3 New Homes For Homeless Veterans To Be Built In Central Islip

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY - Three new homes for homeless veterans and their families will be built in Central Islip, the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) announced recently.

The $1.5 million project, called Housing Our Heroes, will include three single-family homes which will have a total of 15 beds, on Sycamore Avenue.

More than $1.3 million was awarded to the project through OTDA’s Homeless Housing and Assistance Program (HHAP). The rest came from private funding from the project’s sponsor, Concern for Independent Living, which was one of three non-profit chosen by the county to build new veterans housing.

Concern for Independent Living is the first out of the three organizations to begin construction.

"Housing our heroes is more than a slogan - it is a call to action to help our veterans in need," Suffolk County Legislator Monica Martinez said. "Central Islip is proud to serve as the launching pad to build these new homes that will serve as a model across the county.”

The land was donated in 2015 by Suffolk County under the Housing Our Homeless Heros Act.

“Boasting the largest veterans’ population in New York State, Suffolk County is proud to be at the forefront of ending veteran homelessness in our region,” Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone said. “Our unwavering commitment to serving our nation’s heroes is the reason why so many veterans have chosen to make Suffolk County their home.”

Each home will have three bedrooms, one bath, a kitchen, living areas, a laundry room, indoor and outdoor storage and plenty of outdoor space.

All the homes will be energy-efficient and handicapped-accessible. Residents will have access to supportive services such as case management, service planning, rehabilitative counseling, crisis intervention with 24-hour emergency service and life skills training.

“Our veterans took an oath to serve us in our times of need and now it is our responsibility to serve them," New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs Executive Deputy Director Joel Evans said. "This housing provides veterans with the ability to call someplace home and establish roots in the communities they swore to protect. It is an important step New York has taken to ensure our veterans are cared for.”

Photos: Facebook.com/Suffolk County Executive Steven Bellone