Imagine my delight to know that the Mayor, three members of the City Council, a State Representative, and local planning department are present for “putting current City activities” on display. Isn’t that what Warner’s undergarments allowed generations of women to do with a smile as well. What is not revealed is part of the full-bodied story and my questions on City Council on Monday donot routinely receive answers. Land, buildings, residents with or without housing at the moment, taxpayers, and ALL City OFFICIALS should be able to look at redevlopment and HOUSING procedure in Bridgeport with better current info, shouldn’t they?
CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS October 6, 2025
Who speaks for the ‘unhoused’ of our community? That is a new description referring to those who cannot , for one reason or another, find shelter each night from the seasonal elements. As with the birds of the air, we assemble a group of volunteers one day per year for an annual count. That is how we inform ourselves.
Where is an overall HOUSING BOARD or COMMISSION as we had in operation more than 20 years ago? Did the FAIR HOUSING COMMISSION fail to receive Mayoral appointments for a series of years, and failing ability to form quorums and conduct business, disappear in plain sight? And then within the past two years, disappear from the City website? But not from citizen concerned conversations.
As a member of the Charter Commission and a monthly volunteer notetaker at communities of HUD subsidized Bridgeport public housing, I was surprised to see a responsibility in the current Charter (last approved in 1993) for a Commission on Economic Development and Housing? How did that work out for the City, in development terms or in housing terms? How was it missed, or ignored? Or do we just go, with the status quo?
Where is Mayoral pride or statements on Net Grand List development, the basis of fair taxation? And where is the Master plan for housing development and redevelopment in the City? Who speaks for fair housing conditions from diverse members of the citizenry?
Or should we seek out the Affordable Housing News, Summer, 2025 , and an interview of Jillian Baldwin, Director of Park City Communities, successor to the Housing Authority of Bridgeport for such a plan?
Blighted structures or land requiring remediation previous to residential use, are complex challenges for a City looking for large solutions with large price tags. Perhaps a newer approach, working with local construction professionals, might be initiated with City cooperation and encouragement. Will this action produce more housing and serve all the public with a more favorable tax result?
When our sole downtown hotel property was sold for rental use and the City sign for LODGING continues to stand for years, what is the plan? And what are the prices of new rentals for luxury, affordable, workforce, plain folk, and poor folk residents? By the way, I salute Jillian Baldwin for her work of the recent five years, but why did the article on Park City Communities refer to BRIDGEWATER, CT? Who proofread the article draft? Time will tell.
Based on recent federal and state announcements from 2024 and 2025, Bridgeport, CT, has been awarded millions in housing grants for affordable housing development, disaster resiliency, and assistance for renters and first-time homebuyers. Many of these programs are administered through the City of Bridgeport’s Department of Housing and Community Development and the Connecticut Department of Housing (CT DOH).
Federal and state housing grants to Bridgeport
National Disaster Resilience Competition (NDRC): The state received $54.2 million in federal disaster resilience funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), with more than $40 million earmarked for infrastructure and planning projects in Bridgeport. These include storm surge protection and a resilient corridor at the University Avenue campus.
HOME Investment Partnerships Program: Bridgeport received this federal block grant to create affordable housing for low-income households. The program funds the construction and rehabilitation of rental properties and provides down payment and closing cost assistance to first-time homebuyers.
Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Mobility: HUD awarded the CT DOH $4.5 million to expand its mobility services to the greater Bridgeport and New Haven areas. The program assists households with housing choice vouchers to move from high-poverty to high-opportunity areas.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG): Bridgeport receives CDBG funds to develop viable communities by providing decent housing and expanding economic opportunities. These grants support projects that primarily benefit low- and moderate-income individuals.
Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG): Bridgeport receives ESG funds to support emergency shelters, street outreach for the homeless, and prevention and rapid re-housing assistance.
Affordable Housing Fund: In April 2025, the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) announced a new fund to provide grants for smaller, nonprofit developers building affordable homes. Bridgeport’s Housing Development Fund is an administrator of this program.
Where to find information on local grant awards
For the most current information on specific grant recipients and awards in Bridgeport, you can look for announcements and reports from the following organizations:
City of Bridgeport Department of Housing and Community Development: This department manages several HUD-funded programs and would have direct information on grant allocations within the city.
Connecticut Department of Housing (CT DOH): The state agency administers federal and state housing programs and announces grant awards through its press releases.
Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA): This quasi-public agency is involved in funding many affordable housing developments and initiatives across the state.
Non-profit organizations: Local housing non-profits like Building Neighborhoods Together may receive grant funding for their services. The City of Bridgeport’s website lists recent allocations to various non-profits.
Despite the massive funding and a BOOMING economy since 2020:
What is the poverty rate in Bridgeport CT?
AI Overview
+1
The poverty rate for Bridgeport, CT is approximately 22.54%, though the most recent and comprehensive data may vary depending on the source and year of the study. For context, Connecticut’s overall poverty rate in 2023 was around 10.3%.
Poverty Data for Bridgeport:
22.54% Poverty Rate: as cited by World Population Review
The city’s poverty rate is significantly higher than the state average, according to Statista and other sources.
It’s good to see the corsets dropped.
