A mission to create affordable senior living in Freeport

Levittown-based D&F Development Group has set its sights on addressing the urgent demand for affordable senior housing on Long Island. The developer is planning a $44 million project to provide secure and comfortable living for lower-income people ages 55 and over on church property in Freeport.

D&F is acquiring roughly two-thirds of a .98-acre parcel owned by the Refuge Apostolic Church of Christ, at 106 Broadway, for the development. Notably, the church will remain unaltered, and continue to be a place of worship.

The housing will be named the Bishop Ronald H. Carter Manor, in honor of the late prelate, who died last November, at age 84. Carter’s vision for the community has become the driving force behind the project.

A five-story, 76,669-square-foot building will be constructed on just over two-thirds of an acre at the corner of Broadway and Rosedale Avenue. It will offer 75 one-bedroom and four two-bedroom units, 48 of which will be reserved for renters with incomes no higher than 50 percent of the area median income. Additionally, 23 one-bedroom units will be set aside for those earning up to 70 percent of the AMI, and the remaining eight apartments will be reserved for those earning up to 30 percent of the AMI.

In addition to being affordable, the aim of the development will be to foster a sense of community among its residents. The building will have a community room, a lounge and an outdoor courtyard. There will be 94 parking spaces on two levels for residents and church members.

“This is absolutely needs-driven,” Peter Florey, a principal at D&F, said. “There’s a tremendous need not only for economically accessible housing these days, but in particular for those who are our most vulnerable in our senior population. That includes folks who are more frail or more elderly, who are really challenged because assisted living is so expensive. That’s really why we feel that this is a good time for this project.”

To facilitate it, D&F has applied for tax incentives from the Town of Hempstead Industrial Development Agency. It is seeking a 30-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement.

Carter’s daughter, Tanya, highlighted the significance of the project to the community. “People are living longer than they were years ago, and people need a place to stay, and they need a place to meet and food to eat,” Carter said. “Bishop always kept the doors open, for souls to be saved. But we used to have a soup kitchen, because people needed to eat. We gave out food at the church — we gave out food baskets around the holidays to make sure everybody could eat. But a person always needs a place to stay, and that’s where this comes from.”

The Refuge Apostolic Church of Christ was founded in 1965 by Carter and his wife Phyllis, in the basement of Philly’s Mother’s house in Hempstead. From that modest beginning, their vision and commitment to the community set the foundation for a spiritual journey that would span decades.

The church’s story is one of faith, growth and unwavering dedication. It later moved to the Carter’s house in Roosevelt, where, in those early days, the congregation consisted of the Carters, their daughters and a small group of faithful followers.

As the congregation grew, the church moved into a building in Roosevelt, but was eventually forced to vacate it. Carter turned to prayer and, the story goes, in a dream, he saw a church building with a bustling parking lot.

“God revealed to him that he would one day become a pastor,” his daughter said, “and in fulfilling that role, there would be a church involved, a concept he referred to as a Kabbalah, a Hebrew word meaning a visual representation of what God intends for one’s future, contingent upon following His guidance. It took more than 40 years for this dream to come to pass.”

The church relocated to Freeport over four decades ago, and Carter’s legacy, marked by his dream and his commitment to his congregation, remained a guiding force even after his death.

“The late Bishop Ronald H. Carter played a huge role — he initiated it and his family continues it, and members of the church continue it,” Florey said, “and we’re really honored to be part of that whole process.”

D&F, led by Florey and principal Leonard D’Amico, has made a substantial impact on Long Island in recent years with its focus on affordable housing. With groundbreaking anticipated in 2024, and completion of the Bishop Ronald H. Carter Manor expected in late 2025 or early 2026, it is likely to become a beacon of hope and security for Freeport’s senior citizens as Long Island’s need for affordable housing continues to grow.