Suffolk County operates several programs to support and encourage the creation of affordable and workforce housing through the Department of Economic Development and Planning and the Suffolk County housing opportunities programs. Details and applications for these programs are available by clicking on the respective program links found below. These programs are authorized and governed by Article XXXVI and Chapter 1151 of the Suffolk County Administrative Code.
The Affordable and Workforce Housing Land Acquisition Program encourages the development of affordable and workforce housing by contributing of Land Acquisition funding through the use of Capital Bond proceeds. High property costs in Suffolk County make it difficult to obtain land to construct homes that can be affordable for individuals with incomes at or below 120% of the HUD-established area median income. Land Acquisition funds are contributed prior to the developer’s acquisition of land to reduce the cost burden and allow developers to charge less for the rent or purchase price of newly constructed or rehabilitated units.
The Affordable and Workforce Housing Infrastructure Program encourages the development of affordable and workforce housing by contributing of Infrastructure funding through the use of Capital Bond proceeds. The County partners with developers at early stages in the development process and will reimburse the developer for infrastructure costs when construction is completed to reduce the cost burden and allow developers to charge less for the rent or purchase price of newly constructed or rehabilitated units. Eligible infrastructure improvements include, but are not limited to roads, parking, sewers, water, sidewalks, street lighting and appurtenant landscaping within the development area.
The Save Open Space, Farmland Preservation, and Hamlet Parks Fund and the ¼% Drinking Water Protection Program for Environmental Protection (together the “Programs”) provide the ability for the County to preserve open space, protect farmlands and create additional new parklands. The Programs also allow the County to transfer development rights from properties acquired pursuant to the Programs for open space and passive parkland purposes to non-environmentally sensitive properties to facilitate the construction of affordable ownership and rental workforce housing. A Workforce Housing Development Right essentially represents an “equivalent dwelling unit,” the waste-water-generating equivalent of a single-family residence, which has a wastewater design flow of 300 gallons per day.
The New York State General Municipal Law §72-h Transfer Program allows the County to transfer parcels currently in the County’s real estate inventory to municipalities for the construction or rehabilitation of affordable housing for individuals whose income does not exceed 120% of the HUD-established area median income limits.
The Suffolk County Transfer Program for Veterans Housing and Support Services allows the County to transfer parcels currently in the County’s real estate inventory to Not for Profit organizations to construct or rehabilitate affordable housing for military veterans.