Suffolk County Executive Bellone Announces Two New East End Affordable Housing Developments
Construction Slated to Begin This Summer on Vineyard Views and Gansett Meadow
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone today announce that the County has recently closed on two affordable housing projects on the East End. The first project, Gansett Meadow will be located in Amagansett, and the second project, Vineyard View, will be located in Greenport. In total the county contributed over $1.8 million to both projects.
“Investing in affordable housing projects, especially on our east end, is critical to ensuring more of our hardworking residents have access to a home in one of these vibrant communities,” said Suffolk County Executive Bellone. “These two developments, once complete, will help our east end continue to thrive.”
“Long Island with its high housing costs and property taxes is in danger of losing its working-age population, which is vital to a vibrant economy and growing our communities,” said Legislator Bridget Fleming. “Additionally, we are a coastal community and have to look at the cost of carbon emissions as a result of increasing commuting time. One way is to live closer to where we work and shop. I am proud that Suffolk County’s Affordable Housing Opportunities Program and other infrastructure projects can assist local governments and private developers in meeting these challenges. We have a long way to go but our goals are clear. And these important projects show government is listening and responding to the needs of the community. I’m proud to be part of it.”
“This project will fill some of the need for affordable housing in the Town of Southold, but we must do more and be innovative in providing different types of affordable housing,” said Legislator Krupski. “I also believe strongly that when the community invests in affordable housing, it must remain affordable in perpetuity.”
Dave Gallo, President and Founder, Georgica Greens, LLC said: “I want to thank you all for your hard work in getting to this point. Developing affordable housing in Amagansett is not only groundbreaking for one community—it is revolutionizing the entire affordable housing industry. This team is making history, and I couldn’t be more proud to be doing this work beside all of you. None of this would be possible without Katie Casey’s steadfast determination to make Gansett Meadow a reality. Thank you to Jung Chin and the HCR team, Suffolk County, TD Bank, Boston Financial, and CPC for investing in us and believing in us. You are true partners.”
Gwen O'Shea, President and CEO, Community Development Corporation of Long Island said: “CDCLI is proud to partner with Conifer Realty in creating Vineyard View, which will be a spectacular residence for 50 families. This type of residence is dependent on a strong public-private partnership at all levels. We commend the leadership of the Town of Southold and their Housing Commission for proactively addressing the unaffordable housing crisis on Long Island and in their community. It would be impossible to bring an opportunity of this size to fruition without the leadership and support of Suffolk County. Their commitment and financial support allow developments like Vineyard View to go from an idea to an actual home.”
Joanna Cuevas, Sr. Project Director, Conifer Realty said: “Conifer Realty has partnered with CDCLI and Suffolk County for over a decade to provide high quality affordable housing for Long Island households. We appreciate the County’s programs and staff, which make the development of affordable housing possible in local communities and help provide ‘A HOME for Possibilities,’ for those who need it most. We are pleased to have worked diligently with the County once again to provide homes for over 50 families in the Town of Southold. Infrastructure support was also made possible in partnership with the Village of Greenport.”
The Gansett Meadow development project will be located in Amagansett and less than half a mile away for the Long Island Rail Road station. The project will include 37 units, 36 of which will be affordable to residents. The unit mix will include 1 Bedroom, 2 Bedroom, 3 Bedroom, and 4 Bedroom apartments. The co-developers for the project are Georgica Green Ventures, LLC and the East Hampton Housing Authority.
The project is expected to cost approximately $23 million, and the County will contribute over $1.1 million. Additional funding sources include New York State Homes and Community Renewal, the Community Preservation Corporation, and the Middle Income Housing Program.
The second development, Vineyard View, will be located in Greenport just a little over 1 mile from the Greenport Train Station. There will be a total of 50 affordable units comprising of 1, 2, and 3 bedrooms. 50% of the units will be affordable in perpetuity, which will be mixed throughout the development, with 7 one-bedroom units, 14 two-bedroom units, and 7 three-bedroom units being restricted at 80% AMI. The 17 acre site will consist of 7 two story residential buildings, and one community facility building.
The project is expected to cost approximately $22 million, and the County will contribute $700,000. Additional funding sources include, the Town of Southold, New York State Homes and Community Renewal, Community Development Corporation of Long Island and the Community Development Trust, LP. The development team consist of Conifer Realty, LLC and Community Development Corporation of Long Island.
Both projects complement County Executive Bellone’s Connect Long Island Initiative, a regional transportation and development plan that promotes long-term economic growth in Suffolk County through a model of increased access and mobility by alternative modes of transportation. The plan supports investments in regional mass transit systems, such as the Long Island Rail Road, the implementation of new transit modes, the creation of transit-oriented developments and the connection of these transit-oriented developments and downtown areas to major research and educational institutions.
Under the leadership of County Executive Bellone and the Suffolk County Legislature, between 2012 to 2019 the County has moved forward on delivering 315 affordable housing units, which is over four times the amount of units delivered in the same area in the previous nine years, from 2002 to 2011, when only 74 affordable units were created.
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