3 New Cassel Zombie Homes To Be Given New Life Thanks To State Grant

NEW CASSEL, NY — The Town of North Hempstead has received more than $1 million in state grants to help turn abandoned houses into homes for first-time home buyers in New Cassel.

The town got $1.265 million from the state's Restore New York Communities Initiative, which will help rebuild three abandoned homes in New Cassel as part of the New Cassel Workforce Housing Phase III Development.

“I am so proud that the town was one of the select communities across New York State to be awarded funds through the Restore NY Communities Grant,” Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena said. “Once completed, these brand-new homes will improve the community, help stimulate the economy and aid in revitalizing New Cassel."

The grant will help fill budget gaps created by demolition expenses, increased material and labor costs, and supply chain shortages. The three properties selected were identified as zombie homes by the town’s Zombie Home task force. These properties have been vacant for many years.

Once completed, the homes will be sold to families with incomes at or below 80 percent of HUD’s Area Median Income. For 2022, the income limit for a family of four is $116,250.

The town will conduct a lottery to select homeowners. Prospective homebuyers are provided counseling and granted down payment assistance to facilitate homeownership. The town's Community Development Agency completed and sold 19 similar workforce homes over the past 10 years.

"These Restore New York grants will help to reimagine downtowns across our state and transform vacant, blighted, and underutilized buildings into vibrant community anchors," Gov. Kathy Hochul said. "Thanks to $102 million of state investment, we are breathing new life into communities from Hudson to North Hempstead, jumpstarting new economic activity, and ensuring that New York State continues to be a place where people come to live, work and raise their families."