Governor Hochul Announces Completion of $89 Million Affordable Ho...

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the completion of Matinecock Court, a nearly $98 million affordable housing development in the town of Huntington, Suffolk County. The newly-constructed development creates 145 affordable limited-equity cooperative homes, including eight supportive apartments reserved for individuals with disabilities and four apartments reserved for veterans. Under Governor Hochul's leadership, New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) has created or preserved more than 2,500 affordable homes in Suffolk County. Matinecock Court continues this effort and is part of Governor Hochul's $25 billion five-year Housing Plan, which is on track to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide.

"For far too long, New Yorkers have faced a housing market where finding an affordable place to call home can feel out of reach," Governor Hochul said. "Matinecock Court shows what is possible when we build the housing New Yorkers need. These 145 affordable homes will give a wide array of households the opportunity to put down roots, build stability and become part of a thriving community. By making this development a reality, we are opening the doors to a more affordable future for generations right here on Long Island."

Matinecock Court is affordable to households earning up to 80 percent of the Area Median Income. The development consists of 17 two-story residential buildings with a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom homes for residents.

Eight supportive apartments are reserved for eligible people with developmental disabilities, and four homes are reserved for veterans. Support services are provided by AIM Services Inc. There are 15 units to accommodate people with mobility disabilities and six units to accommodate residents with sensory disabilities.

The all-electric development was designed in accordance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star Multifamily New Construction program and HCR sustainability guidelines. Energy-efficiency features include all-electric heating and cooling, electric heat-pump water heaters, enhanced insulation, LED lighting, Energy Star appliances and low-flow plumbing.

Residents have access to a clubhouse and on-site parking, and individual homes featuring outdoor patio areas. Matinecock Court is located near the Long Island Rail Road's Northport Station and close to Suffolk County bus service, schools, shopping, restaurants, and a library.

Developed by D&F Development Group in partnership with Housing Help, Inc., Matinecock Court has been decades in the making. The development, first proposed in 1978, was championed by Housing Help, Inc. and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and stands today as a seminal example of Fair Housing Act litigation, going up to the United States Supreme Court in 1988. The Court affirmed the landmark holding of the Second Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals that the town of Huntington had violated the Fair Housing Act by not permitting a rezoning of the site, which had a racially disproportionate impact. The lawsuit ultimately resulted in settlements that helped pave the way for the project being celebrated today.

Financing for Matinecock Court includes a mix of public and private sources, including Federal and State Low-Income Housing Tax Credits from HCR that are expected to generate more than $36 million in equity and $28 million in subsidy. The New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) provided $1.7 million. Empire State Development (ESD) provided a $1 million Regional Council Capital Fund grant. Suffolk County provided approximately $4.2 million through its Housing Opportunity and SOAR programs. Operating expenses for the supportive units are funded through OPWDD.

New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, "Matinecock Court is a testament to Governor Hochul's determination to break down barriers to housing and make communities across New York more affordable and accessible. After decades of perseverance, 145 households now have an affordable place to call home in East Northport and an opportunity to build lasting stability through this unique cooperative model. We are incredibly proud to have helped bring this long-awaited development across the finish line, and we thank D&F Development Group, Housing Help, Suffolk County, our State partners and everyone whose commitment made this day possible."

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "Under Governor Hochul's leadership, New York is tackling the housing challenges that affect both families and our economy. These 145 affordable homes will help more New Yorkers put down roots here on Long Island, near jobs and opportunity, while giving employers a stronger foundation to attract and retain the workforce they need to grow."

New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Willow Baer said, "People with developmental disabilities are living and working successfully every day in their communities, often with minimal support. These dedicated units, and the inclusive planning of Governor Hochul's housing agenda, will allow more people to realize the dream of living independently in an affordable and safe environment, while keeping New York's communities diverse and thriving."

Senator Charles Schumer said, "I'm proud that the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, which I worked to protect and expand, has generated $36 million to help build 145 new affordable homes in Suffolk County. Matinecock Court also provides supportive housing for veterans and people with disabilities. I commend Governor Hochul for her continued efforts to create and preserve affordable housing across New York, and I will not stop fighting for the federal resources needed to support these critical efforts."

