed that an immediate sale at that price would allow it to promptly re-establish the Institute in a new building elsewhere.
Ironically, news of the pending sale triggered a legal action on behalf of the 55 current residents, who did not wish to move. Things dragged on, and the would-be purchaser lost confidence in being able to own the site by the time it was required. The deficit kept growing, until part of the property was sold, and the proceeds were used to clear the increased accumulated debt. With too little time, and too little money in the Fund to quickly replace the Institute, the residents were transferred to a number of other locations, the empty home was closed in 1980, and the remaining property was sold.
Samuel Jones's idea had finally died - well, almost.
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