East End Community Housing Fund has taken in $100.7 million since 2023

The Community Housing Fund — involving four of the five East End towns — has brought in $100.7 million from a 0.5% transfer tax paid by purchasers of real estate in each of the participating municipalities between 2023 and the end of July this year, according to Assemblyman Tommy John Schiavoni (D-Sag harbor).

The four participating towns were Shelter Island, Southold, Southampton and East Hampton. Only Riverhead opted not to participate by rejecting a 2022 referendum that all five towns held in those municipalities. At the time, Riverhead officials said they opted not to participate because they concluded they had done their share of affordable housing.

Shelter Island has amassed almost $2.1 million in Community Housing Fund (CHF) money between 2023 and the end of July this year, Community

 Housing Board (CHB) Chairman Bran Dougherty-Johnson said at the fund’s Sept. 10 meeting.

According to Mr. Schiavoni’s press release, “The towns can use the Community Housing Fund to provide financial assistance to first-time home buyers not to exceed 50% of purchase price, the production of community housing for sale, the production of community housing for rent, rehabilitation of existing buildings for community housing, counseling to would-be renters and buyers and the acquisition of real property in existing housing units, to result in the production of community housing for sale or rent … The fund is doing what it is supposed to do, and this strong revenue stream represents great opportunities for our region.” 

The CHF money can also be used to increase available money when applying for state grants.

“Local leaders have the ability to provide workforce housing development to our year-round East End community, and it is the responsibility of community leaders to come to a consensus on how to provide responsible avenues toward productive development,” Mr. Schiavoni said.

Mr. Schiavoni follows former assemblyman Fred Thiele Jr., who initiated the Community Preservation Fund to preserve open space, out of which the housing fund developed. Mr. Schiavoni called the CHF money “a critical lifeline for our region,” saying the funds should be used to make life more affordable in the area.

“I commend the towns for their work so far in preserving open space and providing housing opportunities, and I encourage greater community collaboration to preserve the make-up of our region,” the assemblyman said.

All five of the East End towns have participated in the original 2% Community Preservation Fund with Shelter Island bringing in $2.3 million from January to the end of July this year.

With a survey created by Nelson, Pope Voorhis — the Melville environmental planning and land use consultancy — the local CHB is hoping to have data to support future needs on the Island for affordable housing. The 10 units of rentals to be constructed on three properties were the result of informal polling conducted by the CHB. Before embarking on future affordable rental and/or sale housing, members thought it better to have results from experienced specialists.

The committee is planning a public meeting at the Community Center on Oct. 17 between 1 and 4 p.m., although that date is not set in stone yet. It is designed to have Nelson Pope Voorhis staff on hand to talk about findings to date while also providing progress on the initial 10 units.

As for the New York State ADU+1 program that provides up to $125,000 to property owners who wish to provide rental units on their sites, five are complete, thee more are in the construction phase and a number of others are in the application process. But at that third stage, sometimes people drop out for various reasons, meaning there are still opportunities for new applicants to explore whether they might benefit by adding an accessory dwelling unit on their sites, Mr. Dougherty-Johnson said.