Governor Hochul Announces Opening of New $28 Million Supportive and Affordable Housing Development In Suffolk County

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the completion of a new $28 million affordable and supportive housing development in Port Jefferson Station in the town of Brookhaven. Liberty Station offers 77 affordable homes with 45 apartments reserved for people in need of support services, including formerly homeless veterans.

"With its affordable homes, health services and gorgeous grounds, Liberty Station is now a permanent piece of the Port Jefferson Station community - and the residents of Brookhaven will benefit as a result," Governor Hochul said. "Making it possible for people to access stable, supportive homes that they can afford is one of the principal missions of my administration, and it is one that we will continue to fulfill."

Liberty Station consists of six two-story residential buildings with 75 one-bedroom apartments and two two-bedroom apartments. Rents are set to be affordable to individuals and households with incomes up to 50 percent of the Area Median Income.

The supportive apartments will assist veterans and those who were previously homeless. Liberty Station is receiving services from and funded by the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI) through the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH). The developer and supportive service provider is Concern Housing, Inc.

The development includes a community center with a computer room, exercise room and staff offices. There are two gardens on the property and a walking path with six fitness stations. The development is close to a full range of retail services and is connected by a public bus route to the Long Island Rail Road's Port Jefferson train station.

Liberty Station meets Enterprise's Green Community standards and was built in accordance with New York State's policy of supporting sustainable and affordable development. In addition to equipping each apartment with Energy Star-rated appliances, the development is designed to conserve water and the landscaping includes surface storm water management features.

State funding for Liberty Station includes more than $18 million in equity from Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and more than $6.3 million in subsidy from New York State Homes and Community Renewal. The Community Preservation Corporation is providing a $1.45 million permanent loan funded through their partnership with the New York City Employees' Retirement Systems, Suffolk County provided $900,000 and the Home Depot Foundation donated $300,000. OMH has provided $382,000 in start-up funding through a program development grant, and $1.1 million in annual support service funding through ESSHI.

HCR Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, "We must work together to fight homelessness and housing insecurity, as well as address the needs of veterans whose service to our country must not be forgotten. Liberty Station is one piece of the solution, and I am grateful to Concern Housing for getting this $28 million development built despite the challenges of the COVID pandemic, which has laid bare how important a safe, affordable home is to the health of individuals and our communities. HCR is committed to expanding access to quality affordable housing opportunities on Long Island and across the state."

Liberty Station is part of the state's $20 billion, five-year effort to provide New Yorkers with access to safe, affordable housing. The plan, now in its final year, makes housing accessible and combats homelessness by building and preserving more than 100,000 units of affordable housing and 6,000 units of supportive housing.

Over the last decade on Long Island, HCR has invested $366 million to finance nearly 2,900 affordable apartments in multifamily developments, an investment that leveraged more than $272 million in funding from other sources.

OMH Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said, "New York's Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative has been a great success that is helping thousands of individuals and families live independently in safe and stable housing. The 45 ESSHI-supported units in Brookhaven's Liberty Station Apartments are another example of Governor Hochul's commitment to fight homelessness and help vulnerable New Yorkers get the services they need to live successfully and productively in their own community."

Ralph Fasano, Executive Director of Concern Housing Inc. said, "Liberty Station is the result of tremendous collaboration between state, local and private funders, along with a talented, committed development team. Together with New York State agencies, Suffolk County, NEF, Capital One, The Community Preservation Corporation, and The Home Depot Foundation we have created housing that matches the pride that we have for Long Island's Veterans. We also wish to thank Citi for supporting this project through LISC-NEF's Bring Them HOMES initiative, NYS Department of Transportation, the Town of Brookhaven, and the Port Jefferson Station community."

Debbie Burkart, National Vice President of Supportive Housing for National Equity Fund said, "National Equity Fund is proud to partner once again with Concern Housing to help fund Port Jefferson and continue to add affordable housing units on Long Island for veterans. LISC-NEF's Bring Them HOMES initiative provided early predevelopment grant funds to facilitate this project in its early stages. Our collaboration on Port Jefferson is another step forward in our mission to create and deliver innovative, collaborative financial solutions to expand the creation and preservation of affordable and supportive housing. We are so happy to continue the journey with such terrific partners."

Thomas McGrath SVP, Director of Upstate Revitalization CPC said, "Affordable and supportive housing can bring stability to some of New York's most vulnerable residents and strengthen the long-term health and vitality of communities. I'm proud that CPC could be part of the collaborative effort to bring Liberty Station to the Port Jefferson Station community. Our thanks to Concern Housing for their commitment to providing affordable housing and supportive services to those most in need, to HCR, Suffolk County, and to Comptroller Stringer and our funding partners at NYCRS."

Senator Anthony Palumbo said, "Providing affordable housing for veterans in need is an important component of ensuring that we provide help and assistance to those who served our nation and fought for our freedoms. Liberty Station provides support for area veterans and local residents."

Assemblyman Steve Englebright said, "The Liberty Station development is a welcomed and much needed housing complex for veterans and others who need safe and affordable housing in the area. I know the reputation of Concern Housing, Inc., for building and managing well run housing developments for people with limited financial resources and Liberty Station will be another success providing essential housing for veterans and people of limited means."

Suffolk County Executive Bellone said, "An essential part of moving our region forward and remaining competitive is making investments in affordable and diverse housing options. Liberty Station will provide permanent, supportive housing for adults with disabilities, working-class individuals and families, and veterans. Our goal is to ensure that all of our residents have a safe place to call home."

New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer said, "As families get back on their feet after the economic devastation of COVID-19, supportive and deeply affordable housing must be a critical part of our recovery. That is why the New York City Retirement Systems are proud to invest in Liberty Station, which will provide lower-income New Yorkers and those on the edge of homelessness with housing, so they can climb the economic ladder to security and stability. This is a sound and important investment that will deliver for our pensioners and build the housing we need."