Community Development Long Island

What Community Development Long Island does

Community Development Long Island (CDLI), founded in 1970 and headquartered in Melville, NY, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community development corporation that serves low- and moderate-income households across Long Island's Nassau and Suffolk Counties, the Town of Hempstead, the Village of Sea Cliff, and select Brooklyn project-based voucher buildings. CDLI operates as a holding of three interrelated entities — CDLI Parent Corporation, CDCLI Funding Corporation (a certified Community Development Financial Institution), and CDCLI Housing Development Corporation — making it the only full-service collection of community development entities on Long Island. Its portfolio spans more than 40 distinct programs across five verticals: rental assistance (Housing Choice Voucher/Section 8 administration as the NYS HCR Local Administrator, plus Mainstream Vouchers for non-elderly disabled and Making Moves mobility coaching), homeownership preparation (HUD-certified 8-hour homebuyer education in-person and online, Down Payment Assistance up to $75,000, NYS First Time Homebuyer Grant, Acquisition & Rehabilitation Loans, Voucher Homeownership, Rent-to-Own), home repair and resilience (Home Improvement Loans, Weatherization for ~400 homes/year, Emergency Repair up to $5,000, Septic Replacement, Resiliency Retrofits up to $50,000, ADU lending, Climate Friendly Homes Fund), accessibility and senior services (Access to Home, Access to Home for Heroes for veterans, Senior Resident Services at four complexes), and financial empowerment (Financial Fitness, Getting Your House in Order, eHome Money Management).

CDLI's revenue model is fundamentally a pass-through public-finance model. It draws on federal grants (US DOE and HHS for Weatherization; NYS Homeowner Protection Program from the Office of the Attorney General for foreclosure counseling), state funding (NYS HCR for HCV administration and the Long Island Home Improvement Program, NYS Affordable Housing Corporation, SONYMA, NYS Community Power), county and municipal contributions (Suffolk County septic grants and Landbank partnership, Town of Babylon/East Hampton/Shelter Island/Southampton for ADU and CHF programs), donations and charitable contributions, program administration fees, modest course fees ($50-$100 for homebuyer and financial education), and interest income from a CDFI loan book priced at 4-6% on products ranging from $5,000 emergency repairs to $125,000 ADU loans. The technology stack is non-proprietary: a Wix-hosted website, a MyHousing Resident Portal for HCV recertification, standard online application forms, and third-party online education platforms (eHome America, Framework). Distribution is direct — through two physical offices (Melville and Hempstead), community outreach, government and partner referrals, and online self-serve portals — with a sales-led, government-anchored GTM motion overlaid on community-led engagement.

Cumulatively, CDLI reports serving 25,380 individuals, permanently housing 15,000, weatherizing 276 homes, supporting 67 first-time home purchases, and operating under NeighborWorks America chartered membership and HUD-certified housing counselor status. Key institutional anchors include the NYS HCR HCV Local Administrator role (exclusive territorial appointment), the CDFI designation, the NeighborWorks charter, the SCLBC/NY AG land-revitalization partnership, and the HEALI Social Care Network partnership under the NYS Medicaid 1115 Waiver. The organization operates with 51-100 employees and is governed by an independent Board of Directors with no parent company.

Name

Community Development Long Island

Legal name

Community Development Corporation of Long Island

Website

https://cdli.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Community Development Long Island (CDLI) is a Melville, NY-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers housing counseling, CDFI lending, rental assistance (Section 8/HCV administration), home repair, ADU financing, and financial coaching to low- and moderate-income households across Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Melville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: CDLI operates primarily as a nonprofit organization dependent on donations and charitable contributions from individuals, foundations, and community supporters to fund programs and services.
2. Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Lending: As a Certified CDFI, CDLI generates revenue through interest on loan products including home improvement loans, ADU loans, down payment assistance loans, and acquisition/rehabilitation loans. Interest rates vary from 3% to 6% depending on household income and program.
3. Program Administration Fees: CDLI administers government-funded programs (NY State HCR, weatherization, septic replacement, home improvement) and earns administrative fees for processing applications, managing inspections, and overseeing program compliance.
4. Housing Counseling and Education Services: CDLI provides HUD-certified housing counseling and homebuyer education classes, generating revenue through course fees ranging from $50-$100 for education programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

