The Brain Drain Problem
Long Island has excellent schools that prepare young people for success—but too many leave after graduation because they cannot afford to stay. With median home prices at $680,000 (double the national average) and housing stock growing only 2% over a decade, young adults face impossible math.
This outflow threatens Long Island's economic future. Without young workers, businesses struggle to fill positions. Without young families, schools face declining enrollment. Without the next generation, communities age and stagnate.
Housing Solutions
Starter Home Production
- Transit-oriented development near LIRR stations
- Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) by right
- Missing middle housing: duplexes, townhomes, small apartments
- Adaptive reuse of commercial buildings
First-Time Buyer Support
- Down payment assistance programs
- Shared equity homeownership (community land trusts)
- Employer-assisted housing programs
- State and county first-time buyer tax credits
Rental Affordability
- Inclusionary zoning requiring affordable units
- Rental voucher expansion
- Fair housing enforcement
- Age-restricted housing freeing up family homes
At a $680,000 median home price with 20% down, a buyer needs $136,000 for a down payment plus income to support a roughly $4,200/month mortgage payment. That requires household income approaching $170,000—well above what most young workers earn.
Career Opportunity
Entry-Level Pathways
- Internship programs connecting students to local employers
- Apprenticeships in skilled trades with union wages
- Healthcare career ladders from aide to nurse to advanced practice
- Technology bootcamps with employer hiring commitments
Remote Work Infrastructure
Remote and hybrid work has made it possible to live on Long Island while working for employers anywhere. Supporting this trend:
- Coworking spaces in downtown areas
- Reliable broadband throughout the region
- Flexible live-work zoning
- Local networking and professional development
Quality of Life
What Keeps Young People
- Walkable downtowns with restaurants, shops, entertainment
- Parks, beaches, and recreational amenities
- Reliable public transit to job centers
- Arts and cultural programming
- Safe, welcoming communities for all
Downtown Revitalization
Vibrant downtowns attract young professionals who want urban amenities without Manhattan costs:
- Patchogue, Huntington, Port Washington as models
- Mixed-use development with apartments over retail
- Pedestrian improvements and outdoor dining
- Events and programming to draw visitors
Policy Integration
Youth retention requires coordinating housing, economic development, and transportation policy. A young worker needs:
- An affordable place to live (housing policy)
- A job that pays enough to live on (workforce policy)
- A way to get to work (transportation policy)
- A community worth staying in (quality of life)