Nassau getting $18.2M in housing aid

Nassau County is slated to get $18.2 million in federal funding to beef up the stock of affordable housing and provide services for the newly homeless.

The aid is part of the annual funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The funding includes $14.1 million granted under formulas that takes into account local poverty rates, population and age of housing stock; these funds can be used for a range of projects, from affordable housing to public improvements.

According to the county’s action plan, more than 20 municipalities will get the money, much of it for village and community downtown revitalization. Some will be spent on nonprofits’ programs for seniors, youths and low-income residents, plans show.

“It will basically go to beautification projects, streetscapes, park improvements – that’s the focus,” said John Sarcone, the county’s director of housing and community development.

Another $3.5 million will go toward creating affordable housing for low-income families, while about $685,000, will provide shelter and basic services for those who lost their homes.

Nassau’s HUD funding has gone down in recent years as the federal deficit grows. Last year, HUD said, Nassau got $21.5 million for the same programs and two years ago, it was $20 million. 

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