CDLI provides affordable housing solutions, HUD-certified housing counseling, CDFI lending products, and community development programs to Long Island residents. Core services include Housing Choice Voucher administration, homebuyer education, down payment and home improvement loans, weatherization, foreclosure intervention, senior and veteran accessibility modifications, and ADU construction financing. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit through CDLI Parent Corporation, CDCLI Funding Corporation (CDFI), and CDCLI Housing Development Corporation.

Product overview

CDLI is a nonprofit community development organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of housing-related programs and services on Long Island. The organization operates through multiple entities including CDLI Parent Corporation, CDCLI Funding Corporation (a Certified CDFI), and CDCLI Housing Development Corporation. Key product categories include: homeownership programs (First Time Homebuyer Education, NYS First Time Homebuyer Grant, Down Payment Assistance, Acquisition & Rehabilitation Loans, Voucher Homeownership, Rent-to-Own); home improvement and repair programs (Home Improvement Loan, Weatherization Assistance, Long Island Resiliency Retrofits, Emergency Repair, Septic Replacement, ADU programs); rental housing (Housing Choice Voucher administration, rental properties including Fieldstone at Commack II, Greenview Estate House, and Baldwin Commons); financial education and coaching (Financial Fitness, Getting Your House in Order); senior and accessibility services (Access to Home, Access to Home for Heroes, Senior Resident Services); and energy programs (Community Power, Climate Friendly Homes). The CDFI provides various lending products supporting all other programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Housing Choice Voucher Program Section 8 rental assistance program administered for Nassau and Suffolk Counties, Town of Hempstead, Village of Sea Cliff, and select project-based voucher buildings in Brooklyn, helping families afford decent housing in the private market. CDLI provides tenant eligibility verification, lease-up processing, annual recertification, and Housing Quality Standards inspections.
• First Time Homebuyer Education HUD-approved 8-hour homebuyer education class offered in-person or via Zoom, led by HUD-Certified Housing Counselors, covering the full home-buying process from pre-approval to closing. Pricing: $50 in-person, $75 (Framework) or $100 (eHome America) online.
• Online Homebuyer Education Online home buyer education through eHome America and Framework platforms teaching how to shop for a home, secure a mortgage, and maintain homeownership.
• NYS First Time Homebuyer Grant Program Deferred loan program for down payment and post-closing home repairs for first-time homebuyers, offering up to $60,000 based on family size and household income, with 0% interest and no payments required for 10 years.
• Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Loan Low-interest rate loan for down payment and closing cost assistance for first-time homebuyers with income up to 120% AMI, loan up to $75,000, fixed interest rates of 4%, 4.25%, or 4.5%.
• Accessory Dwelling Unit Loan Product (ADU) Low interest rate second mortgage loan product for gap funding on Plus One ADU Grant projects in Towns of Babylon, East Hampton, Shelter Island and Southampton, loan amounts up to $125,000 at 4% or 6% interest.
• Acquisition & Rehabilitation Loan Loan combining down payment and rehabilitation portions to acquire and repair a property, with loan amounts from $25,000-$50,000 at 4% or 6% interest, 30-year max term, requiring at least 51% of funds for repairs.
• Septic Replacement Loan Program Low-interest loan product for Suffolk County residents to cover gap funding between Suffolk County septic grant and installation costs, with zero application fees and zero closing costs, loan amounts up to $10,000.
• Home Improvement Loan Low-interest home improvement loans for eligible Long Island homeowners up to $25,000, with interest rates of 4% or 6% based on household income, covering electrical, plumbing, HVAC, energy efficiency, and structural repairs.
• Emergency Home Repair Loan Loan for emergency home repairs up to $5,000 for owner-occupied single-family homes, covering hot water heaters, heating systems, roof repairs, storm damage, termite treatment, and broken windows.
