Hampton Bays - The Southampton Housing Authority (TSHA) is pleased to announce their partnership with YouthBuild Long Island to renovate an affordable housing unit at 203 Ludlam Avenue in Riverside. This house is one of the Housing Authority properties acquired through Suffolk County's 72-H process.

"We are very excited about this project, not just for what it will add to the community of Riverside, but also for the opportunity to work with YouthBuild Long Island to create jobs and job training," said Town of Southampton Councilwoman Bridget Fleming, the liaison to the Southampton Housing Authority who brought the two organizations together to explore a partnership. YouthBuild Long Island is a free youth and community-development program, and alternative school that simultaneously address core issues facing low-income communities. The program serves income eligible young adults ages 18 to 24. YouthBuild program components include Housing, Education, Job Readiness/Construction Pre-Apprenticeship Training, Career Development, Leadership Development, Counseling and Graduate Services. A strong focus is placed on Green industry job opportunities in Energy Efficiency, Renewables, Weatherization, Energy Star construction, and Home Performance. Local students get hands on training with the latest equipment and technology at their brand new E3 Career Training Center.

"Our mission is to keep the rural character of the hamlets and villages in the Town of Southampton by developing affordable mixed-income housing opportunities. By renovating 203 Ludlam and our other 72-H properties, we intend to become good neighbors, and help other interested local homeowners renew their homes with support from the Southampton Housing Authority. By using sustainable materials and methods, we are also setting an example that "going green" can be affordable," said Bonnie Cannon, Chairperson of TSHA.

Under the 72-H process, Suffolk County takes abandoned property for back taxes and transfers the property over to the different Townships. Southampton Town then transfers allocated property to the Housing Authority for renovation and/or vacant land development. It is the desire of the Housing Authority to work with organizations such as YouthBuild, Long Island Housing Partnership, Southampton Business Alliance, Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk and other not-for- profits as well as local private sector businesses as they continue to develop their other sites located within the Town of Southampton boundaries.
The Southampton Housing Authority also serves the residents in the Town of Southampton by administrating the Housing Choice Voucher Program, Community Development Block Grant and Home Improvement Programs.

Councilwoman Fleming, who is Town Board liaison to the Flanders and Riverside communities, congratulated the Housing Authority and YouthBuild on their joint endeavor. "This is another example of neighbor helping neighbor to solve longstanding challenges in the community."

For more information call 631-488-4220.