Housing construction for the mixed-income $190 million latest phase of the Steelpointe Harbor redevelopment area is underway. The Margaret Morton Government C enter is hosting a jobs fair Thursday from 4-7 p.m. seeking trade workers.
Named The August, covering 6.5 acres of the 52-acre site slightly east of Downtown, property owner RCI Group, led by Robert Christoph Jr., has partnered with midwest-based builder Flaherty & Collins Properties. The project features 420 upscale units, 10,000 square feet of commercial space, fitness center, swimming pool along the harbor, saunas, pickleball, outdoor balconies, pet park, co-working cafe lounge and five-story parking garage
The project includes 160 units classified as work force housing to open up opportunities for professionals such as public employees and healthcare workers whose income levels would be out of reach for this type of luxury housing.
State housing officials engineered the housing set aside last year. The work force apartments will include studios to three-bedroom units, with rents starting around $2,000 per month, an average of roughly $400 per month savings from market rate.
The $190 million project includes a financial collaboration of $111 million with local and national lenders led by Old National Bank.
A Residence Inn by Marriott is scheduled to commence construction in 2025 on adjacent property, according to developers.
State housing officials engineered the housing set aside last year to (circumvent) Public Act 17-170.
Public Act 17-170 established a requirement that Connecticut municipalities adopt Affordable Housing Plans. PA 21-29 established an initial deadline of June 1, 2022 for municipalities to have adopted their first Affordable Housing Plans (an every five years thereafter). It also explicitly allows Affordable Housing Plans to be updated concurrently with Plans of Conservation and Development.
PA 21-29 established an initial deadline of June 1, 2022 for municipalities to have adopted their first Affordable Housing Plans (and every five years thereafter) as required by CGS Section 8-30j. It also explicitly allowed Affordable Housing Plans to be updated concurrently with the Plan of Conservation & Development (for one of the two five-year periods within the 10-year POCD cycle).
In 2020, the Connecticut Department of Housing announced the availability of grant funding on a first-come, first-served basis to support municipalities preparing Affordable Housing Plans. A second round of funding was announced in 2021 with an application deadline of August 31. Visit DOH’s site for full information.
In partnership with the CT Department of Housing, Regional Plan Association prepare a guidebook for municipalities preparing Affordable Housing Plans.
Examples of Affordable Housing Plans/Processes
Many municipalities have prepared Affordable Housing Plans prior to or since the adoption of PA 17-170 or are currently developing plans:
East Lyme (2009)
Essex (2019)
Fairfield (2014) and Affordable Housing Committee
Farmington (2021)
Salem (2021)
Salisbury (2018)
Hampton (2021)
Mansfield (2021)
Newington (2021)
North Stonington (2021)
Old Saybrook (2021)
Stratford (2021)
Weston (2021)
Windsor Locks (2021)
Statute
How does a state housing official override a State Statue?
Maybe someone running for state office can explain.
ATTENTION OF BRIDGEPORT RESIDENTS is the call from the top of the City of Bridgeport flyer above.
Housing on 6.5 acres of land and a gathering tomorrow from 4-7PM at City Hall. Workers of many trades are required to build 160 units of work force housing if I understand what I am reading.
What about current Bridgeport residents in more than 750 units on about 5 acres of City land? Where is the “Success Village Apartment” meeting at City Hall? How can the City assist them in resolving their more immediate issues? There are multiple unit owners who are tax payers. A public gathering, especially about financial affairs, resident rights, hot water and heating resolutions to problem and what a Fair Housing Commission, available and active might offer these folks may be appropriate today.
Are there too few qualified trades people at the moment? How does a private owner of real estate apply for and secure City space and support for their project? To whom does one apply in which Department? What does the Law of Supply and Demand indicate to rational folks with money and a plan? Time will tell.