Nearly two years ago, Southampton Town began advancing several initiatives aimed at addressing the region’s growing need for affordable housing. Using funds generated through the town’s Community Housing Fund, officials proposed new projects and programs designed to create housing opportunities for local residents and workers across the East End.
One major proposal involved the purchase of two residential lots in Tuckahoe along Magee Street and Moses Lane. If approved, the town would acquire the parcels for approximately $2.5 million and combine them with a nearby five-acre property previously purchased by the town in 2005. Together, the combined seven-acre site could support the development of about ten new homes on half-acre lots, which would be sold to income-qualified buyers through a lottery system.
The homes would be designed with affordability in mind, with prices capped at approximately $507,000 depending on the size and configuration selected by buyers. The development would follow existing zoning standards for the area rather than relying on higher-density affordable housing overlays used in some other East End communities.
In addition to the Tuckahoe project, Southampton Town has also explored preserving existing workforce housing. One proposal includes purchasing an affordability covenant on a multi-family property in Sag Harbor that currently contains six rental apartments. The agreement would ensure that the building remains a multi-unit rental property with rents capped according to county affordability guidelines.
The town has also proposed two additional programs aimed at expanding housing access. A down payment assistance initiative would offer no-interest loans of up to $25,000 for first-time homebuyers, while a separate accessory dwelling program would provide loans of up to $125,000 for homeowners who want to create accessory apartments on their properties. Together, these efforts reflect Southampton Town’s broader strategy to use Community Housing Fund revenue to expand housing options while helping local residents remain in the communities where they live and work.
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