April 14, 2026
Nearly $57 million in state and federal funding is heading to Long Island to build and redevelop affordable housing across four major projects in Nassau and Suffolk counties. The money, announced by Governor Kathy Hochul in February 2026, is part of a larger $240 million statewide investment expected to create or preserve 1,800 affordable homes in 27 developments across New York.
The four Long Island projects span two counties and will deliver a combined 360 new affordable housing units. Each was awarded funding through New York State Homes and Community Renewal's annual Low-Income Housing Tax Credit competitive round, which included $66 million in tax credits and $176 million in subsidy loans statewide.
Here's the breakdown, project by project.
The biggest award on the Island goes to Dogwood Terrace, a full redevelopment of an existing 104-unit public housing complex in the Town of Hempstead. The project will tear down and rebuild the aging units and add a brand-new 3,700-square-foot community facility on site. Georgica Green Ventures and the Town of Hempstead Housing Authority are co-developing the project.
For residents who've been dealing with deteriorating conditions in the current complex, this is a big deal. The redevelopment means modern, energy-efficient apartments with actual community space -- not just housing, but a place where people can gather, access services, and build something together.
Over in Riverhead, $12.2 million will fund the first phase of a new 80-unit affordable and supportive housing project on vacant land currently owned by the First Baptist Church of Riverhead. Georgica Green Ventures is developing this one too, and it's designed as phase one of a larger supportive housing plan for the area.
Riverhead has been working to address its own housing crunch for years, and this project puts new units on land that's been sitting empty. The supportive housing component means some units will include on-site services for residents who need extra help -- think case management, mental health support, and similar resources.
Down in the Bellport area of the Town of Brookhaven, the Alegria South project will bring 96 affordable and supportive housing units, including townhomes and a community facility. D&F Development Group is behind this one.
The townhome-style design is a smart move for this stretch of Suffolk County -- it fits the surrounding neighborhood better than a big apartment complex would. The community facility adds another layer, giving residents a central spot for programs and services without having to drive somewhere else.
In Freeport, $12.3 million will fund Bishop Ronald H. Carter Manor, an 80-unit senior and supportive affordable housing development. D&F Development Group is developing this project too, and it includes a shared parking facility with the adjacent Refuge Church of Christ of Roosevelt.
Senior housing is one of the biggest gaps on Long Island right now. A lot of older residents want to stay in the communities they've lived in for decades, but they can't afford market-rate rents on fixed incomes. This project directly addresses that, giving 80 seniors a place to stay close to home in Freeport.
The $57 million headed to Long Island is a slice of Governor Hochul's $25 billion five-year Housing Plan, which aims to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide. According to the governor's office, more than 77,000 affordable homes have already been created or preserved under the plan to date.
The statewide $240 million investment -- $66 million in federal and state Low-Income Housing Tax Credits plus $176 million in subsidy loans -- is expected to generate roughly $1 billion in total development when combined with private investment. All 27 funded projects are required to meet high sustainability standards, with some receiving additional funding through HCR's Multifamily Solar Program and Clean Energy Initiative.
"The housing crisis won't solve itself," Hochul said in a statement. "If we want New York to remain a place people can afford to call home, we have to act with urgency."
Anyone who's tried to rent or buy on Long Island in the past few years already knows the answer: there isn't enough housing, and what's available costs too much. Nassau and Suffolk counties consistently rank among the most expensive places to live in the country. Young families get priced out. Seniors on fixed incomes get squeezed. Essential workers -- teachers, nurses, first responders -- can't afford to live in the communities they serve.
The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program has been one of the primary tools for building affordable housing nationwide since the 1980s. On Long Island, where local zoning and NIMBYism have historically slowed housing production, state-level funding like this can push projects past the finish line that might otherwise stall for years.
The state hasn't released specific construction timelines for the individual Long Island projects. Tax credit developments typically take 18 to 24 months to build once financing closes and construction begins. Given that these awards were announced in February 2026, expect ground to break on some of these projects by late 2026 or early 2027, with first residents moving in by 2028.
If you live near any of these sites, keep an eye on your local town board agendas. Site plan approvals and public hearings are usually required before shovels hit the ground.
Nearly $57 million across four projects -- $19.2 million for Dogwood Terrace in Hempstead, $12.2 million for Northville Commons in Riverhead, $13.2 million for Alegria South in Brookhaven, and $12.3 million for Bishop Ronald H. Carter Manor in Freeport.
The four projects will create a combined 360 affordable housing units across Nassau and Suffolk counties, including 104 redeveloped units in Hempstead, 80 new units in Riverhead, 96 units including townhomes in Brookhaven, and 80 senior housing units in Freeport.
Eligibility is determined by the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program, which generally targets households earning at or below 60% of the area median income. Bishop Ronald H. Carter Manor in Freeport is specifically designated for seniors. Several projects include supportive housing units with on-site services for residents with additional needs.
The funding comes through New York State Homes and Community Renewal's annual Low-Income Housing Tax Credit competitive round, combining federal and state tax credits with subsidy loans. It's part of Governor Hochul's $25 billion five-year Housing Plan.
