Housing Insecurity Prevention Assistance Programs Open

New Suffolk Department of Social Services Rental Supplement Program is open for individuals or families experiencing homelessness – Please see flyers with eligibility guidelines for individuals or families with 5 or more.

Town of Babylon‘s Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Program opened on December 18th, 2023. This program is for extremely low-income households who are in rental arrears to help residents regain housing stability and prevent homelessness. For more information and to apply, please visit Long Island Housing Partnership’s website.

Town of Babylon’s Mortgage Arrears Program opened on February 27th, 2024. The Town of Brookhaven (Town) is making CDBG-CV funds available for low to moderate-income Town of Babylon residents with mortgage arrears incurred due to a COVID-19-related loss of income. Funds will cover a maximum of 6 consecutive months of arrears, subject to a cap of $50,000, and are paid directly to the lender. For more information and to apply, please visit the Long Island Housing Partnership’s website.

Town of Brookhaven’s CDBG-CV Covid-19 Rental Arrears Program is now closed.

Tip: Rent abatement (or reduction) is when, in extenuating circumstances, tenants may make necessary repairs and deduct reasonable repair costs from the rent. For example, when a landlord has been notified that a door lock is broken and willfully neglects to repair it, the tenant may hire a locksmith and deduct the cost from the rent. Tenants should keep receipts for such repairs and copies of all communications with the landlord about the repairs. Note: The landlord may commence a non-payment eviction case against you if you do not pay the rent but you will be able to raise the lack of repairs as a defense and ask the court for an abatement.

Nassau Suffolk Law Services, in partnership with Empire Justice Center, can now assist Nassau and Suffolk residential tenants with housing-related legal problems (like eviction) and a household income of up to 80% of the Area Median Income. Services are available through this partnership regardless of immigration status. Please call the office closest to you to see if you are eligible for legal services. Interpreters are available. Suffolk residents west of 112 can call 631-232-2400 and east of 112 can call 631-369-1112. Nassau residents can call 516-292-8100. Feel free to share our flyer in both English, Spanish, and Haitian-Creole