PROGRAM
GUIDELINES
SPRUCE
POND
AFFORDABLE
RENTAL HOUSING PROGRAM
FIRST-COME
FIRST-SERVED
As
of March 7, 2025
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
The Long Island Housing Partnership (LIHP), in cooperation with Spruce
Pond Co. LLC (the “Owner”), is pleased to announce
that it is accepting First Come First Served Applications for
affordable one-bedroom rental units (the “Affordable
Units”) in Holbrook, New York. As of
date, thirteen (13) units are available. The Affordable Units are part of a
larger rental complex known as “Spruce Pond.”
LIHP is responsible for
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. Final
eligibility for tenancy is the determination of the Owner and not LIHP.
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 rentals5@lihp.org before
applying. Employees of LIHP and their immediate family members are precluded
from participating in the program.
Si tiene alguna pregunta sobre cualquiera de las Pautas del Programa,
o necesita ayuda, incluendo la asistencia lingüística, como servicios de
traducción y/o interpretación oral, envíe un correo electrónico a LIHP a rentals5@lihp.org antes de presentar su solicitud. Los empleados de LIHP
y sus familiares inmediatos no pueden participar en el programa.
LIHP IS NEITHER THE OWNER, MANAGER, LANDLORD 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.
SPRUCE POND RENTAL PROGRAM
The affordable apartments are located within a 36-unit rental
complex known as Spruce Pond located at 20 Spruce Pond, Holbrook, NY. Spruce Pond is a luxury apartment community
offering amenities such as a state-of-the-art fitness center and pond view.
MAXIMUM & MINIMUM INCOME
GUIDELINES
Pursuant to Owner
requirements, the Affordable Units will be available to
households with incomes at or below 80% of the HUD Area Median Income for
Nassau/Suffolk Counties (AMI), adjusted for household size. The estimated 2024 income limits are as
follows:
1 BEDROOM (1-3 persons)
HOUSEHOLD SIZE *MAXIMUM
ANNUAL INCOME **MINIMUM
ANNUAL INCOME
1 $87,500 $56,256
2 $100,000 $56,256 3 $112,500 $56,256
*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 gross rent.
RENTS
Pursuant to Owner requirements,
the rents for each unit are set forth below. 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
|
80% AMI:
|
1 Bedroom
|
$ 2,137
|
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 Owner 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 applicants and applicants 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.
****************************************************************
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.