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, "A safe and accessible place to live should be a right, not a privilege, for all New Yorkers. This $98 million development will help revitalize Huntington while combating rising costs throughout Long Island. I am proud to see over $32 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit dollars go to this project, and I will continue fighting for resources to create the affordable, supportive housing that our state needs."

Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal said, "Building more affordable housing, including supportive units, is key to addressing the state's affordability crisis. As we work to preserve our existing housing stock, we must also build more housing units that are financially attainable for New Yorkers who are working two or three jobs to make ends meet. I am proud to push this agenda alongside the Governor, and I will continue fighting for a more equitable agenda as we craft the state's five-year housing plan and legislative agenda for the upcoming session."

New York State Chief Disability Officer Kim Ridley said, "Matinecock Court sets a vital standard for accessible and inclusive housing in New York. By integrating homes specifically designed for individuals with physical, sensory and developmental disabilities, this development ensures that members of our community can live independently with dignity, security and equal access. Governor Hochul's commitment to expanding accessible housing is creating real opportunities for New Yorkers with disabilities to thrive within vibrant, supportive neighborhoods."

Empire State Development Board Chair Kevin Law said, "Long Island has an urgent need for more affordable housing, and targeted State investment can help turn long-planned developments into real opportunities for New Yorkers. ESD's support helped move these new homes across the finish line, expanding access to homeownership and addressing one of the region's most persistent economic challenges."

Long Island Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chairs Linda Armyn and Dr. Kimberly R. Cline said, "Long Island's long-term success depends on communities that combine opportunity with a high quality of life. These homes sit near transit, schools and employers, creating new options for families ready to build a future here. The LIREDC was proud to recommend State funding here, strengthening Long Island's economic foundation for years to come."

D&F Development Group Owner Peter G. Florey said, "In celebrating this significant milestone, on behalf of the development team and the new residents, we thank Governor Hochul, NYS Housing Finance Agency, NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities and Empire State Development Corporation, Suffolk County and the Town of Huntington for their essential roles in this process. While the completion of Matinecock Court represents a great achievement for housing, it also marks the beginning of a beautifully designed and vibrant community."

Housing Help Inc. Executive Director Pilar Moya-Mancera said, "Matinecock Court is the culmination of nearly half a century of persistence and an extraordinary fight for fair housing. We honor the founders and generations of leaders of Housing Help Inc., the Huntington Branch NAACP, local residents, advocates and attorneys who challenged exclusionary zoning and helped establish important Fair Housing Act precedent. Today, that legacy lives in 145 affordable homes for families, veterans, seniors and people with disabilities. The law has become life. We are grateful to Governor Hochul, New York State, D&F Development Group and all who helped bring this community to completion. Matinecock Court reminds us that persistence can do more than build homes-it can shape the law, change public policy and open doors for generations to come."

Governor Hochul's Housing Agenda

Governor Hochul is dedicated to addressing New York's housing crisis and making the State more affordable and livable for all New Yorkers. Since FY23, the Governor has worked to increase housing supply to make housing more affordable by launching a $25 billion five-year comprehensive Housing Plan, enacting the most significant housing deal in decades and implementing new protections for renters and homeowners. Under Governor Hochul's leadership, HCR has created new programs that jumpstart development of affordable and mixed-income homes - for both renters and homebuyers. These include the Pro-Housing Community Program, which allows certified localities exclusive access to up to $750 million in discretionary State funding. More than 450 communities throughout the state have been certified Pro-Housing.

As part of her FY27 Budget, Governor Hochul secured a number of landmark reforms to New York's State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) to speed up housing and infrastructure development and lower costs as part of her "Let Them Build" agenda. "Let Them Build" also includes executive actions to expedite critical categories of projects that have been consistently found to not have significant environmental impacts, but for too long have been caught up in red tape and subject to lengthy delays.

The FY27 Executive Budget completes the Governor's current five-year Housing Plan to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes. More than 87,000 affordable homes have been created or preserved to date. The Executive Budget also invests $250 million in capital funding to accelerate the construction of thousands of new affordable homes.