Zack Harrington has been a volunteer firefighter with the Greenlawn Fire Department for more than 15 years - as well as a paramedic.

It wasn't until now, with the help of the Town of Huntington's priority housing wait list, that he was able to afford a home of his own.

The program allows first responders who qualify financially to go to the top of the wait list for affordable units.

Harrington is renting a one-bedroom unit in Huntington Station for $1,000 a month less than it would normally go for.

He hopes other first responders will take advantage of the program, and help to keep firefighters and EMTs on Long Island, rather than moving away due to rising housing costs.