Six Small Cities to Receive Total of $9 Million in State Grants Using Federal Funds

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The State of Connecticut is awarding $9 million in grants to six municipalities for infrastructure upgrades aimed at modernizing and rehabilitating housing for low and moderate-income individuals.  The funds, awarded through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Small Cities program, will bring $1.5 million to Ansonia, Essex, North Haven, Shelton, Wallingford, and Westbrook.

The fund, administered by the Connecticut Department of Housing, is only available to Connecticut towns and cities with populations of less than 50,000, and utilizes funds provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under the guidelines of Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act.

Eligible Activities must meet one of the following CDBG program National Objectives:

  • Benefitting Low-and Moderate-Income families;

  • Aiding in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight;

  • Activities designed to alleviate existing conditions that pose a serious and immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community.

“These grants go a long way toward improving neighborhoods so that we can make our communities more attractive and encourage continued growth for the benefit of all our residents,” Governor Lamont said, in making the announcement with Connecticut Housing Commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno.

“These awards will help the quality of life for Connecticut residents in our state-sponsored housing portfolio,” Commissioner Mosquera-Bruno said. “These properties serve households with some of the greatest needs. The Connecticut Department of Housing and the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority have begun working with intent to address our portfolio while leveraging the CDBG Small Cities funding. These federal funds give us flexibility, allowing us to assist municipalities while leveraging different resources together.”

According to the department of Housing’s 2021 Application Handbook, prior to application submission, applicants must develop a Citizen Participation Plan and conduct the first of two required public hearings. Eligible projects, In general must either “benefit an area or clientele whose population is at least 51% low- and moderate-income; or aid in prevention or elimination of slums or blight.”

The recipients of this round of CDBG Small Cities grants, as described by state officials:

  • Ansonia – Modernization at James J. O’Donnell Elderly Housing Complex ($1,500,000): This project at the James J. O’Donnell Elderly Housing Complex has the goal of making health and safety improvements to this state-sponsored housing portfolio property. Renovations include elevator replacement, generator replacement, replacement of interior and exterior doors, windows, roofing, unit heater replacement, and interior and exterior common area lighting.

  • Essex – Improvements at Essex Court ($1,500,000): Essex Court will engage in ADA accessibility for the community room, laundry room, and the creation of full accessibility for several identified units on the campus. Additional repairs include roof replacements throughout, installation of heat pumps and water heaters, storm doors with ADA hardware, and LED lighting throughout. In order to maintain the community way of life at Essex Court, a roofed patio will be installed to encourage gatherings while maintaining social distancing. Also, a full campus backup generator will be installed to service all units in the event of an emergency.

  • North Haven – Improvements at Temple Pines ($1,500,000): This project at Temple Pines Senior Living Complex will undertake significant renovations to include, but not limited to, the replacement of the building elevator, replacement of the fire alarm system, and installation of a security camera system. This project will also meet ADA code compliance by renovating the kitchens and bathrooms of three units. Further upgrades meeting accessibility code compliance to common areas to the front entry, laundry, bathrooms, office entry door, and the community room. Energy efficiency improvements throughout will include window replacements, installation of LED interior lighting, and a new trash compactor. This project also includes the installation of a whole campus generator supplying power to all units in the event of an emergency.

  • Shelton – Modernization at Sinsabaugh Heights ($1,500,000): The Shelton Housing Authority will coordinate and implement this final phase in the renovations at Sinsabaugh Heights I & II. Having received prior funding, this grant will prepare the campus to sustain itself for several years to come. Renovations will include the removal and Installation of 88 storm doors in Sinsabaugh I & II, installation of 27 PTAC HVAC units in Sinsabaugh II, and the installation of a state-of-the-art fire alarm system in Sinsabaugh II.

  • Wallingford – Renovations at Ulbrich Heights ($1,500,000): The Wallingford Housing Authority will undertake significant upgrades incorporating a holistic approach to these renovations utilizing CDBG, state funds, and other local sources. The Small Cities grant will address ADA code compliance upgrades to 48 units, featuring new bathrooms and fixtures, LED lighting, and new windows. Also included is the replacement and installation of seven sewer laterals servicing the Ulbrich Heights apartments. Additionally, based on remaining and/or available funding and the need for enhanced energy efficiency onsite, the buildings will be outfitted with a new thermal envelope and installation of new exterior vinyl siding. Other identified units with deficient kitchens and bathrooms will be upgraded, thereby allowing residents to age-in-place. The garden-style apartments will also see upgrades to bathrooms and kitchens, and exterior doors and locks will be replaced throughout.

  • Westbrook – Modernization of Worthington Manor ($1,500,000): This project at Worthington Manor will make health and safety improvements to this state-sponsored housing portfolio property. Renovations will include significant upgrades to the building envelope of this two-story complex. Replacements also include new roofing and gutters system, new vinyl siding, and new triple pane windows for all units. Automatic door openers will also be installed at main entry and vestibule. New vinyl plank flooring will be installed throughout, replacing dated and unsafe carpeting. The HVAC mechanical system will be replaced and upgraded. Tactile warning strips will be installed at transition points from sidewalks to the driveway and parking area to assist visually impaired residents on this campus.

Applications were due to the state Department of Housing (DOH)  in June; grant recipients were announced this month. DOH officials held a workshop for municipal officials in April. Since the state took over the administration of the CDBG program in 1982, according to the DOH website, over $325,700,000 has been invested in Connecticut communities.