Hill House Expansion in Riverside Moves a Step Forward

The expansion of Hill House, the senior housing complex in Riverside, recently moved another step forward.

Gov. Dannell Malloy recently signed Connecticut bonding legislation that will fund growth and development of low and moderate income housing for seniors and others in need of below market housing.

Attending the signing on behalf of Hill House, an independent not-for-profit charitable and non-sectarian senior residence for well, elderly located in Riverside, were Hill House board President Sam Telerico, board vice president Dolly Powers, and State Rep. Livvy R. Floren (R-149).

Hill House was founded in 1978 in response to the need for increased elderly housing as identified by the Greenwich Commission on Aging, and the increased demand and need for additional below-market housing.

Hill House grew from space leased from St. Catherine of Siena Church to its existing facility with 37 apartments on adjacent land at 10 Riverside Ave. The new Hill House was built with a combination of funding from the State of Connecticut, Town of Greenwich Community Development Block Grants, and community contributions.

With the bonding approval, the facility will be expanded with 24 additional apartments, for a total of 61 apartments. The State of Connecticut is providing $7,464,053 through the bonding program, while Hill House is committed to raising additional funds for the expansion and its impact on operating expenses.

Telerico said in a statement, “We are grateful to Governor Malloy and the Connecticut Department of Housing for their extraordinary diligence and assistance in working with us to make this expansion of Hill House a reality. Our own fiscal stewardship with strong reserves strengthened our application and gave us the capacity to move forward.”

Floren said, “Connecticut has the fifth highest percentage of residents over 65 years of age in our nation, and the service needs of our aging population are monumental. Hill House offers housing, nutrition, social and physical activity, and a strong sense of community. The State of Connecticut is making a sound investment in the long term well-being of seniors that will be here for generations.”

Powers said in a statement, “We are blessed with convergence of resources that together make for a strong public-private collaboration that ensures a vibrant future for low and moderate income well elderly.”

For information on Hill House, call 203-637-3177 or online, visit www.hillhousefriends.org.

Contributed photo: from left, Sam Telerico, Gov. Dannel Malloy, Hill House board vice chair Dolly Powers and state Rep. Livvy Floren.