PROGRAM
GUIDELINES
THE VISTAS OF PORT JEFFERSON AFFORDABLE
SENIOR RENTAL HOUSING PROGRAM
FIRST-COME FIRST-SERVED
PLEASE READ
CAREFULLY
Effective December 1, 2023 to November 30, 2024
The Long Island Housing
Partnership (LIHP), in cooperation with GS AA Vistas Owner, LLC (the “Owner”)
and the Town of Brookhaven, is pleased
to announce that it is accepting First-Come First-Served Applications for one
affordable rental unit (the “Affordable Unit”) in Port Jefferson, New
York. The Affordable Unit is part of a
larger rental complex containing 244 units known as “The Vistas of Port
Jefferson”.
LIHP’s limited role is to administering the program
qualification process for the Affordable Units on behalf of the Owner. Set forth herein are the Program Guidelines with
respect to eligibility for the units. LIHP strictly complies with these Program Guidelines and applicants are urged to read them
thoroughly. Documentation will be
reviewed for compliance and completeness.
LIHP
staff is available to assist with the process, address questions or provide any
assistance regarding eligibility.
If you have any
questions regarding any of the Program Guidelines, or need any assistance
including language assistance such as translation and/or oral interpretation
services, please email LIHP at rentals2@lihp.org before applying. Employees
of LIHP and their immediate family members are precluded from participating in
the program.
Si tiene
alguna pregunta con respecto a cualquiera de las Pautas del Programa, o
necesita asistencia lingüística o de otro tipo, incluidos servicios de
traducción y/o interpretación oral, por favor envíe un correo electrónico a
LIHP a rentals2@lihp.org
antes de presentar la solicitud.
LIHP IS NEITHER THE OWNER, MANAGER OR
LEASING AGENT. LIHP’S LIMITED ROLE WILL
BE TO INCOME QUALIFY POTENTIAL APPLICANTS. ANY REQUEST FOR A REASONABLE
ACCOMMODATION REGARDING ANY UNIT MUST BE CONVEYED TO AND PROCESSED BY THE
OWNER/MANAGER.
SUBMISSION OF REQUIRED
DOCUMENTATION OR DETERMINATION OF INCOME ELIGIBILITY DOES NOT GUARANTEE
ELIGIBILITY FOR A UNIT.
THE VISTAS OF PORT JEFFERSON RENTAL PROGRAM
The complex contains 244 units overall with 36 units being the Affordable
Units. It is a luxury rental community with
amenities including an on-site dog park, state of the art clubhouse, and
outdoor recreation-complete with a heated swimming pool, grand patio with a
bar, lounge area and fire pits and walking/biking trails.
The complex is a smoke-free environment.
MAXIMUM & MINIMUM INCOME
GUIDELINES
The Affordable Units will be available
to households with incomes at or below 80% and 120% of the HUD Area Median
Income for Nassau/Suffolk Counties (AMI), adjusted for household size. The estimated 2024 income limits are as
follows:
2
BEDROOM
HOUSEHOLD SIZE *MAXIMUM
ANNUAL INCOME **MINIMUM
ANNUAL INCOME
2 $149,950 $55,008
3 $168,700 $55,008
4 $187,450 $55,008
5 $202,450 $55,008
*Includes
all income – overtime, bonuses, pensions, social security, 401K distributions,
tips, etc. Your gross income cannot
exceed the maximum annual income for your household size. The limits above are based
on the estimated 2024 HUD “uncapped” income limits. Income limits are subject to confirmation and
adjustment by HUD and may be adjusted for rounding. Income limits are also
adjusted annually. **Minimum income guidelines do not apply to those applicants with
an approved rental assistance subsidy. Minimum incomes are set
exclusively by the Owner and may not apply if sufficient liquid assets or other
mitigating factors and/or guarantees are available as determined and approved
solely by the owner. If the Owner
requires a guaranty, please be advised that the Owner may independently verify
the income and credit/background of the guarantor and make determination
whether it is acceptable. The
determination as to whether to the guarantor meets the income and
credit/background requirements and whether to accept the guaranty is the sole
and exclusive determination of the Owner and LIHP has no authority to review,
accept or reject a guarantor. The Owner
will determine whether to accept or decline the guarantor and will notify LIHP
who will then notify the applicant. Minimum incomes are based on 2x the rent.
