Local Housing Authority Releases Project Proposal For Amagansett Apartment Complex

The East Hampton Housing Authority recently released their project proposal for the rental apartment complex they are looking to build in Amagansett.

The plan is to build a “pocket neighborhood” of 13 to 17 small cottage-like buildings on 531 Montauk Highway, which would contain a total of about 36 apartments, according to a presentation of the plans.

Tenants would be able to choose between studio, one-, two- or three-bedroom units to be rented out for between about $1,000 and $2,200 per month.

The plans would also include a community building with meeting space and laundry facilities for tenant use, universal Wi-Fi, commercial suites; one to be reserved for a community service activity and three limited business use units, central green, individual flower beds, community vegetable garden, playground, and a private outdoor space for each unit, according to the plans.

There will also be progressive waste water management, grey water recovery, and rain gardens.

“The population of East Hampton Town is increasing, becoming older on average while the percentage of the population aged 34 years or younger is decreasing,” the presentation of the plans reads. “A large proportion of the Town’s housing inventory is in the form of seasonal housing with fewer housing units available for year-round ownership or rental (60% to 40%). Of the Town’s occupied, year-round housing units, 75% are owneroccupied and 25% are renter occupied.”

In addition, a significant percentage of both homeowners and renters in East Hampton are income constrained and greatly burdened by housing costs, more so than in most other areas of the East End and Suffolk County, according to the presentation.

The average home price in East Hampton Town has risen 215 percent since 1999 relative to the increase in median family income (43%) and has become the most expensive - both in absolute terms and in comparison to median income - of any East End Township, according to the presentation.

The new apartment complex is predicted to add a total of about 75 new residents and adding about 37 students to the East Hampton School District.

The Town Board earlier this month agreed they guarantee the Housing Authority with $4 million in loans in order to buy the property.