News Flash

Farmingville, NY - On February 16, Supervisor Ed Romaine and Long Island Housing Partnership (LIHP) President and CEO, Peter J. Elkowitz, announced the Town’s participation in COVID-19 Rental and Mortgage Arrears Program. The program was established to assist low-to-moderate income residents with mortgage or rental arrears incurred on or after April 1, 2020, due to a COVID-19 related loss of income. A maximum of 6 consecutive months of arrears may be paid, subject to the cap. Funds are limited and will be available on a first-come first-served basis until they are exhausted. The funding is made available through the Department of Housing and Urban Development CDBG-CV Program under the CARES ACT with $2,008,854 available to assist Brookhaven residents. To apply, residents must submit an Intake Form to LIHP online or by mail. Applications will be available from March 1 through March 31. The program, which is administered by the LIHP, is available to Brookhaven Town residents only.

Supervisor Ed Romaine said, “Many Brookhaven Town residents have experienced a loss of income due to the pandemic and are facing an uncertain future for themselves and their family. They may feel like there is nothing they can do about it, but where there is help there is hope. Now, there is a safety net for those who qualify, and I thank Peter Elkowitz and the Long Island Housing Partnership for administering this program to help Brookhaven residents get through these difficult times.”

Peter J. Elkowitz, President of the Long Island Housing Partnership, stated: “People on Long Island have been hit hard by COVID-19. Besides dealing with the disease itself and managing health issues, quarantines and social disruptions, people are struggling to make ends meet and keep a roof over their heads. As the crisis continues, many are simply out of options. By providing rental and mortgage arrears assistance, this program addresses a vital component by lifting some of the financial burdens faced by so many residents in the Town of Brookhaven. The Long Island Housing Partnership is honored to have been selected by the Town of Brookhaven to administer this program and we applaud Supervisor Romaine and the Town Board for taking action to make these funds available for their residents.”

Program requirements apply including but not limited to the following:

• Applicant/unit must reside in the Town of Brookhaven and be the primary residence
• Household income must be under 80% of HUD AMI, at the time assistance is received and prior to the event giving rise to the loss of income.  
• Applicants must have suffered a loss of income due to COVID-19 that caused them to be in arrears
• Applicants must have been current on their lease or mortgage prior to the loss of income
• Only arrears accruing on or after April 1, 2020 may be paid
• Applicants must be a US citizen or Qualified Resident Alien
•  Landlord or lender must agree to participate in the Program
• Payments are made directly to the landlord or lender
• For rentals, the unit must have a valid municipally issued rental permit/operational authority
• For homeowners, there must be a current Forbearance Agreement in effect 
• Lead based paint and environmental reviews may be required
• ALL documentation must be submitted to be considered for the program
• No duplication of benefits is permitted
• Applicants cannot be employed by or related to the landlord, property manager, lender, mortgage servicing company, or, in some cases, the Town of Brookhaven

Maximum Assistance Amounts:

Maximum Gross Income Amounts (80% AMI):

Division of Public Information * Office of the Supervisor
One Independence Hill • Farmingville • NY 11738