RENTS
Pursuant to Owner/municipal requirements, the
initial rents for each unit are set forth below and include a utility
allowance. Rents are adjusted annually
and rents are subject to increase accordingly. Tenants are responsible for paying all
utilities. The rents are set as follows:
Apartment Size
|
120% AMI:
|
2
Bedroom
|
$
2,292
|
ANNUAL RECERTIFICATION
The maximum
household income requirements are adjusted annually by HUD. Recertification of income will be required
annually to remain eligible for the Program and to preserve the units as
affordable for occupants who meet the income guidelines. Pursuant to Town of Brookhaven requirements,
occupants will meet the income guidelines on recertification as long as their
household income does not exceed the Nassau/Suffolk AMI as determined by HUD
and adjusted for household size.
Occupants of the Affordable Units whose income exceeds this amount will
no longer be eligible for the Program and will be required to vacate.
FEES
Additional fees may
be imposed by the Owner for such items as a security deposit, credit and
background assessments, trash collection, pets, parking, water, renter’s
insurance, or other items. The fees are
set by the Owner and are subject to change by the Owner without notice.
CREDIT/MINIMUM
INCOME/ BACKGROUND CHECK
The Owner, and/or its agents, will conduct a
credit/minimum income and background check on new household members 19 and over
and new household members 19 and over must meet the Owner requirements. Any
determination with respect to credit/minimum income/background rests solely
with the Owner and LIHP has no responsibility for such assessments or
determinations.
OCCUPANCY/UNIT
SELECTION
Unit selection and occupancy requirements are
established solely by the Owner and eligible applicants must work directly with
the Owner to select a unit. Any determination with
respect to available units or occupancy restrictions rests solely with the
Owner and LIHP has no responsibility for such assessments or
determinations.
PETS
The
complex is a pet friendly community; however, certain restrictions apply as
determined solely by the Owner. Additional fees may apply as required by the Owner.
Service and/or assistance animals are
not subject to the pet policy.
ELIGIBILITY PROCESS
All applicants
will be ranked and considered for the program on a first-come,
first-served
basis. Eligibility
for the Program involves a five-step process.
STEP 1: Applicant submits a First-Come
First-Served Application to LIHP
STEP 2: Once your ranking number is
reached, LIHP will forward the First-Come First-Served Application to Owner
STEP 3: Owner conducts a
credit/minimum income/background review
STEP 4: If
approved by Owner, applicant submits a Formal Program Application, together with required documentation, to
LIHP
STEP 5: LIHP
assesses Program eligibility and, if eligible, applicant works directly with
Owner for lease-up
FIRST-COME FIRST-SERVED APPLICATION
First-Come
First-Served Applications are
available through LIHP’s website at www.lihp.org/rentals.html. First-Come First-Served Applications must be
completed and submitted online at www.lihp.org/rentals.html.
CREDIT/MINIMUM INCOME/BACKGROUND REVIEW
Once your ranking
number is reached, LIHP will forward your FCFS Application to the Owner and/or
its agents, who will conduct a credit, minimum income and background assessment
on the household. Applicants will be
reviewed in the order they are ranked on the Ranked Waitlist. The credit/minimum income/background checks,
and any fee, are performed and required solely by the Owner and/or its agents
based upon their internal requirements for tenant occupancy and LIHP is not
responsible for the conduct or results of such review. The Owner and/or its agents will advise LIHP
whether the applicant meets the requirements.
LIHP will advise applicants as to their approval or rejection, via
email. If an applicant is deemed ineligible, the applicant will be removed from
the Ranked Waitlist.
FORMAL
PROGRAM APPLICATIONS/INCOME ELIGIBILITY
If an applicant has met the credit/minimum
income/ background requirements of the Owner, as an applicant’s name is reached
on the Ranked Waitlist, LIHP will send notice to the applicant, by email, to
submit a Formal Program Application
and supporting documents. The notice
will contain a link to submit documentation. LIHP will provide the applicant
with a Checklist of required documentation.
