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Wednesday, May 24, 2006

HUD Funding Creates 20 New Homes In Long Island, N.Y.

Thanks to the Community Development Block Grant Program and HOME, 20 Long Island families will soon be moving from their rental apartments into new and beautiful one-family homes in Bellport, Long Island as part of the Hamlet’s effort to create affordable housing for its residents. HUD played a major part in the project by contributing $276,705 in CDBG funds to pay for infrastructure improvements, such as street and curbing and new water lines, and $600,000 in HOME funds for construction. The families attended a ribbon cutting ceremony marking the opening of these homes as well as helping to kick off CDBG Week in Suffolk County in mid-April. Attending the ceremony were Teresa Bainton, and Kathy Mullins, Director and Deputy Director, respectively, of the CPD program in the HUD New York Regional Office; Steve Levy, Suffolk County Executive; Brian X. Foley, Brookhaven Town Supervisor; and Peter Elkowitz, President of the Long Island Housing Partnership. Ms. Bainton was also presented with a certificate of appreciation for HUD’s contribution to the project.

Pictured from left to right: Steve Levy, Suffolk County Executive, Peter Elkowitz, President of the Long Island Housing Partnership; the Elbaroudy family; and, Brian X. Foley, Supervisor for the Town of Brookhaven.

In addition to HUD funding, the New York State Affordable Housing Corporation contributed $500,000 in matching funds to bring the per-unit cost down to $171,405. Further, Suffolk County gave the land to the Town of Brookhaven for $1.00. The final cost to the homeowners was $116.405; in stark contrast to the $400,000 median price of a Suffolk home now. The Long Island Housing Partnership, the Island’s largest housing advocacy group, monitored the construction phase, conducted the lottery and secured private financing for the mortgages.