CHFA HOLDS HOUSING INFO SESSION AT CITY HALL

CHFA home ownership programs available to city employees

On September 17th, Judith Walter, the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority's (CHFA) marketing officer, visited Norwalk City Hall to provide information to city employees regarding CHFA home ownership programs. Information was disseminated regarding the newly adopted UR Home ordinance that will allow employees to take advantage of the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority's UR Home housing rehabilitation program in Norwalk. The program enables the City to encourage home ownership and housing rehabilitation in Norwalk's urban neighborhoods by providing a five year tax abatement on improvements to eligible properties. The Common Council acted to adopt the ordinance at its meeting on August 13, 2002. The ordinance will allow qualified city employees and employees of Norwalk companies to be eligible to receive low cost mortgages and 0% interest rehab loans of up to $35,000 from the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority. Interested persons should contact Michele Mannella at the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency at 854-7810. Additional information is available from the CT Housing Finance Authority at www.chfa.org or by calling Judith Walter at (860) 571-4201. .

MAYOR'S OFFICE, CHAMBER & HDF SPONSOR HOUSING FORUM

Inclusionary zoning for affordable housing discussed

A forum to discuss inclusionary zoning in Norwalk was held on Friday November 22nd. Mayor Alex Knopp organized the event with the Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce and the Housing Development Fund of Lower Fairfield County. The forum brought together residential developers, housing advocates and elected officials to learn how to encourage the inclusion of affordable units in market rate developments. The speakers discussed how to revise existing zoning regulations to encourage developers to provide affordable housing to address the needs of families earning $20,000 - $55,000 per year. For information about the forum or available affordable housing programs, call Joan Carty of HDF at 969-1830.

 

Affordable Rental Housing Rates

Median Family Income	Income available for housing	Maximum Monthly Rent
$20,466	$6,140	$440
$34,110	$10,233	$780
$54,575	$16,373	$1,289
$68,219*	$20,466	$1,630

Note: Norwalk median income from 2000 Census; incomes above represent 30%, 50% & 80% of median, respectively.

Source: Allan Mallach, Rutgers University, 2002.

 

COMMON COUNCIL & ACTION HOUSING LEAD TOUR OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING

216 units of affordable housing built between 1988 - 1998

Matt Miklave, Chairman of the Common Council's Planning Committee, arranged a bus tour of Action Housing developments built over the past decade. The tour was held on Saturday, November 9th and gave new Council members, along with new Planning and Zoning Commissioners, an opportunity to view the more than 200 units of co-op and ownership housing built under Action Housing's leadership. Jim Berge, President of Action Housing narrated the tour which included 5 locations: 48 units at Columbus Court, 39 units at Ben Franklin Gardens, 19 units at Crestwood Co-op, 57 units at San Vincenzo Place and 53 units at Woodfield Commons. For more information about Action Housing or to obtain a copy of their brochure, contact Jim Berge of Action Housing at 855-0125.

N O R W A L K H O U S I N G P A R T N E R S H I P

P. O. BOX 5125 NORWALK, CT 06856-5125 (203) 854-7701

HOUSING PLAN BULLETIN DECEMBER 2002

HOUSING PARTNERSHIP COMMITTEE REPORTS

PLANNING & MONITORING

The Planning & Monitoring Committee, chaired by Larry Bentley, is responsible for the monitoring the objectives outlined in the Partnership's 1990 Housing Plan and the Redevelopment Agency's Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development. Each quarter, the committee produces an Affordable Housing Update to monitor the status of affordable housing developments in Norwalk. For a copy of the most recent Affordable Housing Update report, contact Michele Mannella of the Redevelopment Agency at 854 - 7810.

NEEDS ASSESSMENT & PUBLIC RELATIONS

The Needs Assessment and Public Relations Committee, chaired by Patsy Brescia, evaluates municipal housing needs according to the latest available data. The committee also produces the Housing Plan Bulletin that serves as the primary vehicle for disseminating information about Partnership activities. This issue represents the fortieth issue produced since 1991.

REGIONAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING OUTREACH

The Regional Affordable Housing Outreach Committee, chaired by Carol Frank, responds to the regional nature of affordable housing needs. The 2000 affordable housing inventory prepared by the Dept of Economic & Community Development indicates that most of the 12,224 affordable units in the region, are located in Greenwich, Stamford and Norwalk, as indicated below:

Municipality	Total # of hsg units	1999 assisted units	2000 assisted units	+/- 1999-2000	% assisted
Darien	6,792	87	87	-	1.28%
Greenwich	24,511	1,223	1,242	+19	5.07%
New Canaan	7,141	137	142	+5	1.99%
Norwalk	33,753	4,026	4,070	+44	12.06%
Stamford	47,317	6,374	6,265	-109	13.24%
Westport	10,065	193	181	-12	1.80%
Wilton	6,113	156	237	+81	3.88%

 

 

WESTPORT ADOPTS NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING REGULATIONS

The Town of Westport recently approved new zoning regulations that will allow for the development of up to 39 additional units of affordable housing at Hales Court. The regulations were proposed by the Westport Housing Authority to permit the addition of multifamily dwellings along with 40 single family homes that currently exist on the property.

The Town of Westport currently has 181 units or 1.8% of its housing stock in affordable housing. The addition of 39 units would bring the town up to 2.2% affordable. The units would be made available to families earning 80% of the state median income or roughly $56,000 per year. For more information regarding Hales Court, contact the Westport Housing Authority at 227-4672.

HOUSING PARTNERSHIP MEMBERS & THEIR AFFILIATIONS

Edward Bowers, Fmr Partnership mbr, Chairman

Larry Bentley, Fleet Bank, Vice Chairman

Patsy Brescia, William Pitt Real Estate

Harry C. Carey, Human Services Council

Carol Frank, Norwalk Redevelopment Agency

Barbara Hudgins, Common Council

Roberto Jimenez, Sunrise Management

Alex A. Knopp, Mayor, City of Norwalk

Beverly Krieger, Norwalk Housing Authority

Judith Rivas, Common Council

Stephen Thomas, Norwalk Planning Commission

James White, Norwalk Zoning Commission

Nathaniel Yordon, Action Housing

The Partnership is celebrating its 12th year of operation. Its annual meeting will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2002 at 5:30 pm. All meetings are open to the public.

The Housing Plan Bulletin is a periodic publication of the Norwalk Housing Partnership. The Partnership was established in 1990 and its members include the Mayor, representatives from the business community, clergy, Norwalk Common Council, various city boards and commissions and housing professionals. The Partnership's goal is to promote the development of affordable housing in Norwalk.