Long Island: $10M NYS Program to Boost Local Government Housing Plans

"Empire State Development, the state's primary business-aid agency, voted Thursday to create a new $10 million program that will help Long Island communities identify and vet potential sites for new multifamily housing, such as townhomes or apartments," reported Newsday.

"Under the Long Island Forward Housing Program, municipalities can apply to cover the costs of professional services, such as land appraisals and traffic studies, that are needed to make a site suitable for development. The program aims to spur more multifamily housing in strategic locations, such as near Long Island Rail Road stations and in downtown areas."

"The program was created as a result of an application from the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council, an economic advisory board made up of Long Island business, union, education, and nonprofit leaders. The council had identified the inadequate supply of housing on Long Island as the region's most pressing need. Builders often cite the years-long municipal approval process for projects as a top barrier to new construction."