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The Town of Islip Planning Board has voted to approve an application to build Long Island’s first LGBT affordable housing complex in downtown Bay Shore.
The Bay Shore-based LGBT Network is partnering with the D & F Development Group of Levittown on the project, which is planned for Park Avenue and Mechanicsville Road.
The complex with consist of 75 units that are affordable for citizens that identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, or who are LGBT friendly.
“Older LGBT residents still feel prejudice living on their own and some older LGBT adults feel the need to return to the closet in their golden years in order to ensure that they will receive quality care and can be their true selves,” said Dr. David Kilmnick, President and CEO of the LGBT Network.
The LGBT Network is also currently building a community center in Patchogue, which, once complete, will be among the largest in the Northeast.
The LGBT friendly, senior affordable housing complex in Bay Shore will be open to all those who are at least 55 years of age or older and make between 60 to 80 percent of the area median income.
According to Newsday, that currently amounts to $35,000 to $85,000 a year and the only criteria prospective tenants need to prove are age and income.
Federal housing laws prevent discrimination based on sex, as well as noncomformity with gender stereotypes. Therefore, all may apply for spots.
The project is designed to address a shortage of affordable senior housing options on the island and will be anchored by a brand new state-of-the-art 8,000 square foot LGBT community center in order to provide services to its residents and to seniors throughout the region, according to the LGBT Network.
It will be marketed to those in the LGBT community.
“We are thrilled to take part in this groundbreaking project and we are looking forward to getting shovels in the ground, said Peter Florey, principal of D & F. “We have taken elements from the best architectural features in Bay Shore and its surrounding areas and have incorporated it into this project.”
The town Planning Board voted to approve the application at its Aug. 17 meeting. The Islip Town Board is expected to vote on the development this fall.
Should the board approve the project as scheduled, and the necessary permits are secured, construction is expected to begin around June 2018 with an anticipated completion date of around May 2020, according to an LGBT Network spokesperson.
