Helping Stamford's Homeless

A Stamford project to create housing for the homeless was one of a number of projects receiving loans approved by the state Bonding Commission last week.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Department of Housing (DOH) Commissioner Evonne Klein announced Friday that $9,555,585 in loans have been approved for the creation or rehabilitation of affordable housing units in small multi-family rental and homeownership developments across the state.

The funding aims to expand affordable housing opportunities by fostering innovative approaches in design, location, construction costs, operating costs, environmental sustainability, affordability, or support services. Developments that could serve as a model and be replicated on a larger scale were especially encouraged.

State Rep. William Tong said in a statement, “I’m very happy that the funding has been approved for this project, which is vital to the well-being of our residents.” Tong added, “Improving our overall housing conditions will strengthen the community and in the long run pay big dividends to all who live in Stamford.”

“We’ve already accomplished more in the past four years on housing than had been done in decades. The question now is, how do we raise the bar again to have a both short and long-run impact? Investments in safe, affordable housing undoubtedly pay long-term dividends, promoting healthier lives, stronger communities, and a more vibrant economy,” Malloy said in a statement. “This financial assistance – encouraging innovation – is a terrific way to ensure the state is meeting the urgent need for more housing options with unique, well-designed, sustainable, and cost-effective units.”

Earlier this week the state bond commission also approved $39.5 million in funding for the preservation and creation of over 1,000 units of housing across the state. Funding commitments by the Malloy administration are at the highest levels since 1989. Total funding, which now exceeds $400 million, is assisting in the preservation and creation of over 7,000 units of housing.

In Stamford, Lighthouse 1 is a Shelter for the Homeless, Inc. project that will involve the renovation of two buildings to create 14 new units of subsidized permanent housing in Stamford for homeless and chronically homeless persons.

There will be eight single rooms with private baths, four one-bedroom units, and two efficiency units in two small multifamily buildings. Both of the buildings are in close proximity to a bus route providing access to Stamford’s multi-modal transportation system. Supportive services will also be available to residents. Two of the units will provide permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless individuals and two additional units will be reserved for homeless veterans.

In addition to DOH’s $1,043,000 investment, the city will contribute $674,000 in Federal HOME and NSP dollars and the Federal Home Loan Bank will provide more than $1.2 million in loans and grants.

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