Gov. Malloy Announces Awards to Support Affordable Housing Development Across the State

HARTFORD, CT – (RealEstateRama) — Governor Dannel P. Malloy and Connecticut Department of Housing (DOH) Commissioner Evonne M. Klein today announced that nearly $28 million is being awarded to support the development of affordable housing across Connecticut as part of the latest round of funding under the state’s Competitive Housing Assistance for Multifamily Properties (CHAMP) program.

  These awards will play a role in helping to create, rehabilitate, or preserve approximately 200 units of affordable housing and focus on expanding access to transit-oriented development, creating new veteran’s housing units, and adding supportive housing for those who are living with disabilities.

“Affordable housing is key to creating vibrant communities that attract families, workers, businesses, and private investments.  Access to housing helps boost competitiveness, attracts business, and builds our economy.  That’s why our administration has been so committed to making these critical investments,” Governor Malloy said.

“State government must be a strong partner in efforts to expand housing options – our business climate and our communities depend on it,” Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman said.  “I applaud Governor Malloy and Commissioner Klein on these investments in our cities and towns.”

CHAMP, administered by DOH, provides developers and owners of multifamily affordable housing the necessary gap financing to create more affordable units in their developments.

“Affordable housing is a key component of economic growth and stability,” Commissioner Klein said.  “These investments throughout the state ensure Connecticut’s continued economic recovery and the ability to remain an attractive state to call home, work, and raise a family.  The CHAMP funding rounds provide an excellent opportunity for municipalities to attract a workforce, keep seniors in their community, give young families a start, and provide a home to someone who has been homeless.  I am proud to say that we have made real progress when it comes to expanding access to affordable housing, while working to prevent and end homelessness.”

Since 2011, the state has created, rehabilitated, or preserved 7,584 affordable housing units.  There are another 3,179 affordable units under construction, and funding commitments are in place to create approximately 5,200 additional affordable units.  The state’s investment in affordable housing totals about $1 billion dollars – a testament to the high level of commitment that is being made to prevent and end homelessness, while ensuring every resident has a place to call home.

The CHAMP recipients announced today are as follows:

• Greenwich, Armstrong Court Apartments: DOH will provide up to $3,422,338 to the Housing Authority of the Town of Greenwich to assist in the new construction of 18 units of affordable family housing on an undeveloped portion of the existing Armstrong Court Apartments site.  The project is the first phase of the housing authority’s plan to revitalize the existing Armstrong Court development which was originally built in 1951.  The new units will be townhouse-style apartments in 6 buildings and will comprise six 2-bedroom and twelve 3-bedroom units.
• Hamden, Hamden Specialty Housing: DOH will provide up to $9,247,118 to Hamden Specialty Housing, LLC for the development of two adjacent projects at 415 Mather Street in Hamden.  The development will include the construction of a total of 77 new affordable housing units on what is currently a 4.8 acre site on the Dixwell Avenue corridor.  Seven of the units will be supportive housing for veterans or other tenants at-risk for homelessness, with services provided by Columbus House of New Haven.  An additional 14 units at the development will be set aside for people living with physical and cognitive disabilities and needing support services coordinated by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, with a goal of transitioning persons living with MS from nursing facilities to their own home as part of Connecticut’s Money Follows the Person program.  This development will be located near transit opportunities, employment centers, shopping, and other services.
• Meriden, Hanover Place: DOH will provide up to $1,646,879 to Maynard Road Corporation for the Hanover Place project.  The proposed development will consist of new construction of 9 rental housing units for veterans.  The property is in close proximity to Meriden’s transit district and is within walking distance of many local amenities including government offices, banking, and shopping opportunities.  Hanover Place will include full supportive services for veteran families with disabilities and special needs in an effort to help those at the greatest risk of homelessness. The project will receive Federal VASH rental subsidies and services earmarked for veterans.  The design will include many green features, including photovoltaic panels and a geothermal heat source.
• New Britain, Columbus Commons: DOH will provide up to $1,976,000 to Tunxis Road Associates, LLC for the Columbus Commons project.  The project will consist of the construction of 14 townhouse rental units in two buildings on a currently underutilized property on a main city thoroughfare.  The site has easy access to highways and is a short distance to the CTfastrak Downtown New Britain station, governmental offices, shopping opportunities, and other amenities.    The project will serve a range of incomes and will also include market rate units to ensure a vibrant mixed-income development.
• New Britain, North Street Apartments: DOH will provide up to $2,145,000 to the Friendship Service Center, Inc., to assist in the construction of 11 efficiency and one-bedroom apartments in a three-story building on North Street in New Britain.   The Friendship Service Center will prioritize renting to chronically homeless individuals and maintain a preference for veterans for two units.  Tenants will be able to receive supportive housing services through the Friendship Service Center.  The site is within walking distance to the CTfastrak Downtown New Britain station as well as the CT Transit bus system.  The City of New Britain has committed construction financing of over $250,000 and the project is also supported by The American Savings Foundation.
• New London, Saint Mary’s Place: DOH will provide up to $2,750,000 to The Connection Fund, Inc. to assist in the rehabilitation and conversion of the historic St. Mary Star of the Sea elementary school in the heart of New London into 20 units of affordable rental housing.  The rehabilitation activities will preserve the building’s historic character.  The project is within walking distance of many New London amenities, including transit, shopping, restaurants, employment centers, and medical facilities.
• Norwalk, SoNo Life Center: DOH will provide up to $1,740,484 to assist in the conversion of an abandoned historic industrial building into the SoNo Life Center, a mixed-use community services center providing 16 units of permanent supportive housing, together with a medical clinic and job training center.  When completed, the SoNo Life Center will bring together permanent supportive housing with accessible medical, mental health, outpatient addition treatment and job training to address the most pressing needs of the chronically homeless under one roof.  The property is located within a short walking distance of community amenities, including public transit, a post office, medical facilities, and shopping.
• Suffield, The Hamlet on East South Street: DOH will provide up to $5,000,000 to Dakota Partners, Inc., to assist in the development of the Hamlet on East South Street project, which will include the construction of 36 family units in 3 new garden style buildings in Suffield.  All of the units will be affordable at various income levels to ensure that there is a mix of incomes.  The property is near shopping areas and has easy access to Interstate 91.

Source: Governor Dannel P. Malloy