Cheshire Awarded $1.5M Grant For Housing Rehabilitation

CHESHIRE, CT — Cheshire will receive a $1.5 million grant for the modernization of the Beachport apartments, according to officials.

Gov. Ned Lamont and Connecticut Housing Commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno announced Friday that the state is awarding $13.3 million to 12 municipalities for infrastructure upgrades that will modernize and rehabilitate housing for low and moderate-income individuals.

“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 of our residents,” Lamont said in a statement. “They also create good jobs at good wages that help keep people employed across our state.”

Awarded through the Community Development Block Grant Small Cities program, which is administered by the Connecticut Department of Housing with funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, eligible projects must be in a municipality with fewer than 50,000 residents and have a “focus on improving neighborhoods, eliminating blight, and attracting economic development,” according to a news release.

“These awards will help to improve the lives of our Connecticut neighbors,” Mosquera-Bruno said. “Whether it is helping a family to complete essential renovations on their homes such as repairing a leaking roof, making a public housing living facilities ADA compliant, or improving fire safety or improvements to a waste water treatment facilities, CDBG Small Cities funding is an important program. These funds provide flexibility in our toolbox, allowing us to assist municipalities in leveraging different resources together.”

The project's details are below:

Cheshire – Modernization of Beachport Apartments ($1.5 million): This project will modernize the fire alarm and emergency call-for aid system, allowing all the buildings to be monitored individually and collectively even in the event of loss of power. The system is capable of providing the exact location of the call identifying the building, unit, and room; and the device type that was activated. This information will then available to the fire department and first responders in real time. Additionally, the kitchens in 43 units will be renovated to include the installation of new cabinets and countertops, vented exhaust fans, sinks, faucets, LED lights, and new flooring throughout. The site work and safety measures include replacing sidewalks that have become hazardous to the residents and guests. An additional 15 parking spaces will be created to accommodate the residents, staff in and visitors. Currently, there are only 40 parking spaces for 48 units and 52 residents.