The Town of East Hampton has been officially designated as the first town on Long Island to be named a Pro-Housing Community by New York State. This certification acknowledges East Hampton's commitment to fostering affordable housing growth to meet the needs of residents and gives the town a priority status in the administration of up to $650 million in New York State discretionary funds.
The Pro-Housing Community Program, administered by New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), is now a mandatory requirement for municipalities wishing to apply for specific grant programs. The certification process involves demonstrating success in promoting housing growth through local zoning codes and housing permit approvals over the past five years.
East Hampton achieved certification through the passage of a resolution, on March 7, 2024, committing to the principles of the Pro-Housing Community program and by submitting detailed documentation of local zoning codes and housing permits of the past five years. This milestone highlights the towns proactive efforts to meet the needs of its residents.
East Hampton Town has been a leader on Long Island in the creation of affordable housing. The Town, through the work of the Town Board, the East Hampton Housing Authority, Windmill Development Corp., and other housing agencies has created 531 affordable housing units as of 2021. With the soon to be completed Three Mile Harbor units, the proposed Route 114 Community Housing project, and the Cantwell Court development, 116 additional affordable housing units will be available in the near term. With a total of 647 affordable housing units created for a year-round population of 28,385, or 22.8 units per 1,000 individuals in East Hampton, this makes the town by far the leader in created affordable housing per capita on Long Island.
As a certified Pro-Housing Community, East Hampton will now be prioritized for a range of discretionary funding programs, including the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, the Long Island Investment Fund, the Public Transportation Modernization Enhancement Program and others.
“We are thrilled to receive this designation, which underscores our ongoing efforts to support and enhance affordable housing development in East Hampton,” said East Hampton Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez. “This designation will open up new opportunities for the town and the East Hampton Housing Authority to access funding that can drive much needed projects in our community. We are excited about the potential to leverage these resources to enhance our infrastructure, support local businesses, preserve our environment, and create more housing options for our residents. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff in the Housing and Community Development, Information Technology, and the Building Departments.”
East Hampton Town Councilmember Ian Calder-Piedmonte added, “This certification is a pivotal step for East Hampton. By achieving Pro-Housing Community status, we are not only affirming our dedication to tackling housing challenges, but also securing crucial resources that will significantly improve our town. This will enable us to invest in essential projects that
enhance our community’s quality of life and provide more affordable housing opportunities for residents.”
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