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.