December 16, 2011

REP. BUTLER PLEASED STATE BOND COMMISSION
FUNDING WATERBURY HOUSING EXPANSION
Waterbury Neighborhood Housing Services in line for new units

State Representative Larry B. Butler (D-Waterbury) is pleased the State Bond Commission approved funding for housing expansion in Waterbury. The Neighborhood Housing Services of Waterbury (NHS) received an allocation of $1,380,000 at the commission meeting today.

“Gov. Malloy has shown a real commitment with the money he put in the budget for affordable housing and Speaker Donovan has helped me bring some of those funds to Waterbury for some much needed housing,” said Rep. Butler, the House Chair of the Legislature’s Housing Committee. “The expanded housing will help with the revitalization of the neighborhood near the new Jonathan Reed School and PAL.”

Specifically, the state grant-in-aid will be used to construct 10 three-bedroom rental units on a vacant lot at 885 North Main Street in Waterbury. The units will be targeted to renters at 25-50% of area median income. This project will create or retain approximately 31 construction related jobs.

“I can’t thank Rep. Butler enough for going to bat for us,” said NHS Executive Director Owen Quinn. “This funding is the last piece we needed to provide quality homes for young families in the north end of Waterbury. The project will establish a safe neighborhood while redeveloping an urban area of Waterbury.”

The total estimated project cost is $2.4 million, with an additional $500,000 coming from the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority tax credit and $500,000 from City of Waterbury HOME Funds.

Rep. Butler is in his 3rd term serving the 72nd House District in Waterbury.