Continuing to fight the causes of Long Island's "brain drain," S.C. Exec. Steve Levy today announced the legislative approval for his latest affordable housing initiative. Under Levy's legislation, Suffolk County will transfer two properties to the town of Babylon, which will provide them to qualifying individuals at an affordable, lower than market value price. The county has invested money in each of the properties since taking ownership, and could have auctioned them off to bring in additional revenue, but deemed them to be better used for affordable housing purposes.

The two properties, located on Woodland Drive in Wyandanch, span roughly an eighth of an acre, and will be transferred to the Town of Babylon through the 72-H state law. This program allows the county to transfer properties it acquires through out Suffolk to other municipalities - such as towns and villages - to be used for affordable housing purposes.

Levy has used the 72-H program extensively throughout his administration to provide affordable housing to the young and working families in Suffolk County.

"Our young people and working families are moving away from Long Island at an alarming rate," Levy said. "We must do everything we can to provide these young professionals with a place to call home."

"We realize that the ability to purchase a home during this economic crisis is extremely difficult," said Babylon Town Supervisor Steve Bellone. "We are committed in the Town of Babylon to provide affordable housing to our residents, especially our young people who are finding it increasingly difficult to remain on Long Island. We thank County Executive Steve Levy for transferring these properties to the Town of Babylon for future development."

Levy submitted his legislation transferring the parcels to Babylon at the December 2 meeting of the Suffolk County Legislature and approved at the subsequent general meeting.