The Long Island Housing Partnership (LIHP) will provide 32 new single-family, affordable homes in North Bellport, each with a one-bedroom accessory apartment. Each home will be built on undeveloped land on Ecke Avenue, then sold to first-time homebuyers through the Long Island Housing Partnership – Community Land Trust program. This announcement was made by Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico and Councilman Mike Loguercio on July 26.
North Bellport stands out as one of two Long Island communities previously granted $4.5 million for downtown improvements through the New York Forward (NYF) Initiative. The program’s goal is to accelerate the revitalization of downtowns through the support of projects that will create vibrant destinations and serve as catalysts for increased investment.
“It’s gratifying to be part of the continuing efforts to revitalize North Bellport,” said Jim Morgo, the New York State co-chair of the New York Forward North Bellport Local Planning Committee. “The New York State/Brookhaven Town and Long Island Housing Partnership public/private partnership is a most effective vehicle to collaborate with the residents of North Bellport to improve their community. The tried-and-true method of stabilizing a neighborhood through well-designed safe and affordable home ownership and rental opportunities began in the 1990s and continues to this day with the Ecke Avenue development that creatively combines affordable home ownership and rental options.”
Morgo said construction is scheduled to begin next year. “Back when I was President of the Housing Partnership, no one believed that North Bellport would be revitalized overnight,” Morgo said. “Fortunately, under Supervisor Panico’s administration, it is clearly committed to continue making North Bellport the best community it can be.”
“The people of North Bellport have a friend, supporter and advocate in their Town Supervisor,” Panico said. “I have made it a priority to help create a better tomorrow and better future for the communities in Brookhaven that have faced substantial issues for far too long. This new housing will complement our past and future efforts and will be, by no means, our last. Whether it be true transit-oriented development and revitalization in the area, improving the park system, and access to housing, we are making real differences for the people.”
Loguercio added, “Providing affordable homes and creating jobs is paramount as we strive to find ways for residents to live and work in the community that they wish to remain in, and not have to move out of state just because their own neighborhood has become unaffordable.”
Peter Elkowitz, the president and chief executive officer of LIHP, said, “Supervisor Panico and the Town of Brookhaven should be commended for their continuous commitment to the revitalization of North Bellport. LIHP has partnered with the Town for decades to bring quality affordable housing to the neighborhood, resulting in the construction of 68 new homes, 14 rehabilitated homes and another 10 single-family homes in the pre-construction phase. We are all excited to work with the Town to develop 32 affordable homes, each with an accessory apartment dwelling unit, on Ecke Avenue — a project that has been in the planning stages for several years.”
Upon receiving New York State approval, the homes will be connected to the recently completed sewer treatment system by D & F Development Group LLC, which supports the beautiful brand-new 70-unit housing development to the south. The LIHP is also requesting funds from the New York State Affordable Housing Corporation (NYSAHC) and other grants. Suffolk County will also assist with Infrastructure funds, and the Brookhaven Town Department of Housing and Community Development will assist by using HOME funds and possibly Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. Completion is expected in 2027.