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Politics & Government

Southampton Village Affordable Housing Application Deadline Is July 31

Three houses will be sold for $400,000 each to qualified first-time home-buyers.

An affordable housing project in Southampton Village years in the making is coming to fruition, as applications to purchase the soon-to-be-built homes are now being accepted.

Mayor Mark Epley described the three planned house as bungalow-style, in keeping with the neighborhood. They will be sold for $400,000 each, though grants may be available to qualified purchasers to lower the cost by as much as $150,000.

Epley said the houses will likely have a market value of more than $1 million, but they cannot be sold for a hefty profit — there are covenants in place that will keep the homes affordable for perpetuity, no matter how many times ownership changes hands.

The housing will be built on Bailey Road, with one home available for an individual or family earning between 60 and 80 percent of the area median income according to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, one for between 80 and 100 percent and one for between 100 and 120 percent.

The median income in Suffolk and Nassau for a family of four is $105,900.

The land was seized by Suffolk County in 2001 due to delinquent taxes, then turned over to the village to provide affordable housing under the county's 72H program, which is named after a section of New York State municipal law. The village subdivided the 1.7 acres three ways to provide for three single-family homes.

In June 2011, the village approved the transfer of control of the properties to the Southampton Town Housing Authority, a nonprofit organized which will administer the selection of the first-time home-buyers.

The housing authority's executive director, Richard Blowes, told the Village Board at the time that putting the parcels under nonprofit control makes them eligible for grants and adds a level of protection for the village.

Applications are due to the housing authority by 5 p.m. on July 31, or must be postmarked by that date. Late applications may be considered on a first-come, first-served basis after applicants who met the deadline have been considered.

Deference will be giving to fire and ambulance volunteers and veterans, and to applicants who currently live or work in Southampton Village.

A $100 nonrefundable application fee is required.

Applications are available at Village Hall and at southamptonhousingauthority.com.

Ground is expected to be broken Oct. 1, 2013, with completion in the spring or summer of 2014.

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