Hello colleagues,  

As we all know, housing and economic development are intricately tied.  I see many threads about the need to construct new and affordable housing and those discussions must continue to be a focus. However, I do not see the same sense of urgency in CT or across the nation about reinvesting in our existing, and in many areas - aging, housing stock. The resources devoted to low and moderate income households for housing rehabilitation are completely inadequate for the extent of the problem. Federal CDBG and USDA allocations barely scratch the surface of need. Only a fraction of communities even have a housing rehab program and those programs often have substantial waiting lists. The requirements through the CDBG program can be onerous. The work of qualifying homeowners, drafting specs, finding quality contractors willing to work on smaller projects, remediating for lead paint, and conducting inspections can be difficult - but still critical. CT DOH is now focusing Small Cities CDBG on public housing modernization which is important but does not address housing rehab of 1 to 3 unit structures.  Housing rehab is absolutely necessary for sustainability - "The greenest building is the one already built." Housing rehab is necessary for neighborhood stability. I believe we need a statewide and national conversation about adequately funding housing rehab through government and private sources and how we can scale programs to meet the substantial need.  

I'd appreciate it if you would let me know if your municipality has a housing rehab program and who are the appropriate contacts.  If you do not have a formal program, do you see housing rehab as a particular unmet need?  

A little background on this request for information.  Windsor has had a housing rehabilitation program for forty years. We have funded it through program income, and on occasion, a new allocation of Small Cities funds.  However, we have been unsuccessful in securing new CDGB funds in the last decade for this purpose and we are running low on program income.   

Also, for many years, there was a Connecticut Community Development Association but it has gone defunct.  It seems like such an organization would be more important than ever.  I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on that.  

Thanks in advance for any information that you can provide.

Patrick

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