ICYMI: Town of Southampton Adopts Resolution to Become a Pro Housing Community • Southampton, NY
The Town of Southampton Town Board has adopted a resolution at its April 28th meeting to become a Pro Housing Community. The adoption of the resolution reinforces the Town’s commitment to addressing its housing challenges and strengthening its long-term housing strategy.
The Pro Housing designation is part of a broader statewide effort to encourage local governments to take meaningful action to support housing growth. Municipalities that achieve designation may be eligible to receive certain state funding programs, creating new opportunities to invest in infrastructure, planning, and community development initiatives.
“This is a great step forward for the Town of Southampton,” said Councilman Michael Iasilli, liaison to the Housing Department. “Not only are we joining a long list of other municipalities, including Brookhaven and East Hampton in becoming a Pro Housing Community, but we now open the Town up to millions of dollars of funding for our future housing efforts as well as aid in the development of transit-oriented improvements that will help working people achieve the American Dream.”
“By adopting this resolution, the Town Board is recognizing that housing affordability is critical to maintaining a sustainable and vibrant community for residents of all ages and income levels,” said Kara Bak, the Director of the Housing Department.
The Town of Southampton has already taken significant steps to expand housing opportunities, utilizing Community Housing Fund (CHF) resources to support first-time homebuyers with down payment funds of up to 3% of the purchase price of a home and to assist current homeowners with 0% interest loans to create Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) on their property. To date, the Town is actively working on creating 171 new affordable housing units.
Town officials emphasized that participation in the program does not override local zoning authority but rather supports the Town’s ability to guide growth in a manner consistent with its planning goals. “This designation enhances the Town’s ability to access resources that support infrastructure and housing initiatives while ensuring that growth is managed in a way that reflects community priorities, “said Town Supervisor Maria Moore.
“With the adoption of Res. 2026-0697, the Town Board has demonstrated its commitment to expanding housing opportunities while planning strategically for the next generation,” said Town Councilman Tom Neely. Following the adoption of the resolution, the Town will continue working with NY State HCR to complete the designation process. The designation will position Southampton to compete more effectively for state funding that can support housing-related infrastructure, planning, and development projects.
For additional details, you may contact the Director of Housing, Kara L. Bak, at 631-702-1731 or kbak@southamptontownny.gov.