• Weatherization Assistance Program Energy efficiency program reducing heating/cooling costs and improving home safety through weatherstripping, insulation, heating system improvements, energy efficient lighting and refrigeration, serving approximately 400 homes annually. No cost to eligible homeowners.
• Long Island Resiliency Retrofits Program Storm, flood and energy improvement program offering up to $50,000 (half as 3% interest loan, half as grant) for homeowners to fortify homes against flood and storm damage, with 5-10 year repayment term.
• Plus One ADU Program Full-service program for low- and middle-income single-family homeowners in Babylon, East Hampton, Shelter Island, and Southampton to build or improve accessory dwelling units, with up to $125,000 in forgivable grant funding including project management.
• Access to Home for Heroes Veterans accessibility program providing up to $25,000 in forgivable loan funding for home modifications including ramps, lifts, handrails, bathroom modifications, and driveways, forgiven after 3 years of owner-occupancy.
• Access To Home Program Home accessibility program helping individuals with physical mobility challenges live safely and independently at home through modifications, avoiding institutional care settings.
• Foreclosure Intervention Free HUD-certified housing counselor program helping homeowners facing mortgage challenges, providing personalized action plans, legal referrals, lender communication, and mortgage modifications.
• Reverse Mortgage Counseling Housing counseling for seniors about Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) program, helping homeowners access home value while aging safely without relocating.
• Fieldstone at Commack II 98-unit 55+ affordable rental community at 1100 Jericho Turnpike, Commack, NY, with 12 affordable units available including 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom options, targeting veterans and individuals with IDD.
• Greenview Estate House 158-unit senior rental development at 4180 Sunrise Highway, Oakdale, NY, with 16 designated senior affordable units for residents 62+, income at or below 80% HUD AMI.
• Baldwin Commons 33-unit multi-family affordable rental development at 785 Merrick Road, Baldwin, NY, with initial occupancy determined by lottery.
• Making Moves Program Housing mobility coaching and financial assistance program for Housing Choice Voucher families with children under 18, helping relocate to high-opportunity areas in Nassau and Suffolk counties with personalized coaching and moving cost support.
• Voucher Homeownership (VHO) Program enabling existing Housing Choice Voucher participants to achieve homeownership through subsidies and creative financing, providing second mortgages to bridge gap between conventional mortgage and purchase price.
• Mainstream Voucher Program Rental assistance program for non-elderly people with disabilities and their families, providing tenant-based rental assistance for affordable housing access.
• Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Voluntary program helping Housing Choice Voucher families with services to become more economically stable, including job training, budget classes, homebuyer education, and potential escrow savings.
• Financial Education & Coaching Financial Fitness, Health, & Wealth course teaching budgeting, savings, credit establishment and repair over 4 sessions, with optional one-on-one financial coaching for personalized goal achievement.
• Rent-To-Own Program Program where CDLI acquires and renovates single family dwellings for rental to Long Islanders committed to homeownership within 3 years, requiring Financial Fitness and Homebuyer Education participation.
• Dreamers of Homeownership Preparation program that helps individuals become mortgage-ready by educating them about the home-buying process, pitfalls to avoid, and available funding opportunities.
• Single Family Home Development (SCLBC) Partnership with Suffolk County Landbank Corporation to purchase abandoned/foreclosed homes, rehabilitate them, and make available for sale to qualified first-time home buyers.
• CD Financial Institution (CDFI) Lending Certified Community Development Financial Institution providing a variety of lending options meeting the evolving needs of Long Island communities, including home improvement loans, down payment assistance, ADU loans, septic replacement, and acquisition/rehabilitation loans.
• Cesspool/Septic System Replacement & Retrofit Low-interest loan for replacing outdated septic systems with nitrogen-reducing systems for Long Island homeowners, loan amounts up to $10,000 at 4% or 6% interest.

