Gov. Malloy Announces $55 Million in Funding to Advance Development of Affordable Housing Across the State

Thirteen Housing Developments in Eleven Towns and Cities Awarded State Funding

HARTFORD, CT – (RealEstateRama) — Governor Dannel P. Malloy, Connecticut Department of Housing (DOH) Commissioner Evonne M. Klein, and Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) Executive Director Karl F. Kilduff today announced that the State of Connecticut is awarding over $55 million in loans and grants, leveraged with significant investments from the private sector, that will help fund 13 affordable housing developments in 11 towns and cities across the state.

“Our administration has prioritized the creation of quality, affordable housing as a key component of our strategy to jumpstart Connecticut’s economy.  Access to housing means more jobs, more revenue, and more business development,” Governor Malloy said.  “These kinds of capital investments are revitalizing the state’s existing stock of affordable housing, while creating new opportunities for private sector investments.  With these awards, we are ensuring our investments will be sustainable for the long term.”

“Housing that’s affordable to Connecticut’s workforce is key to attracting talent and keeping a strong labor pool in the state,” Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman said. “These resources fund projects that meet multiple state goals-improving housing options, making energy efficiency upgrades, and developing strong relationships with our community partners.”

Approximately $35 million of the funding announced today is part of the ten-year, $300 million State-Sponsored Housing Portfolio (SSHP) Revitalization Initiative, while the remaining $20 million is part of the ninth round of the Competitive Housing Assistance for Multifamily Properties (CHAMP) program.  The initiatives are administered in part by both DOH and CHFA.

SSHP funds the rehabilitation and redevelopment of the state’s affordable housing portfolio containing more than 340 properties.  Rehabilitation of these units will benefit more than 14,000 people.

The CHAMP funding round offers low-interest loans as an incentive to spark private development in affordable housing.  This kind of affordable housing ensures that our state’s lowest income residents will continue to have access to a stable living environment in both urban and non-urban areas.

“Under Governor Malloy’s leadership, we have spearheaded the rapid creation and redevelopment of affordable housing across the state,” DOH Commissioner Klein said.  “Ensuring access to quality, safe, and affordable housing for Connecticut residents is good for the economy, good for local businesses, and it adds vibrancy to our communities.”

CHFA Executive Director Kilduff said, “CHFA works with all the properties in the SSHP before, during and after renovations.  Each day, we see the remarkable results of these investments, both in the transformation of properties and in the comfort and quality of life for the residents.”

The SSHP project financing will be distributed among the following projects and will preserve 539 affordable rental units for the elderly, younger persons with disabilities, and families:

2016 SSHP AWARDS

• Hartford: Rose Garden Limited Equity Cooperative – $1,270,692: Rose Garden is an eight-unit limited equity cooperative.  DOH will provide up to $1,270,692 to 427 Rose Garden Cooperative, Inc.  This award will fund new furnaces, water heaters, kitchen counters, sink replacement, exterior doors & window replacement, interior door and hardware replacement, painting, lighting, repaving, vinyl siding.  This project leverages $20,000 in energy rebates.
• Manchester: Westhill Gardens Congregate – $3,603,000: Westhill Gardens, a 37-unit state congregate housing development owned by the Housing Authority of the Town of Manchester, is receiving approximately $3,603,000 in DOH funding for renovations.  The work will include the replacement of asphalt paved roadways and surface parking areas and sidewalks, replacement of roofing and hot water boilers, completion of ongoing heating and cooling improvements, replacement of the original zone type fire alarm control panel, replacement of vinyl flooring, and improvements of visual flashing signs in common areas, the intercom panel, and other needed modifications to bathroom and public laundry fixtures to ensure compliance with handicap accessibility standards.  This project leverages approximately $114,000 in energy rebates.
• Meriden: Yale Acres – $5,700,000: Yale Acres is an existing 162-unit moderate income rental development.  DOH will provide approximately $5,700,000 to Maynard Road Corporation, an affiliate of the Meriden Housing Authority.  The rehabilitation includes substantial rehabilitation of 154 of the existing units, and the reconstruction of eight units. Financing includes $13.4 million in Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) proceeds and a $23.3 million mortgage from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
• Norwalk: Ludlow Commons Congregate – $3,407,000: Ludlow Commons, a 44-unit state congregate housing development owned by the Housing Authority of the City of Norwalk, will receive approximately $4,385,000 from DOH for renovations. The work will include new Energy Star windows, hallway flooring, common area ADA bathroom upgrades, elevator upgrades, fire alarm system upgrades, unit upgrades including ADA walk in showers (6 units), ADA accessories and exhaust fans (44 units), kitchen cabinet replacement, unit flooring replacement, unit painting, laundry room upgrades, interior and exterior LED lighting, new asphalt paved roadway/parking area.  This project leverages approximately $42,000 in energy rebates and $100,000 of owner reserves.
• Norwalk: The Marvin – $3,547,000: The Marvin is a congregate housing facility for elderly residents with 49 one-bedroom units.  DOH will provide approximately $3,547,000 to assist the owner, 60 Gregory Blvd LP, with the rehabilitation of the property.  Rehabilitation will include upgraded walkways, entries and rear patio access areas as well as upgrading to energy efficient mechanical systems, window replacements, elevator upgrades, and site lighting upgrades. This project leverages $54,000 in energy rebates and $210,000 of owner reserves.
• Shelton: Helen DeVaux – $3,314,000: Helen DeVaux Apartments, a 40-unit elderly housing development owned by the Housing Authority of the City of Shelton, will receive approximately $3,314,000 of DOH funding.  This will be used for roof replacement, ADA upgrades to the community room and apartments, kitchen and bath upgrades, driveway resurfacing, vinyl siding and electrical upgrades.  This project leverages approximately $25,000 in energy rebates and an $800,000 Community Development Block Grant.
• Stamford: Lawnhill Terrace – $4,600,000: Lawn Hill Terrace is a 204-unit development, owned by Charter Oak Communities (formerly known as the Stamford Housing Authority).  DOH funding of approximately $4,600,000 million will cover renovations to 60 units, including new kitchen and baths, heating systems and exterior work.   Of the 60 units, six will be handicapped accessible.  This is the second phase of a multi-phase renovation of Lawn Hill Terrace.  This project leverages $8.3 million in LIHTC proceeds, $11.2 million of bonds issued by Charter Oak Communities, and $6.4 million will be provided by the City of Stamford and affiliated entities of the housing authority.
• Willimantic: Eastman Curran Terrace – $4,867,000: Marcella Eastman Curran Terrace is a moderate rental development consisting of 78 family units within 44 individual buildings.  DOH will provide approximately $4,867,000 to the Housing Authority of the City of Willimantic to make improvements to the building exterior envelopes, including roofing, siding, windows and site work along with unit interior renovations to create handicapped accessible units. This project leverages $161,000 in energy rebates.
• Windsor: Millbrook Village – $4,385,000: Millbrook Village is a 60-unit elderly housing development owned by the Housing Authority of the Town of Windsor. DOH will provide approximately $3,407,000 for the conversion of five efficiency units to 1-bedroom units, repaving the existing parking lot, community room upgrades including a new generator, replacement of electrical panels in units, replacement of walkways, installation of new roofing, gutters and leaders, vinyl siding, energy-star windows, removal and infill of all thru-wall AC sleeves, upgrades to site and unit lighting with LED, replacement of water heaters, replacement of Fire Alarm & Call for Aid system, new kitchen cabinets, bathroom upgrades, unit flooring upgrades and unit painting.  This project leverages approximately $55,000 in energy rebates and $100,000 of owner reserves.

