Affordability for a century
By Patricia Daddona
Published: 10/15/09 (Also see BROM info)
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| Matt Mastronunzio of BROM Builders positions shovels for a groundbreaking Wednesday for the Summitwoods II affordable housing development in Norwich. Photo credit: Sean D. Elliot, The Day. |
New Norwich housing chips away at area's need.
Norwich - At least 131 years.
That's how long a 22-unit housing complex now being built at 15 Mopsic Court is planned to remain affordable - through the year 2141.
Developers and public officials broke ground Wednesday on the $5.9 million "Summitwoods II," which low- and moderate-income families will occupy by the end of 2010.
The 131-year requirement is a condition set by the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, the state agency administering $3.8 million in federal stimulus funds for the project, said Joseph Mastronunzio, president and general manager of BROM Builders Inc. of Norwich. The goal is affordability in perpetuity he said.
"This is my first groundbreaking," said Jane Dauphinais, director of the Southeastern Connecticut Housing Alliance, who was named to her position more than two years ago as the region began an extra effort to address the lack of affordable housing.
Dauphinais has been working with 11 developers from eight towns on potential projects with an affordable-housing component, she said after the ceremony.
"Then the recession hit," she said, and those projects either faded away or are on hold. The exceptions are Summitwoods II and the Thread Mill project in Pawcatuck, which has an affordable-housing component but has not yet broken ground, she said.
But New London County needs an estimated 2,500 rental units, Dauphinais said, according to four separate regional studies, with as many as possible "affordable."
"How are we doing?" she asked the crowd. "So far, we have lost 1,000" - mostly to condominium conversions.
"The tremendous need for more affordable housing in our region has been somewhat tempered by job losses," Mastronunzio added, "but it still exists. In fact, the need for quality apartments serving some of the poorest families has increased with the recession."
Once considered a matter of social justice, affordable housing has become a critical economic issue in southeastern Connecticut, Dauphinais said.
"Since 2000, home prices in New London County have risen 130 percent, while incomes have risen only 21 percent," she said. "Rents haven't declined at all. If our work force cannot live affordability, they will leave. They have choices."
In addition to the federal funding, Summitwoods II is using $2 million in state money from the Housing Trust Fund, which is dedicated to affordable housing, said Jim Watson, a spokesman for the state Department of Economic and Community Development.
Another $150,000 in owner equity is being provided, Watson said.
The new project is next to Summitwoods, which BROM Builders built in 1991, and close to public transportation, shopping and outdoor recreation areas. Summitwoods II is Hartford-based nonprofit Sheldon Oak Central's first joint venture with BROM Builders, but Sheldon Oak Central has an affordable-housing portfolio of more than 700 units.
The three-bedroom apartments will average 1,350 square feet and will be available to working families of four making 25 percent to 60 percent of the area's median income.
Twelve of those apartments would rent for less than $875 a month to families earning less than $48,300 a year. Four would rent for less than $725 to families earning less than $40,250 a year. The remaining six would rent for less than $250 to families earning less than $20,125 annually, Mastronunzio said.
Summitwoods II will also be energy-efficient, said Jeff Brining, energy service division manager for Norwich Public Utilities.
"We work with developers who 'get it,'" said Brining.
State Sen. Edith Prague, D-Columbia, and Norwich Alderman Mark Bettencourt were also on hand.
"Things don't happen unless we have partnerships," said Beverly Goulet, director of Norwich Human Services. "My staff, the number one trauma for them is their clients' housing situation, and I tell you, this is going to make a difference in people's lives."
Reprinted with permission by The Day.
October 26, 2009