Imagine my delight to know that the Mayor, three members of the City Council, a State Representative, and local planning department are present for “putting current City activities” on display. Isn’t that what Warner’s undergarments allowed generations of women to do with a smile as well. What is not revealed is part of the full-bodied story and my questions on City Council on Monday donot routinely receive answers. Land, buildings, residents with or without housing at the moment, taxpayers, and ALL City OFFICIALS should be able to look at redevlopment and HOUSING procedure in Bridgeport with better current info, shouldn’t they?
CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS October 6, 2025
Who speaks for the ‘unhoused’ of our community? That is a new description referring to those who cannot , for one reason or another, find shelter each night from the seasonal elements. As with the birds of the air, we assemble a group of volunteers one day per year for an annual count. That is how we inform ourselves.
Where is an overall HOUSING BOARD or COMMISSION as we had in operation more than 20 years ago? Did the FAIR HOUSING COMMISSION fail to receive Mayoral appointments for a series of years, and failing ability to form quorums and conduct business, disappear in plain sight? And then within the past two years, disappear from the City website? But not from citizen concerned conversations.
As a member of the Charter Commission and a monthly volunteer notetaker at communities of HUD subsidized Bridgeport public housing, I was surprised to see a responsibility in the current Charter (last approved in 1993) for a Commission on Economic Development and Housing? How did that work out for the City, in development terms or in housing terms? How was it missed, or ignored? Or do we just go, with the status quo?
Where is Mayoral pride or statements on Net Grand List development, the basis of fair taxation? And where is the Master plan for housing development and redevelopment in the City? Who speaks for fair housing conditions from diverse members of the citizenry?
Or should we seek out the Affordable Housing News, Summer, 2025 , and an interview of Jillian Baldwin, Director of Park City Communities, successor to the Housing Authority of Bridgeport for such a plan?
Blighted structures or land requiring remediation previous to residential use, are complex challenges for a City looking for large solutions with large price tags. Perhaps a newer approach, working with local construction professionals, might be initiated with City cooperation and encouragement. Will this action produce more housing and serve all the public with a more favorable tax result?
When our sole downtown hotel property was sold for rental use and the City sign for LODGING continues to stand for years, what is the plan? And what are the prices of new rentals for luxury, affordable, workforce, plain folk, and poor folk residents? By the way, I salute Jillian Baldwin for her work of the recent five years, but why did the article on Park City Communities refer to BRIDGEWATER, CT? Who proofread the article draft? Time will tell.
Follow the money:
Based on recent federal and state announcements from 2024 and 2025, Bridgeport, CT, has been awarded millions in housing grants for affordable housing development, disaster resiliency, and assistance for renters and first-time homebuyers. Many of these programs are administered through the City of Bridgeport’s Department of Housing and Community Development and the Connecticut Department of Housing (CT DOH).
Federal and state housing grants to Bridgeport
National Disaster Resilience Competition (NDRC): The state received $54.2 million in federal disaster resilience funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), with more than $40 million earmarked for infrastructure and planning projects in Bridgeport. These include storm surge protection and a resilient corridor at the University Avenue campus.
HOME Investment Partnerships Program: Bridgeport received this federal block grant to create affordable housing for low-income households. The program funds the construction and rehabilitation of rental properties and provides down payment and closing cost assistance to first-time homebuyers.
Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Mobility: HUD awarded the CT DOH $4.5 million to expand its mobility services to the greater Bridgeport and New Haven areas. The program assists households with housing choice vouchers to move from high-poverty to high-opportunity areas.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG): Bridgeport receives CDBG funds to develop viable communities by providing decent housing and expanding economic opportunities. These grants support projects that primarily benefit low- and moderate-income individuals.
Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG): Bridgeport receives ESG funds to support emergency shelters, street outreach for the homeless, and prevention and rapid re-housing assistance.
Affordable Housing Fund: In April 2025, the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) announced a new fund to provide grants for smaller, nonprofit developers building affordable homes. Bridgeport’s Housing Development Fund is an administrator of this program.
Where to find information on local grant awards
For the most current information on specific grant recipients and awards in Bridgeport, you can look for announcements and reports from the following organizations:
City of Bridgeport Department of Housing and Community Development: This department manages several HUD-funded programs and would have direct information on grant allocations within the city.
Connecticut Department of Housing (CT DOH): The state agency administers federal and state housing programs and announces grant awards through its press releases.
Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA): This quasi-public agency is involved in funding many affordable housing developments and initiatives across the state.
Non-profit organizations: Local housing non-profits like Building Neighborhoods Together may receive grant funding for their services. The City of Bridgeport’s website lists recent allocations to various non-profits.
Despite the massive funding and a BOOMING economy since 2020:
What is the poverty rate in Bridgeport CT?
AI Overview
+1
The poverty rate for Bridgeport, CT is approximately 22.54%, though the most recent and comprehensive data may vary depending on the source and year of the study. For context, Connecticut’s overall poverty rate in 2023 was around 10.3%.
Poverty Data for Bridgeport:
22.54% Poverty Rate: as cited by World Population Review
The city’s poverty rate is significantly higher than the state average, according to Statista and other sources.