May 3, 2004

REP. DILLON DELIVERS $980,000 IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING AID
FOR NEW HAVEN ARTISTS

State Representative Patricia Dillon (D-New Haven) is pleased to announce a sizeable portion of state aid is on the way for the rehabilitation of properties located in the Artists Lofts project (ARLO) in the Westville section of New Haven.

The State Bonding Commission, in its Friday, April 30, meeting, approved Rep. Dillon’s request for $980,000 in bonding monies. The state aid will help rehabilitate residential units occupied by families whose incomes are at or below 50% and 60% of the median income.

The bonding monies will be allocated for the rehabilitation of nine residential units in existing mixed use buildings on three different sites.

"This is significant state aid for much-needed rehabilitation of the Artist Lofts residential units," Rep. Dillon said. "As a consistent advocate of the necessity of affordable housing programs, such as ARLO, that protect the well-being of artists and their families, I am confident these vital funds will be instrumental in preserving these residential properties in New Haven."

Rep. Dillon, upon learning that several families were at risk of losing their homes without the vital state aid, stepped up her efforts to earn the Bonding Commission’s support for her request.

"I am thrilled about the cultural revival and palpable energy growing out of the Westville section in New Haven, which has developed, in large part, from a community building project," Rep. Dillon said.

State Representative Patricia Dillon was first elected to the General Assembly in 1984. She is Deputy Majority Whip and serves on the Public Health, Appropriations and Judiciary Committees. Rep. Dillon is House chair of the Health and Hospitals Subcommittee on Appropriations.