The Long Island Forward Housing Program (LIFHP) is designed to help municipalities across Nassau and Suffolk Counties address barriers to housing development, enhance affordability, and strengthen local capacity to create high-quality homes. The program focuses on adding new multifamily housing on vacant lots and blighted properties in strategic locations, such as downtown centers and areas near Long Island Railroad stations, to create vibrant, walkable communities.

LIFHP is a technical assistance program, not a direct grant program. Empire State Development (ESD) will directly fund select predevelopment activities from a designated list of services to help municipalities advance multifamily housing development on priority sites. Through tailored technical assistance, LIFHP provides communities with expert support based on their specific needs and local conditions, increasing capacity at the local level.

Municipalities can access technical assistance for one or more services offered through LIFHP. Based on the needs outlined in their applications, Empire State Development (ESD) will determine the appropriate level of support, ensuring each eligible municipality receives tailored expertise to advance their housing goals.

1. Appraisal Services

2. Architectural and Engineering Consultation Services 

3. Economic Impact Analysis for Development Scenarios

4. Environmental Impact Statements and State Environmental Quality Reviews

5. Evaluation of Publicly Owned Properties and Development Possibilities 

6. Financial Feasibility Analysis for Development Scenarios

7. Market Studies 

8. Phase I, Phase II Environmental Site Assessments

9. Real Estate Development Consulting Advisory Services 

10. Traffic Impact Studies     

11. Support During Land Disposition RFQ and RFP Processes

Additional support services, such as public outreach coordination, stakeholder engagement, and translation services, may be provided alongside the core technical assistance package if needed.

Eligible Applicants

Cities, Towns and Villages with local zoning authority located in Nassau and Suffolk counties. 

Municipalities may partner with non-municipal entities, including regional planning agencies, private housing developers, and large landowners or landowning institutions on proposals. However, the municipality must be the lead applicant.  

A municipality may apply for technical assistance for a specific site(s). If the applicant does not identify a specific site, they may apply for assistance in identifying site(s). 

Program Eligibility

• Commitment to affordable housing
• Commitment to expedite permits and approvals for designated project
• Execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ESD
• Provide a designated point of contact
• Commitment to Fair Housing laws

Further information on program eligibility and eligible projects is found in the Program Guidelines. 

Applications will be accepted through the CFA Portal.

Any interested applicant must submit a letter of intent prior to the submission of a Consolidated Funding Application (CFA).  

Municipalities will have the opportunity to apply for TA services on a rolling basis until Program funds have been expended.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to reach out to the ESD Long Island Regional Office to discuss their application prior to submission.

Further information on applying is found in the Program Guidelines.

• Program Guidelines
• Program Brochure
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Sample Letter of Intent