May 21, 2013
Praising a new housing initiative, state Representatives Henry Genga, Timothy Larson and Jason Rojas said Tuesday that the East Hartford Housing Authority is in line to receive $2 million in state funding to acquire, rehabilitate and redevelop blighted housing.
“I am thrilled that East Hartford will receive funds to improve the livability and reinvigorate neighborhoods throughout our community for some of our neediest residents,” Genga (D-East Hartford) said. “Projects like these, which will develop workforce housing, and provide energy efficiency rehabilitation assistance and down payment assistance to home owners, are fundamental to the town’s economic and community development needs.”
“As a former mayor and now legislator for East Hartford, I have cared deeply for many years about improving affordable housing in our town,” Larson said. “Hopefully, this money will be used very judiciously to benefit the residents of East Hartford and improve the town.”
“This is a wise investment in existing infrastructure and helps to sustain much critically needed affordable housing,” said Rojas (D-East Hartford, Manchester) said. “East Hartford has long been highly regarded for its affordability, location and quality life. A large percentage of our housing stock is five and six decades old and investments like this will go a long way to improving the lives of residents and the aesthetics of our community.”
The East Hartford project is part of a $13.8 million state initiative announced by Governor Dannel P. Malloy to fund 11 affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization programs throughout the state.
The projects represent partnerships between state and local government, as well as nonprofit groups, and will leverage private and federal funds to rehabilitate blighted housing, construct new units and make improvements to existing properties. Once completed, properties will remain in the housing authority portfolio and will be supported by housing authority Section 8 Project Based Vouchers.
“Working with our municipal and nonprofit partners, we are building strong neighborhoods that will attract businesses, create jobs, and offer residents an attractive place to work and live,” said Governor Malloy. “Over ten years we’ll make a $500 million commitment to housing—and I’ve proposed an additional $221 million in capital funds in this biennial budget. These investments will bolster economic development and make Connecticut more a more competitive state.”