Members
Kenneth Belfer, Chairman
Toni Downes King
Maura Gregory
Claire McNeill
Steve Wolfe
Gwen Wright
Regular Meetings Held:
Second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 PM
YCCC Building, 1974 Commerce Street, Room #223
A nine member board appointed by the Town Board to five year terms.
The Yorktown Town Board established the Community Housing Program in 1988, resulting in the creation of what are referred to as "Affordable Housing Units". These units are contained in developments constructed by private developers. Under an agreement between the developers and the Town, the designated "Affordable Housing Units" are sold at lower prices to enable qualifying households to purchase the units. Since the program relies on private market forces, it is not certain which sized units (studio to five-bedroom units) or if any units will be available during any given year.
Applicants are offered the opportunity to purchase units and are responsible for obtaining their own financing. All our units are produced with near zero government dollars or cost to the taxpayers. Yorktown's Community Housing Trust Fund has received approximately $400,000 to date. The funds have been used to purchase homes for resale to program applicants; "buy down" purchase prices; support preliminary fees and expenses in the acquisition, development and construction of a rental project by a nonprofit organization and supported planning fees and costs associated with a town/county planning study for a 400 acre site.
The Town Board established criteria for households which are eligible to apply for units under the Community Housing Program. To be eligible for the program, the total 1995 household income must not exceed $52,992.00 and the household's Net Assets must not exceed $49,500.00. Using these income criteria, pre-applicants are then ranked by the date and time the pre-application is received and then ranked into a priority point system.
Since the housing made available under this program is priced lower than would otherwise be available, there are certain restrictions. Households who purchase an affordable unit may continue to live in that unit as long as they wish without regard to future changes in their household or income. However, there are certain restrictions on leases and transfers of ownership and resale prices.
Currently, the Community Housing Board sees its role in looking at existing housing in the Town and looking to determine whether or not grant funds for the rehabilitation of the housing are available. The Community Housing Board works with the County Community Development Block Grant Program to identify various funding sources for the elderly or those in need of rehabilitation or repair of existing housing stock. The Board also reviews the Town's balance in its various housing offerings including: the number of rental units in the community, accessory apartments, straight market rentals, senior rentals, and number and location of startup homes.
A goal of the Town of Yorktown is to provide balanced and varied housing opportunities for all its residents so that residents may find appropriate housing throughout their lives within the Town of Yorktown.
Contact Info:
c/o Ken Belfer
363 Underhill Avenue, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598
Phone: (914) 345-2800