The Formal Program Application
and required documentation must be completed and received by LIHP within seven
(7) calendar days of the notice date. If
the Formal Program Application is
not received within such 7--day period, the applicant will be deemed
ineligible, with no right of appeal. If
required documentation is missing, LIHP will provide applicant notice, by
email, of what is missing and applicant will be required to submit such
documentation within three (3) calendar days of the notice date. If all the documentation is not received
within such 3- day period, the applicant will be deemed ineligible, with a
right of appeal.
If all documentation is received as required,
LIHP will then conduct an income and eligibility review to determine if the
applicant meets all Program Guidelines.
If an applicant meets the eligibility requirements, LIHP will provide
notice, by email, to the applicant and the Owner advising them of the
applicant’s eligibility. The applicant
will then work directly with the Owner to select a unit and execute a
lease. If the applicant does not comply
with the Owner requirements for lease execution, the Owner will advise LIHP
that the applicant is no longer eligible for the Program. Should the applicant be deemed ineligible,
LIHP will move on to the next name on the Waitlist, with no right of
appeal.
APPEALS
Under
some circumstances as provided herein, applicants who are deemed ineligible may
appeal the determination by submitting a request to LIHP. The appeal request
must be in writing and must be received (together will all
documentation) by LIHP within three (3) calendar days of the date of LIHP’s
notice to applicant of the determination of ineligibility. The appeal must
state the basis of the appeal and contain documentation to support the appeal.
Please note that, if the applicant was deemed ineligible due to failure to
submit required documentation within the required time frame, then, no appeal
will be granted unless the applicant submits the remaining required
documentation with the appeal request within the timeframe required. The appeal
will be promptly reviewed and the applicant advised of the final determination
by email. Notice to LIHP of an appeal request can ONLY be submitted via a
file-specific link that will be provided by LIHP.
PROCEDURE TO PROMOTE
FAIR AND EQUITABLE WAITLIST PROCESS
First-Come First-Served
Waitlist: To be included and ranked on a waitlist, applicants will only be
permitted to submit one application or intake form, as applicable. To this end, LIHP will endeavor, but is not
required to, review all submissions. If it appears that an applicant has
submitted more than one application or intake form, then LIHP may reject the
additional subsequent submission(s) and the applicant will retain the earliest
ranking number. Items to be reviewed
include, but are not limited to, (1) submissions from the same address; (2)
submissions that list the same household members; (3) submissions that list the
same names but with different addresses; (4) submissions that utilize the same
email address; (5) submissions that utilize the same phone numbers (home and
cell); and (6) such other items as may be determined in LIHP’s sole discretion.
General Provisions:
LIHP may contact the applicant
regarding any uncertainty as to whether more than one application or intake
form has been submitted. LIHP may rely
upon such certifications, documentation or other information as it deems
reasonable, in its sole discretion, in assessing whether more than one
submission has been made. If LIHP, in its sole discretion, determines that a
submission is to be rejected, LIHP may, but is not required to, notify the
applicant of same. The Program
Guidelines advise applicants of the above and, accordingly, applicants have
prior notice of such procedures. Nothing herein shall preclude more than one
application from the same address provided the applicants will not be part of
the same household for purposes of the program applied for. LIHP makes no guarantee that each duplicate
will have been identified and removed from the program.
FAIR
HOUSING AND NON-DISCRIMINATION
LIHP is committed to furthering and promoting
fair housing, equal opportunity, and non-discrimination in compliance with all
federal, state and local laws, including, but not limited to, the Fair Housing
Act, as amended by the Housing for Older Americans Act, the Americans with
Disabilities Act, the Civil Rights Act, and the New York State Human Rights
Law. The LIHP staff is available to
assist with the application, and answer questions about eligibility requirements. In furtherance of this policy, LIHP shall not
discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national or ethnic origin,
sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, familial status, source of income,
religion, disability, veterans’ status, age, or any other basis prohibited by
law.
LIMITED
ENGLISH PROFICIENCY AND ACCOMMODATIONS
LIHP
will take reasonable steps to ensure that persons with Limited English
Proficiency (LEP) and persons who need assistance or who have a limited ability
to speak, read, or write English, will have meaningful access and an equal
opportunity to participate in the Program.
