New Units May Be Ready Next Spring
By Nina Ritson

The Foundation for Norfolk Living has been working and planning for several years to secure space in which to provide affordable housing in Norfolk.  On March 26, their efforts received a huge boost when Governor Malloy and the Connecticut Department of Housing (DOH) announced funding of up to 3 million dollars to assist in the development of 10 affordable rental units for families in Norfolk.

The Foundation will provide affordable rental units on three sites in the town center. The first site has been committed to the Foundation for Norfolk Living as a gift. This property, consisting of three two-family residences is located at 29-33 Greenwoods Road East. Current tenants in this donated property will remain in place. The Foundation has an option to purchase two additional properties, at 40 and 46 Greenwoods Road West, near the intersection of Shepard Road.

According to Lou Barbagallo, the Foundation’s president, a total of 12 rental units will be created, with 10 of the units classified as affordable rentals for people earning 25 to 80% of the area median income. The plan is to create a mix of predominantly two-bedroom units, with three three-bedroom units and two one-bedroom units. Two of the units will be unrestricted and will be offered for rent at market rate. Depending on when the state funds are disbursed, the new rentals could be available starting next spring. For the new units, and to fill vacancies as they occur, the Foundation is developing a formal selection process consistent with state regulations for affordable housing, with the help of a professional real estate management company.

In announcing the grant, the DOH said “These units will provide much-needed affordable housing in Norfolk and will be within walking distance of the town center. The development will make optimum use of existing developed land while maintaining the character and living environment of the surrounding area. The town center of Norfolk provides a wide range of amenities, so residents will be able to walk to many destinations including the library, restaurants, bank, town hall, the post office, shopping, churches, and Infinity Hall. The units also will be served by the Rural Transit Inter-Regional transportation service, which serves 16 towns in the Northwest area of Connecticut.”

“A lot of people have worked hard on this project,” says Barbagallo, “especially, members of the Foundation’s Board. We are gratified that the state Department of Housing judged our project so worthy as to choose it over many other competing applications for this grant funding.  To say the least, we are overjoyed!”

He stresses, though, that the hard work is just beginning.  “The real work of now actually creating the rental units in a way that will be a credit to Norfolk begins now. In essence we have a ‘new journey’ ahead us for the next 12 to 18 months.  We will have several professional partners to support us, including our consultant, Housing Enterprises Inc., as well as architects, contractors, and a property management firm.” Given the costs of such professional assistance and the costs of renovation and compliance issues, he estimates that the project costs may exceed the state funding. “We anticipate the on-going need to engage in fundraising, especially given the income limits we foresee in our business model in order to keep the units affordable.”