Quantifiable outcome

• 25,380 individuals served across all programs
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NeighborWorks AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDLI is a chartered member of NeighborWorks America, a national nonprofit organization that supports community development. This affiliation provides access to national best practices, training resources, and organizational credibility for housing and community development initiatives.
• Home Matters AmericaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHome Matters America is referenced as a partner organization, likely in the context of affordable housing initiatives and community development programs.
• New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDLI serves as Local Administrator for NY State HCR Housing Choice Voucher program covering Nassau/Suffolk Counties, Town of Hempstead, Village of Sea Cliff, and select Brooklyn properties. HCR provides program funding and oversight for affordable housing initiatives.
• Suffolk County Landbank Corporation (SCLBC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCLBC purchases abandoned and foreclosed homes and CDLI rehabilitates them to high-quality standards for sale to qualified first-time home buyers. This collaboration revitalizes Long Island neighborhoods and promotes homeownership.
• Health Empowerment Alliance of Long Island (HEALI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDLI is a proud partner of HEALI, Long Island's Social Care Network under the NY State Medicaid 1115 Waiver. HEALI is a regional network of 100+ CBOs, healthcare providers, and social service partners connecting Medicaid members with health-related social needs services.
• Home HeadQuartersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHome HeadQuarters, a nonprofit based in Syracuse, NY, collaborates with CDLI on manufactured home loan packaging. Home HeadQuarters processes and underwrites loans while CDLI educates applicants and takes applications.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Enterprise Community Partners: Enterprise Community Partners is a national CDFI and affordable housing nonprofit operating across the NY region with housing development, lending, and policy advocacy. A broader incumbent at significantly greater scale, but with overlapping program areas in housing counseling and CDFI lending.
• Self-Help Credit Union: Self-Help is one of the largest US CDFIs, providing affordable home loans, small business lending, and community development services across multiple states. A broader incumbent CDFI peer with comparable lending products and community development mission, though operating at significantly greater scale.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) NY: LISC is one of the largest national CDFIs and a major community development intermediary that finances housing and community development projects across NY. A broader incumbent operating statewide with substantially larger capital pools, providing both competitive overlap and potential partnership opportunities.

Direct peers

• Neighborhood Housing Services of New York City: NHSNYC is a HUD-certified housing counseling agency and CDFI providing homebuyer education, foreclosure prevention, and home improvement lending in NYC. Functionally identical service model to CDLI with a different NYC geography and longer institutional history.
• Long Island Housing Partnership: Long Island Housing Partnership is a nonprofit affordable housing organization serving Nassau and Suffolk Counties - CDLI's exact service area - offering homebuyer education, down payment assistance, foreclosure prevention, and rental housing programs. Highly comparable in mission, geography, and program mix.
• NYC Housing Partnership: NYC Housing Partnership is a NY-based nonprofit that develops and preserves affordable housing while providing homebuyer education, foreclosure counseling, and lending services. Directly comparable in mission scope and CDFI-adjacent activities, though with a NYC (versus Long Island) geographic focus.
• Habitat for Humanity of Long Island: Habitat for Humanity of Long Island builds affordable homes and provides homebuyer education and lending support in CDLI's service area. A direct peer on the affordable housing development and homeownership continuum, with a different construction-led model.

Others

• New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR): NY State HCR is CDLI's primary government partner and the source of the Housing Choice Voucher program that CDLI administers. Not a competitor but a closely linked entity whose policy decisions and funding levels directly determine CDLI's HCV program scale and revenue.

Regional players

• Massachusetts Housing Partnership: Massachusetts Housing Partnership is a state-level nonprofit that provides homebuyer education, foreclosure prevention, and affordable housing development support across MA. Comparable in structure and program mix, but operates exclusively in MA rather than Long Island.
• Chautauqua Home Rehabilitation & Improvement Corporation: CHRIC is a NY State nonprofit providing housing rehabilitation, weatherization, and homebuyer services in western NY. Comparable CDFI-adjacent service model, but serves a different NY region than CDLI.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/communitydevli
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCvSZvQ6mDZtVicX2F61zDwA
• Facebookfacebook.com/CommunityDevelopmentLI
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/community-development-long-island
• Instagraminstagram.com/communitydevelopmentli

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Community Development Long Island