Centereach, NY – March 20, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — On March 19th at the Coram Firehouse, Community Development Corporation of Long Island (CDCLI) and Conifer Realty conducted a lottery to select tenants and establish a waiting list for the new affordable rental homes being constructed at Wincoram Commons. The lottery was attended by elected officials, government representatives, and community members, including Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine.
Marianne Garvin, President and CEO of CDCLI, welcomed the attendees, described the wonderful redevelopment that is underway, and explained that the lottery was planned to “ensure maximum transparency in the selection of tenants for the new homes.” Ms. Garvin added that “there are nearly four times as many pre-screened applicants as there will be units available. This demonstrates the tremendous need for affordable rental housing on Long Island. The lottery is a time for us to remember that the people who will live at Wincoram are the most important element of this redevelopment.”
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone stated that “Wincoram Commons is the perfect example of what we should be doing in this region.” Brookhaven Supervisor Ed Romaine concurred, and said “When you have 176 units available and over 1,000 people apply, there’s a message in that.” Both pledged to continue to support affordable rental housing initiatives.
Wincoram Commons will be fully completed later this year, and will consist of 176 energy-efficient one, two, and three bedroom affordable rental homes in a new smart growth community, as well as 13,300 square feet of retail space. Located in the Town of Brookhaven in Suffolk County, NY, the community is conveniently located near restaurants, shops, and banks, is along two major arteries with bus lines for public transportation, and is a short commute from several major employers. Wincoram Commons will give additional options to many of these employees as well as others seeking state of the art affordable housing opportunities.
Alan Handelman, Vice President of Conifer Realty, explained that 1,069 applications had been submitted prior to the lottery. They were prescreened according to the Tenant Selection Plan, and just over 700 were eligible to be included in today’s drawing. The first tenants are expected to take occupancy of their new homes this summer. Elizabeth Piazza, a prospective tenant who was present when her name was called, expressed her need for good housing, and said she felt lucky to have been selected.
