East Hampton to build affordable rentals in Wainscott

The East Hampton Housing Authority plans to build 50 affordable rental apartments in Wainscott for working professionals — the latest push to expand affordable housing on the East End.

Earlier this month the town transferred two vacant wooded properties — spanning 6.5 acres — to its housing authority. The authority will partner with a developer to build and manage the new complex, which will be south of Route 114.

The development is the town's second for moderate-income residents who earn up to 130% of the area's median income. The 26-unit Springs Fireplace Apartments, built in 2008, was the first, officials said.

"We could have 10 more of those and have 100% occupancy," said Catherine Casey, the housing authority’s executive director.

Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez said the town needs to expand rental opportunities to support "working families who are the backbone of East Hampton," as well as seniors and young people.

East Hampton paid a total of $1.8 million for the parcels in 2019 and 2020.

In 2022, the town launched an "All Hands on Housing" initiative to address what officials referred to as an acute housing crisis. Peter Van Scoyoc, the town supervisor at the time, called the housing issue one of the "most serious and immediate threats to the well-being and sustainability of our community."

The housing authority recently built a 50-unit affordable housing complex on Three Mile Harbor Road — The Green at Gardiner’s Point. It's set to open in several weeks. The income limit is 60% of the area's median income, less than what is planned for Wainscott.

Rents are $1,500 for a one bedroom, $1,784 for two bedrooms and $2,045 for three bedrooms.

There was intense demand for spots at The Green at Gardiner's Point when a housing lottery was held earlier this month. A total of 543 prospective renters applied for 41 units, officials said. 

Last week, state officials recognized East Hampton as the first certified pro-housing community in Suffolk County. The certification allows the town access to a portion of up to $650 million in economic development funds.

Nearly 38% of renters in East Hampton Town pay more than $3,000 per month, more than twice the 16% figure in Suffolk County, according to U.S. census data. The median sale price in the Hamptons reached a new high of just under $1.9 million for the second quarter of 2024, 30.8% higher than the same figure a year ago, Newsday has reported.

To boost the supply of affordable housing, East Hampton voters in 2022 approved a 0.5% tax on most real estate transactions to fund affordable housing initiatives.

Casey said the next step at the Wainscott site is to examine the layout and determine where buildings can be constructed. The site work and architectural design could take 12 to 18 months, she said. 

Bryony Freij, a commissioner on the housing authority board, said the transfer makes it easier to "make the kind of housing that we feel is so important in our community."

High rents take a toll on East End families, said Freij, who works as a psychotherapist and social worker.

"It’s heartbreaking to see," she said. "And these are people we rely on to keep everything running smoothly out here."

By Joe Werkmeister

joe.werkmeister@newsday.com

Joe Werkmeister covers the towns of Southampton, East Hampton and Shelter Island. He is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University and previously worked as the editor of two North Fork community newspapers.

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