April 10, 2014

GOV. MALLOY: GRANTS AWARDED TO BUILD SUPPORTIVE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS IN BRIDGEPORT, HAMDEN, HARTFORD & MANCHESTER

$27.9 Million Investment Will Provide Housing for Veterans and At-Risk Families

(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that $27.9 million in grants have been approved to build four new supportive, affordable multifamily housing developments in Bridgeport, Hamden, Hartford and Manchester.

The new developments will have a total of 93 affordable rental homes, with 51 apartments set aside for veterans and child welfare-involved families who are currently homeless, at risk of being homeless, or chronically homeless. The grants were approved by the Interagency Committee on Supportive Housing (ICSH) under the state's Permanent Supportive Housing Initiative (PSHI).

"Supportive housing is a vital component of creating stability and a strong economic base for individuals and families in need of additional support," said Governor Malloy. "These homes are a proven way to end long-term homelessness. When we invest in housing, we invest in people, in stable neighborhoods and communities, and in our economic future."

Supportive housing apartments are affordable rental homes that include support services ranging from counseling to transportation, depending on each individual's needs.

"Supportive housing allows families and individuals to leave the chaos of homelessness behind and live in a place that will improve their quality of life and provide opportunities for them to become more productive citizens," said Anne Foley, Under Secretary of the Office of Policy & Management and a member of the ICSH. "The families with school-age children will be able to attend school regularly, which is not always possible for homeless families."

The application process for PSHI grants is competitive. To be eligible, a development must have a minimum of 10 new apartments, either new construction or rehabilitation of existing units that were not fit to be occupied. Grant recipients may also apply for tax credits and other funding to leverage the PSHI funds.

The ICSH is a unique collaboration of public and private organizations that includes the Office of Policy and Management, the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, the Department of Housing, the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the Department of Social Services, the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Correction, the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Branch, and the Corporation for Supportive Housing.

The 2014 PSHI Award recipients are:

Milestone at Stratford Avenue, Bridgeport
Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust, Inc. will receive $8.7 million for new construction of a development to contain 30 units of supportive and affordable apartments. Eight apartments will be set aside for veterans ineligible for HUD-VASH and two apartments will be set aside for youth aging out of foster care. Milestone at Stratford Avenue is expected to contain a grocery store on the ground level and the apartments above will all be affordable to households with incomes up to 80% of AMI.

"The threat of homelessness looming over a family damages their ability to raise children and advance themselves economically," said State Senator Andres Ayala (D-Bridgeport, Stratford). "Thank you to Governor Malloy for this important investment in Bridgeport's Milestone at Stratford Avenue and other supportive housing facilities around the state. This grant will allow Milestone to provide additional support to families, children, and veterans who find themselves homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, allowing themselves to feel secure in their living situation and work to become self-sufficient and productive members of our community."

"Providing access to housing is critical to the economic security of our neighbors and our community," said State Senator Anthony Musto (D-Bridgeport). "Families with a steady home develop a stake in the communities where they live, supporting local businesses and sending their children to local schools. I am thrilled that more families in Bridgeport will have these opportunities."

Bridgeport's House delegation of State Representatives Charles Clemons, Auden Grogins, Christina Ayala, Jack Hennessy, Ezequiel Santiago, and Charlie Stallworth applauded the announcement. "The availability of affordable housing is one of the most significant contributors to stable communities and future academic and social success for youths," the House delegation said in a joint statement. "We thank Governor Malloy for recognizing the dire need for housing options in this struggling economy, especially for our veterans, and look forward to breaking ground on these new projects."

Sanford Commons, Hamden
New Haven Home Recovery, will receive $7.6 million in PSHI Conditional Grant funding. The new building will have a total of 33 apartments, with 10 apartments set aside for chronically homeless individuals, including Veterans ineligible for VASH, and six units for young adults aging out of foster care. Sanford Commons will be handicap accessible, and 16 apartments will be affordable to households with incomes up to 50% of AMI, with 17 units affordable to households with incomes of between 50 and 80% of AMI.

"Sanford Commons will help Hamden continue its efforts to battle homelessness in our community," said State Senator Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. (D-Woodbridge). "I want to thank the Governor for recognizing the importance of addressing chronic homeless in our cities and towns, especially his focus on aiding our homeless veterans."

Liberty Gardens, Hartford
Chrysalis Center Real Estate Corporation will receive a grant of $4 million to rehabilitate a vacant historic apartment building. The building will include 10 apartments for child-welfare involved families as well as related office space and family activity rooms on the first floor. All units are affordable to families with incomes of 25% to 50% of AMI. The development is located on a bus line providing access to transportation. An additional $400,000 in financing is provided by the City of Hartford HOME funds.

The Hartford delegation of the Connecticut House of Representatives, which includes State Representatives Angel Arce, Minnie Gonzalez, Douglas McCrory, Brandon McGee, Matthew Ritter and Edwin Vargas released a joint statement on the project, stating, "This is great news for Hartford families who are struggling and really have no options left and we thank the Governor for recognizing this need. Chronic homelessness is rampant in our cities but supportive housing is unique because these families will not only receive a roof over their heads, but will have access to counseling and stabilizing services for kids who need additional academic and social support. There is a need for more affordable housing options in Hartford, and this project is a step closer to providing families that seek affordable housing with additional options."

Center Street Apartments II, Manchester
CHR Capital Inc. will receive $ 7.6 million in PSHI Conditional Grant funding. The new apartments will be built next to the Center Street Apartments, also owned and operated by CHR. Center Street II will have 10 units of supportive housing: two units for adults with special needs, three units for Veterans ineligible for HUD-Veterans Affairs for Supportive Housing (VASH) vouchers, and five units for child-welfare involved families. The first floor of the building will have office space for CHR and all units are affordable to households making up to 80% of Area Median Income (AMI).

"This is a vitally needed and very important investment in Manchester," said State Senator Steve Cassano (D-Manchester). "Having appropriate housing and the supportive services necessary to allow people to progress is very exciting."

Manchester's House delegation of State Representatives Joe Diminico, Timothy Larson, Geoff Luxenberg, and Jason Rojas praised the announcement. "The concept of supportive housing, which includes support services such counseling and transportation for veterans and others in need, is a program that is immensely effective and needs to be expanded throughout the state. It is one of the best ways to prevent people from becoming homeless and have them living and participating in the community as well as bettering their lives," the delegation said in a joint statement.

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For Immediate Release: April 10, 2014

Facebook: Office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy