Long Island Forward Housing Program - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Long Island Forward Housing Program (LIFHP)?
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. The LIFHP provides no-cost technical assistance to municipalities in Long Island to advance multifamily housing development.
Why should my village, town, or city apply?
The Long Island Forward Housing Program (LIFHP) empowers local jurisdictions to develop housing across a range of income levels. Through LIFHP, municipalities will be matched with expert consultants who can help identify and address barriers to new housing development. Municipalities with underutilized land—such as vacant lots, underused parking areas, or brownfields—are especially encouraged to apply and receive support to transform these sites into shovel-ready opportunities for new multifamily housing.
Who is eligible to receive assistance from this program?
Eligible applicants include municipalities (villages, towns, cities) in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Municipalities must designate a point of contact and commit to program requirements, including affordable housing development, expedited permitting, and fair housing practices. See our Program Guidelines for a full list of program requirements.
Can municipalities partner with other entities?
Yes, municipalities can collaborate with private landowners, developers, regional planning agencies, or related nonprofits. However, the municipality must be the lead applicant.
If a project involves private landowners, municipalities must provide evidence of collaboration including a letter of intent or development agreement with their application to ensure mutual commitment.
What types of projects are eligible?
The LIFHP focuses on multifamily housing projects. More specifically, the LIFHP targets projects that:
- Are located near transit hubs or downtown areas,
- Promote adaptive reuse or redevelopment of underutilized or blighted sites,
- Include a share of affordable housing units, or
- Incorporate sustainability and green building practices.
What technical assistance does LIFHP offer?
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.
- Assessments of Publicly Owned Property Inventories and Site Identification Services
- Market Studies
- Site Appraisals
- Real Estate Development Consulting Services
- Financial Feasibility Analysis for Development Alternative Scenarios
- Economic Impact Analysis for Development Alternative Scenarios
- Support Administering Land Disposition RFP/RFQ Processes
- Architectural and Engineering Services (concept development, renderings, etc.)
- Phase I, Phase II Environmental Site Assessments
- Environmental Impact Statements or State Environmental Quality Review Act Assessments
- Traffic Impact Services
Additional support services, such as public outreach coordination, stakeholder engagement, and translation services, may be provided alongside the core technical assistance package if needed.
What are the LIFHP requirements for applicants?
Participating municipalities are asked to commit to designating a dedicated point person responsible for coordinating with ESD and program partners, passing a brief Resolution regarding LIFHP participation, entering a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ESD to formalize roles and expectations, focusing on supporting the development of multifamily housing, abiding by fair housing principles, including affordable housing in their projects, and “fast-tracking” permit and approval processes for the relevant development projects. See our Program Guidelines for a full list of program requirements.
How do municipalities apply for the LIFHP?
Municipalities interested in participating in the LIFHP must submit a letter of intent to apply, whether they have a specific development site in mind or not. ESD will review the letters of intent and, if upon review ESD agrees that the municipality appears willing and ready to receive technical assistance services to advance multifamily housing development, the applicant will be referred to ESD’s Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) portal to submit a full application.
What is the selection process for interested municipalities?
Applications are reviewed for eligibility and alignment with program priorities. ESD then pairs selected municipalities with technical assistance providers based on project needs. Selection criteria include:
- Alignment with LIFHP goals
- Site size (there is a general preference for larger parcels)
- Proximity to transit stations or downtown areas
- Redevelopment of blighted or underutilized sites
- Commitment to affordable housing, with defined thresholds
- Demonstrated local support or private owner collaboration
- Sustainability and environmental considerations
What if my municipality doesn't have a specific development site yet?
Municipalities without identified sites can still apply for assistance to locate and prepare suitable areas for future development. Program partners will assist municipalities with identifying the most suitable sites for multifamily housing developments as a part of the technical assistance service package provided.
If you have additional questions, please the Empire State Development Regional Office by email [email protected] or by phone at 631-435-0717.