CCEH Applauds Malloy’s Historic Affordable Housing Investment
For the first time in decades, the State of Connecticut is making a historic investment in revitalizing over 14,000 units of public housing. In addition, the Governor has proposed funding for 150 additional rental assistance certificates for scattered site supportive housing.
“Updating the state’s housing portfolio will help to bring market pressures to bear to make housing more affordable…and not only for public housing residents, but for entire neighborhoods”, says Carol Walter, Executive Director of the Coalition. “This is a pivotal time for Connecticut, as we desperately need the jobs that this investment would create.”
It is estimated that this proposal may yield some 6,700 construction, trade and related service jobs. Some individuals in emergency shelter are unemployed or underemployed construction workers. “This measure could help to stabilize household income, which means putting some folks back to work and potentially preventing some families living on the edge from becoming homeless” Walter states. The economic downturn has led to significant job losses in Connecticut, particularly among construction and service workers.
“The Governor is putting a down payment on economic vitality in our communities. Now its up to mayors, business people, public housing authorities and community leaders to maximize these investments and creatively finance them to get the lowest possible cost per unit so that this has the greatest impact,” Walter adds, “what happens on the ground is critical.” The Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness intends to work with community plans to end homelessness to ensure that state investments are targeted wisely and brought on-line as quickly as possible.
The reorganization of housing assistance programs within the new State Office of Housing within DECD is intended to streamline and coordinate such services. Rental assistance, emergency and domestic violence shelters, Residences for Persons with AIDS and others would be consolidated. CCEH will work with the administration to make sure that this goes smoothly and results in a housing-based system response to homelessness in Connecticut.