Affordable Housing Project Approved for Brentwood Campus

By Samantha Miller

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood, New York, are proud to announce that the Town of Islip Planning Board officially approved a change of zoning that will allow Concern Housing’s plans to create affordable housing on the Sisters’ property in Brentwood.

Concern Housing, a nonprofit housing developer, aims to preserve and restore the 100-year-old Academy of St. Joseph buildings while turning the space into 176 units of supportive/affordable housing.

“The Sisters of St. Joseph are so full of gratitude for those who are making all this possible, not the least of which includes Concern Housing,” shared S. Tesa Fitzgerald, CSJ, President of the Sisters. “Their goal of creating affordable housing goes hand in hand with the Sisters’ charism of their love for God and neighbor without distinction, while serving those in need.

“We are grateful to those who were present and for your prayerful support as this important project moves forward,” S. Tesa added.

The Academy, a private Catholic school for students from kindergarten through 12th grade, closed in 2009. The buildings take up about 500,000 square feet on a 15.5-acre portion of the sisters’ 212-acre campus.

“We are thrilled to receive news that the Town of Islip Planning Board voted unanimously to recommend the approval of Joseph’s Village — a major milestone in our partnership with the Sisters of St. Joseph,” Ralph Fasano, Executive Director of Concern Housing, said. “This project will bring 176 much-needed affordable homes to the Brentwood community. We are honored to work alongside the Sisters, whose mission of compassion and service aligns so closely with our own. Together, we are building more than housing—we are creating a place of dignity, stability, and opportunity for those who need it most.”

This project, which is now seeking final approval from New York State’s Attorney General, will ensure the Sisters of St. Joseph can keep helping those in need well into the future.