New York officials have completed a $98 million affordable housing development in the Town of Huntington, ending a project whose roots stretch back nearly five decades and through a landmark federal fair-housing case.
Matinecock Court includes 145 limited-equity cooperative homes in 17 two-story buildings, Gov. Kathy Hochul's office announced. The development is near the Northport Long Island Rail Road station, public transportation, schools and community services.
Homes serve families and residents with support needs
The development offers one-, two- and three-bedroom homes for households earning up to 80% of the area median income. Under the limited-equity cooperative structure, residents purchase shares while restrictions keep the homes affordable for future buyers.
Eight apartments are reserved for people with developmental disabilities who will receive supportive services. Four homes are set aside for veterans, 15 are accessible to people with mobility impairments and six are designed for residents with hearing or visual impairments.
Amenities include a clubhouse, parking and private patios. State officials said the location gives residents access to transit and nearby schools without requiring a car for every trip.
Matinecock Court was built as an all-electric development. Its buildings include heat pumps, added insulation, LED lighting, low-flow plumbing fixtures and other features intended to reduce energy use and utility costs.
Officials said the project meets Energy Star standards and supports the state's effort to electrify affordable housing. The design also aims to improve indoor comfort and reduce fossil-fuel use.
Decades of litigation preceded construction
The housing proposal dates to 1978, when advocates sought zoning approval in Huntington. The dispute became a major federal fair-housing case after the town declined to rezone the property for multifamily housing.
In 1988, the U.S. Supreme Court left in place a federal appeals court ruling that found Huntington's zoning practices violated the Fair Housing Act. Later settlements and planning agreements cleared a path for the development, although construction did not follow immediately.
State officials described the completion as the result of sustained work by housing advocates, local partners and residents. Hochul said the project turns a long-delayed fair-housing commitment into homes for Suffolk County families.
The New York State Homes and Community Renewal financing package included more than $36 million in equity generated through federal and state low-income housing tax credits and $28 million in state subsidy.
The state Office for People With Developmental Disabilities provided $1.7 million, Empire State Development contributed $1 million and Suffolk County supplied $4.2 million. OPWDD also will support services for residents in the eight designated apartments.
Project fits broader state housing plan
Homes and Community Renewal said it has financed more than 2,500 homes in Suffolk County in recent years. Matinecock Court adds ownership opportunities to a region where high land and housing costs have limited affordable options.
The development is part of New York's five-year, $25 billion housing plan, which calls for creating or preserving 100,000 affordable homes. The target includes 10,000 homes with support services and the electrification of 50,000 units.
State officials said more than 87,000 homes have been created or preserved under the plan so far. The current state budget also includes $250 million for additional housing capital projects.
Hochul's office said more than 450 municipalities have been certified as Pro-Housing Communities. That designation gives local governments access to as much as $750 million in state discretionary funding tied to housing growth.
Other state actions have included changes to environmental review and incentives intended to speed development. Supporters say those measures can help address a statewide shortage, while local decisions still determine where many projects can be built.
Matinecock Court's completion carries particular significance because of its legal history. The case became an important example of how zoning rules can create discriminatory effects even without explicitly excluding residents by race.
Residents will own shares in the cooperative rather than rent conventional apartments. Housing officials said the model is intended to provide stability and a modest ownership stake while preserving long-term affordability.
Applications, eligibility rules and availability are handled through the development's housing process. Prospective residents should rely on official program information and avoid paying anyone who promises guaranteed placement.
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