First-of-its-kind LGBT affordable housing project breaks ground in Bay Shore

With many in the real estate community coming together to celebrate Pride Month in June, excavators draped in rainbow flags recently broke ground on a $30 million affordable housing development in Bay Shore, Newsday reported. The project will have 75 units for lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) seniors, the first of its kind in the nation, according to the outlet. While the development will be dedicated to the LGBT community, it will also be open to anyone who meets certain age and income requirements. It will also abide by federal fair housing guidelines as well, said David Kilmnick, president and CEO of the LGBT Network, which operates community centers in Queens, Hauppauge and Sag Harbor. Ahead of the build, construction crews tore down the onetime headquarters of the LGBT Network, which last month moved into a new 15,000-square-foot advocacy center in Hauppauge.

The Levittown-based D&F Development Group will build the housing complex, which is being funded by state and federal tax credits, state loans, $1.5 million from Suffolk County and some private investment. One-bedroom units are expected to rent for around $1,000 a month with two-bedrooms going for about $1,700 or more. The units will be available for those older than 55 who earn 50 to 80 percent of the area median income, which for a single-person household on Long Island is between $43,400 to $69,450. Kilmnick said the housing facility is necessary because many members of the LGBT community face discrimination as they age. “It’s such a good feeling to have a facility here like this on Long Island,” Kilmnick said. [Newsday]