Gov. Malloy announces $18 million to revitalize and expand affordable housing opportunities

State Funds Will Revitalize Developments in Eight Communities

HARTFORD, CT – August 27, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Governor Dannel P. Malloy and Department of Housing (DOH) Commissioner Evonne M. Klein today announced that the State of Connecticut is awarding $17,960,000 in loans and grants to help fund ten affordable housing developments in the State Sponsored Housing Portfolio.

“My administration has made increasing the availability of affordable housing a key component of our strategy to invigorate Connecticut’s economy,” said Governor Malloy. “When we secure more housing for our state’s residents, we are making a proactive effort to stimulate economic activity and create more jobs in Connecticut. We are working on a detailed ten-year plan that recommends priorities and plots out capital investments to revitalize some of the state’s existing affordable housing and will make the properties sustainable for the long term.”

The grants come as part of the ten-year, $300 million State-Sponsored Housing Portfolio Revitalization Initiative, which is jointly administered by DOH and the Connecticut Housing Financing Authority (CHFA) to fund the rehabilitation of a portfolio of over 340 properties at which approximately 19,000 people reside. In many cases, this housing offers the only affordable option for some of the state’s lowest income residents.

“I am proud that Governor Malloy has made housing such an important part of his administration,” said Commissioner Klein. “By taking these necessary steps to rehabilitate our housing portfolio, we are ensuring that Connecticut residents will have an affordable, quality, and safe place to call home for years to come.”

The project financing announced today will be distributed among the following projects:
• Brooklyn – Tiffany Place: DOH will provide approximately $2,047,000 to assist in the complete rehabilitation of two existing vacant buildings owned by the Brooklyn Housing Authority. The buildings are within the Quinebaug/Quebec Square National Register Historic District and contain a total of 27 dwelling units.

• Danbury – Fairfield Ridge Apartments: DOH will provide approximately $2,500,000 to assist Fairfield Ridge Housing Associates, LP in the rehabilitation of Fairfield Ridge Apartments located at 1-60 Fairfield Ridge Rd in Danbury. Additional financing of approximately $6,300,000 will be made available through CHFA and the Low-Income Housing Tax-Credit Program. Fairfield Ridge Apartments is moderate rental family housing with a mix of 45 two-bedroom units and 13 three-bedroom units in duplex and ranch style homes.

• Hamden – Hamden Village: DOH will provide approximately $2,805,000 to assist in the rehabilitation of Hamden Village and Hamden Village Extension, owned by the Hamden Housing Authority. The Authority will also leverage an additional $2,575,000 in financing from CHFA. Hamden Village is a 60-unit affordable elderly housing development consisting of 15 buildings.

Hamden Village Extension, located adjacent to Hamden Village, is a 50-unit affordable elderly housing development consisting of one building. Rehabilitation of both developments will include exterior upgrades in parking and walkways, energy saving improvements, vinyl siding, windows, roofing, community room boiler/ AC /generator, community room upgrades and unit upgrades.

• Hartford – Jackie Schaffer Apartments: DOH will provide approximately $950,000 to assist Community Renewal Team, Inc. in the rehabilitation of Jackie Schaffer Apartments, a 10-unit affordable housing development. Rehabilitation will include paving, vinyl siding, masonry repointing, replacement of deck fencing, roof replacement, upgrading the building electrical systems, new windows, kitchen and bathroom upgrades, new smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and new boilers.

• Old Lyme – Rye Field Manor: DOH will provide approximately $2,057,000 to assist Shoreline Affordable Housing Inc. in the moderate rehabilitation of Rye Field Manor, a 39-unit affordable elderly development consisting of 13 buildings, plus a community building. Rehabilitation includes the replacement of the well water system, windows, insulation in crawl space and attic to minimize air infiltration, and the replacement of existing furnaces with energy-efficient units.

• Newington – Cedar Village, Keleher Park, New Meadow Village: DOH will provide approximately $2,495,000 to assist the Newington Housing Authority in the rehabilitation of New Meadow Village, Cedar Village, and Keleher Park developments. The Authority will also leverage an additional $1,000,000 in financing from CHFA. The three developments account for 106 senior housing units in Newington. Rehabilitation of the developments will include new roadway and site lighting, new vinyl siding, several unit conversions for ADA compliance, new bathrooms, new boilers at Cedar Village, new exterior doors, and new VCT flooring.

• Vernon – Pitkat Congregate Living Center: DOH will provide approximately $3,913,000 to assist the Vernon Housing Authority in the rehabilitation of Francis J. Pitkat Congregate Living Center that consists of 43 units that are divided into 36 efficiency and seven one bedroom units for elderly residents over the age of 62. Rehabilitation will include new paving, site lighting/improvements, new roofing, new kitchens, renovated bathrooms, new windows, exterior doors, new finishes/flooring, repair to masonry and concrete block. After completion of the rehabilitation, the total unit count will increase to 44units as one efficiency apartment will be created from unused space.

• Waterbury – Liberty Hall Apartment: DOH will provide approximately $1,192,000 to assist St. Vincent dePaul Mission of Waterbury in the rehabilitation of Liberty Hall Apartments., a 16-unit two-story, wood framed building consisting of 13 two-bedroom and 3 three-bedroom affordable family units. Rehabilitation will include paving roadway, parking areas and walkways, energy saving improvements, site lighting, vinyl siding, windows, roof replacement , unit upgrades, heating system conversion to high-efficiency boilers and new hot water heaters.