Interpreters, translators and other aids needed to comply with this
policy shall be provided as reasonably necessary. If you have any questions regarding the
guidelines, or need assistance including language assistance such as
translation and/or oral interpretation services, please contact the LIHP at info@lihp.org.
DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY/RELEASE
APPLICANT ACKNOWLEDGES THAT LIHP IS
NEITHER THE OWNER, MANAGER, LANDLORD OR LEASING AGENT. LIHP’S ROLE IS
LIMITED TO REVIEWING YOUR HOUSEHOLD INCOME TO DETERMINE IF YOU MEET THE MAXIMUM
INCOME QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE PROGRAM. THE COMPLEX IS/WAS CONSTRUCTED AND IS
OPERATED INDEPENDENTLY BY THE OWNER/MANAGER AS LANDLORD AND LIHP HAS NO ROLE IN
UNIT OCCUPANCY, UNIT SELECTION, REVIEW OF YOUR SUITABILITY FOR TENANCY, FEES
ASSESSED, THE LEASE TERMS, THE LEASE-UP PROCESS BY OWNER/MANAGER, THEIR
AFFILIATES OR AGENTS, PROCESSING OF ANY HOUSING VOUCHER, UNIT LAYOUT AND
LOCATION, OR THE OPERATIONS, STATEMENTS, ACTS OR OMMISSIONS, AND
POLICIES/PROCEDURES, OF THE COMPLEX OR THE OWNER/MANAGER AND ITS AFFILIATES OR
AGENTS WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, IN CONNECTION WITH ANY
REQUEST FOR REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION (THE “OWNER RESPONSIBILITIES”). WITHOUT
LIMITING THE FOREGOING, YOU ACKNOWELDGE THAT LIHP HAS NO ABILITY OR
RESPONSIBILITY TO ADDRESS ANY REQUEST YOU MAY HAVE FOR A REASONABLE
ACCOMMODATION/MODIFICATION REGARDING A UNIT AND ANY SUCH REQUEST WILL BE MADE
BY YOU DIRECTLY TO THE OWNER/MANAGER FOR PROCESSING.
ACCORDINGLY, YOU AGREE THAT LIHP, ITS
AFFILIATES, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, OFFICERS, MEMBERS, AND DIRECTORS (COLLECTIVELY,
“LIHP”) ARE NOT LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIMS OR CAUSES OF ACTIONS ARISING FROM ANY OF
THE OWNER/MANAGER RESPONSIBILITIES AND, FOR GOOD AND VALUABLE CONSIDERATION,
YOU HEREBY RELEASE AND WAIVE ALL CLAIMS OR CAUSES OF ACTION YOU NOW HAVE OR MAY
HAVE AGAINST LIHP ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THE OWNER RESPONSIBILITIES.
YOU HAVE READ THIS DOCUMENT, UNDERSTAND
THAT YOU MAY HAVE GIVEN UP SUBSTANTIAL RIGHTS BY SIGNING IT, AND HAVE SIGNED IT
FREELY AND WITHOUT ANY INDUCEMENT OR ASSURANCE OF ANY NATURE AND INTEND IT TO
BE A COMPLETE AND UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE OF ALL LIABILITY TO THE GREATEST EXTENT
ALLOWED BY LAW. IF ANY PROVISION OF THIS DOCUMENT IS UNENFORCEABLE, IT SHALL BE
MODIFIED TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY TO MAKE THE PROVISION VALID AND BINDING, AND
THE REMAINDER OF THIS DOCUMENT SHALL REMAIN ENFORCEABLE TO THE FULL EXTENT
ALLOWED BY LAW.
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Disclaimer: It is understood that this is not an offer
and that the processes, terms and conditions may be changed at any time by the
Long Island Housing Partnership, Inc., and Affiliates. It is further understood that notices by the
Long Island Housing Partnership, Inc., and Affiliates may be made in such
manner as Long Island Housing Partnership, Inc., and Affiliates may determine,
including solely by email or advertisement.