New Virtual Date Set For Botched Affordable Housing Lottery

GREENPORT, NY — After a botched affordable housing lottery in Greenport, and then, a cancellation of the scheduled redo, a new date has been set for the virtual event.

The lottery was for the Vineyard View housing community, with 50 affordable rental units located at 6200 North Road in Greenport; the project is a joint effort between both Conifer Realty LLC and the Community Development Corporation of Long Island. Those organizing the effort came forward recently to apologize to applicants and the Southold town board for the confusion.

An "accidental administrative error" left a number of applicants out of the first drawing— and those who were chosen were left wondering if they'd see their chance of finding a home within their means lost forever as the initial results were rendered void. After the initial mix-up, a redo scheduled was also postponed.

The new date, according to Conifer, will take place on September 8 at 11 a.m.; it can be viewed live on Conifer Realty's Facebook page.

"Thank you for your patience and understanding in recent weeks as we’ve made adjustments to our lottery process for Vineyard View Apartments based on community feedback," Conifer said in a message on its website. "At Conifer, we fully recognize and respect the challenges involved with securing high-quality, affordable housing, and are deeply sorry for any added stress or frustrations experienced as a result of these changes."

The application submission period has been reopened through Sunday, August 30. All prior lottery applicants who previously submitted their applications directly to Vineyard View will be automatically eligible and included in the rescheduled lottery, with no additional action required, Conifer said.

The lottery establishes the required sequence in which applicants will be processed for program eligibility, potential occupancy and affordable housing income for Vineyard View. All submitted applications will be drawn in the lottery to establish the sequence for occupancy processing and waitlist.

"In the event we initially fill Vineyard View to full occupancy before reaching an individual’s application, the applicant automatically retains his or her position on our waitlist for future apartment availability," Conifer said.

For some, who were chosen in the first go round, the snafu has meant uncertainty.

"I'm hopeful about the new lottery," said Kara DiBella, whose name was chosen in the first drawing. The stakes, for her and her two small children, are high: Right now, they live in a single room in Wheatley Heights with no kitchen.

"I don't agree with opening up the whole process again, taking new applications — making our chances less. It doesn't seem fair, but nothing about this whole ordeal has been fair," DiBella said.

DiBella said she is thankful for the support of her friends. "This process has made me realize what really is important — and it's my kids' happiness. Yes, I want them to have a real place to call home. A space for themselves. A kitchen for home -cooked meals, a tub to wash them in— but what's really important is they are happy. A house is just a house without love. Love turns it into a home." She added: "I will have faith on September 8 that my name gets called again. And that God takes care of me and my family like He has always done. If it's meant to be, it will be."

The news of the "accidental administrative error" left many applicants deeply upset, some who had been left out of the initial drawing.

Michelle Salmon, an EMT and firefighter with the Southold Fire Department, was one of those not included in the first drawing."I was really mad," she said. "I am a single mother with a son needing my own place. I am happy they are redoing it and fixing their mistake."

She added that her application had definitely been received. "They had my application," she said. "I sent it certified return receipt so they had to sign for it. My name wasn't even put into the container — and I know of at least 12 people who are in the same boat," she said.

Amenities at Vineyard View include a clubhouse featuring a great room, a fitness center, laundry room and playground.

One bedroom units are priced from $1,056 to $1,289 per month; two-bedroom units, from $1,266 to $1,544 per month; and three bedroom units, from $1,461 to $1,784 per month.