9/30/2014 - Town Announces Lottery Program for 15 New Homes in New Cassel


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 29, 2014
MEDIA CONTACTS: Carole Trottere, Ryan Mulholland, Sam Marksheid, and Rebecca Cheng | (516) 869-7794

Town Announces Lottery Program for 15 New Homes in New Cassel
Deadline for applications is November 7

North Hempstead, NY – Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth, the Town Board, the North Hempstead Community Development Agency (CDA) and Nassau County, in conjunction with the Long Island Housing Partnership, Inc., are pleased to announce a home ownership lottery for the North Hempstead Housing Workforce Program. The program consists of 15 affordable newly-constructed homes in New Cassel for those eligible households that meet certain income requirements.

This new initiative, which the Town is calling the North Hempstead Workforce Housing Program, consists of the construction of three, two-story three bedroom single-family homes, and 11, two-story three bedroom townhomes. In addition, there will be one totally renovated preexisting home available for purchase. All of the homes should be constructed by the end of 2015. The cooperative efforts of the Town, the Town’s CDA, Nassau County, New York State Homes and Community Renewal and the L.I. Housing Partnership, Inc. have enabled the homes to be sold to eligible homebuyers at much lower than market value.

“I am so pleased to be part of this creative initiative,” said Supervisor Judi Bosworth. “The housing lottery will provide an opportunity for people who otherwise might not have had the ability to do so to own homes. Home ownership transforms a person, giving him or her dignity and a safe place to raise a family. It is only through the cooperative efforts of the Town, the CDA, the Long Island Housing Partnership, Inc., Nassau County and the State that we are able to produce such positive results that benefit our entire community.”

Councilwoman Viviana Russell, who represents the Westbury area, said of the program, "Providing affordable housing has been a key component to our ongoing Revitalization of New Cassel. These new homes will complement the new Cathedral Place Apartment Complex that opened last year. While this only puts a dent in the shortage of affordable housing in Nassau County, it sets us on the right path to be a model for quality affordable housing in other communities."

"The Community Development Agency (“CDA”) is proud to be the lead agency in the acquisition, design, construction and marketing of these properties,” Lamont Bailey, CDA Chairman said. “Affordable homeownership is the foundation of community revitalization. CDA is fortunate to have great support and guidance for our programs from Supervisor Bosworth’s administration, Councilwoman Viviana Russell and the entire Town Board, the local community (especially organizations like UNCCRC), Nassau County, which has committed to provide over $2,000,000 for acquisition and construction costs though the HOME Funds Program, and the Long Island Housing Partnership. CDA also commends Cornerstone for all of their efforts thus far and looks forward to continuing to work with them to complete the 11 townhouses."

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano stated, “My administration has made it a priority to increase the number of affordable housing opportunities available to our residents. These homes provide a once in a lifetime opportunity to those who need it the most, while also improving local neighborhoods with beautiful new homes funded by Federal dollars.”

Legislator Siela A. Bynoe said, "Every Nassau resident deserves the opportunity to get their piece of the American Dream. Homeownership is part of that and I am happy and proud that I can be part of the Town and County's initiative to equal the playing field for our local community members to offer them that opportunity."

The Unified New Cassel Community Revitalization Corporation (UNCCRC) has played an integral role in the revitalization of New Cassel in recent years. “I am very pleased to see the Town of North Hempstead and the Community Development Agency in continued partnership with U.N.C.C.R.C. to assist in the New Cassel Revitalization and with the Town’s North Hempstead Workforce Housing Program more families will have the opportunity to become homeowners,” Bishop Lionel Harvey, UNCCRC President and Chairman of the Board said. “This Community continues to get the victory as we stay focused on the goals of revitalization and affordable housing. It’s a blessing what we can do when we all work together.”

Interested individuals must first apply and, if eligible, are then entered into a homeownership lottery. Entrance into this program is limited to households that earn at or below 80% of the Nassau/Suffolk area median income based on household size. A household must be able to qualify for a mortgage and attend a pre-purchase mortgage counseling session. There are no requirements as to where you currently live or work. All applications must be received at LIHP’s office by 5 p.m. on November 7, 2014 or be postmarked by November 7, 2014 to be included in the lottery. Fair housing laws will be followed.

In order to receive an application, please call the Long Island Housing Partnership, Inc. at (631) 435-4710 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, or visit the Long Island Housing Partnership office at 180 Oser Avenue, Suite 800, Hauppauge, NY 11788.