New York's attorney general announced that $9 million in state grants will be going toward fixing so-called "zombie" homes on Long Island.

Peter Elkowitz, of the Long Island Housing Partnership, works to get formerly zombified properties back on the market. The partnership also works with municipalities to provide affordable housing.

Elkowitz says the $9 million is the second phase of funds that will rehabilitate homes. The first phase, Elkowitz says, was used for outreach for people facing foreclosure, setting up a database for zombie homes and improving code enforcement.

Elkowitz says municipalities will need to apply to get some of the second phase funds. They have until March to do so.

Jonathon Rodriguez's grandparents have lived on Locust Street in Central Islip for almost 40 years. He says they're glad to see work being done on a foreclosed and abandoned home across the street.

The funding came from the settlement of a lawsuit by the attorney general's office against lenders and banks that provided deceptive marketing of mortgages.

There are about 1,000 zombie homes in Nassau and Suffolk counties.