Affordable housing

This is a good time to reflect on the looming crisis we face as a community where affordable housing and jobs that pay a living wage are increasingly scarce.

The owner of the subsidized apartment complex sought a new 30-year agreement setting its property taxes at $72,000 per year, about 45% of what current taxes would be.

Opinion: Riverhead does have an affordable housing problem, especially where home-ownership opportunities are concerned. We urge the Town Board to reconsider its decision not to pursue establishing a Community Housing Fund in Riverhead.

There will be no ballot referendum this year in Riverhead to add a half-percent real estate transfer tax to  build revenue for town-sponsored affordable housing opportunities, as the Town Board has determined that the town has enough affordable housing and the state law allowing East End towns to create a “community housing fund” is not meant for Riverhead.

The Riverhead Town Board is considering the adoption of a local law to integrate the Long Island Workforce Housing Act into the town’s zoning code, which would aid in the construction of affordable housing throughout the town.

To establish a community housing fund with a supplemental transfer tax, the town would have to pass a local law that is subject to a mandatory referendum.

The Town of Southampton is creating a town-wide housing plan as part of an update to the town’s Comprehensive Plan, and is looking for the community's help to develop the best plan to suit the town's needs.

Legislation that would have authorized the five East End towns to establish affordable housing funds financed by a new real estate transfer tax of .5% was vetoed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo Friday.

Here are 15 bills of interest passed by both chambers during the frenzied closing days of the state legislative session in Albany.

The Town of Southampton will hold a lottery for 65 new affordable housing units.