The ninth round of financing under the CHAMP project that was announced today will be distributed among the following projects:

CHAMP 9 AWARDS

• Glastonbury: Center Village – $6,500,000: DOH will provide up to $6,500,000 to Glastonbury Housing Authority to assist in the redevelopment of Center Village in Glastonbury Town Center.  The new Center Village will have 72 units of affordable housing, including the full rehabilitation of 34 units of existing housing, while creating 38 new units through the construction of a three-story modern building.  The rehabilitated units will include the construction of bedroom additions to convert what are currently small efficiency units into 1-bedroom apartments.  Center Village is located adjacent to the Fox Run Mall and in close proximity to numerous banks, restaurants, the library, and other town services.
• Hamden: Westwoods Place – $6,500,000: DOH will provide up to $6,500,000 to assist in the construction of Westwoods Place, a 50 unit mixed-income rental housing development at 55 West Woods Road in Hamden.  Of the 50 units being constructed, 34 units will be reserved as affordable housing.  This development is located within convenient walking distance to Quinnipiac University, the town’s largest employer.  Westwoods Place’s focus is on attracting employees of the University and the Quinnipiac Law and Medical Schools.  The site is also adjacent to the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail, providing both recreational opportunities as well as bicycle access to employment and shopping.
• New Canaan: Millport Phase II – $5,100,000: DOH will provide up to $5,100,000 to the Housing Authority of the Town of New Canaan to assist in the construction of the Millport Phase II development.  The project will replace 18 units of aging federal public housing units with 30 new units of family housing.  Millport Phase II is adjacent to Millport Phase I, which is currently under construction.   Together these two developments will provide 63 units of affordable family housing in Fairfield County.  A park, elementary school, and playground are all located within a very short walking distance of the site and located approximately 1/2-mile from New Canaan’s vibrant downtown. The downtown area includes grocery stores, banks, pharmacies, a post office, a library, and many other daily conveniences, providing both employment and commercial opportunities.
• Willimantic: Murray Building – $2,570,000: DOH will provide up to $2,570,000 to the Northeastern Connecticut Development Corporation, Inc. (NCCDC) to assist in the rehabilitation of the historic Murray Building on Main Street in Willimantic.  This historic rehabilitation will create 20 apartments as well as ground floor retail space in Willimantic’s walkable downtown.  Seventeen of the 20 units will be reserved as affordable housing.  The Murray Building was built by Hugh Clark Murray to house his “Boston Store” in 1894.  Later, the building was the longtime home of Hurley’s’ Men’s Shop.  699 Main Street’s rehabilitation will also be supported by The Savings Institute, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, and State Historic Preservation Tax Credits which are administered by the Department of Economic and Community Development.  Hugh Clark Murray served for many years as president of the Willimantic Savings Institute, whose successor bank is now funding the rebirth of this property.